Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Imperial Units

Alright, let's talk about Clifton Beach in real-world terms. The next couple of weeks are a slow start, but there's some quality waiting if you're keen to wait.

The water is about 52°F, which is about normal for this time of year. You won't need a heavyweight wetsuit, but you'll want a decent one.

There's a big lull at the start, with nothing much happening until Saturday the 22nd. Saturday morning is a bit of a mess – a 4ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, but the wind is a fresh 30 km/h cross-shore, whipping up lumpy conditions. The wave energy is moderate (792). The afternoon cleans up with a lighter cross-shore, and the swell bumps to 5ft (1016 energy), but it's still a bit iffy.

Sunday the 23rd is a better bet. The morning is clean with a 3ft SSW swell and a WNW wind, though it's a bit weak. The afternoon is the pick of the early days – a clean 3ft swell with a gentle offshore cross-off breeze. Small, but clean as a whistle.

Now, the real standout is the end of the month. Saturday the 29th of August is looking excellent. The morning has a solid 6ft S swell (1090 energy) with a light offshore from the NNE. That's going to be clean, punchy, and with plenty of power. The afternoon holds up with a 5ft S swell and a clean cross-off breeze. This is your best window in the first week.

Then, you need to mark Monday the 31st of August on your calendar. The morning is a serious standout. A 5ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period, combined with a clean offshore NNE wind. The energy is massive at 2062. This is for experienced surfers only – it's going to be powerful, clean, and the sets will be lined up. The afternoon is a bit more mixed with a 7ft SSE swell and a strong cross-off wind, but the morning is the money time.

So, the strategy is simple: be patient. The Saturday and Monday of the 29th and 31st are where it's at. The rest is a waiting game.

Rusty.

Read more