Cliffs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be honest, it’s a pretty quiet stretch overall. The first week and a half is really not offering much in the way of proper surf, and we’ve got a long blank run to start. The first sign of anything remotely rideable doesn't show up until August 12th, so we’re talking about a good week with nothing to get excited about. After that, it’s still pretty marginal, with just one or two days that might be worth a paddle.

The only break on our radar here is Cliffs, a beach and reef setup that’s exposed to a southerly swell. That’s your lot. The water temp is sitting at a very warm 81°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

For the first week, from the 5th through to the 11th of August, it’s a dead loss. We’re seeing tiny swell of just 1ft to 3ft, with periods all over the place. The energy is weak, mostly under 300 (combined swell energy), and the wind is a persistent cross-off from the ENE or NE, blowing at 15 to 22 mph. The reports are all screaming “poor surf conditions,” and I can’t argue with that. Not worth getting the wetsuit wet.

Now, let’s talk about the one faint glimmer in this outlook. On Wednesday August 12th and into Thursday August 13th, we finally see a pulse of S swell pushing the wave height to 3ft to 4ft, with a period of 16 to 18 seconds. That long period means it’s a proper groundswell, but it’s also a caveat here – long period S swell at a beach break like Cliffs can tend to close out a bit. The combined energy jumps into the strong range (around 861 on Wednesday morning), so there’s some push. The wind stays cross-off from the ENE or NE, which is clean enough. However, the forecast calls it “marginal” due to tide or other factors. It’s the best we’ve got, but it’s nothing to write home about. The swell direction is SSW to S, and the optimum for this break is S, so it’s a good match there.

From August 14th onwards, it fades again. The wind really picks up on the 14th and 15th – we’re looking at a strong breeze from the ENE at 25 to 28 mph. That’s going to chop things up. The swell drops back to 2ft to 3ft with shorter periods, and the energy fades. The rest of the run into the 20th is just more of the same: small, inconsistent, and wind-affected.

So, what’s the call? If you’re desperate for a surf, the only window is Wednesday August 12th at Cliffs. It’s a small window, the conditions are only marginal, and the wind is just okay. Not a standout, not a classic, but it’s the only show in town. For the rest? Honestly, with that persistent cross-off wind and small swell, the setup might actually look more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, if you’re into that. Otherwise, keep the board in the car.

Stay salty.
Rusty.

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