Surf Forecasts:
Clifton Beach surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,952 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Clifton Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Clifton Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Clifton Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Clifton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and I've got the story on Clifton Beach. This is a bit of a mixed bag, so let's get into it.
Right now, it's looking pretty ordinary through the first couple of days. We've got a weak, long-period SSW swell rolling in, but with a fair bit of wind on it. The water temp is sitting at 53°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year—nothing weird going on there.
It's not until Sunday the 30th of August that things get interesting. This is the standout. We're looking at a solid 8 ft SW swell with a moderate combined energy of 3450. It's a groundswell with a 14-second period, so it's got some proper grunt. The wind goes light and glassy on the Sunday morning, then again on the Monday morning the 31st, with a light offshore from the NW. That Monday morning window is the pick: clean, 8 ft swell, and the energy is still high at 2750. This is for experienced surfers only, though—that size is no joke.
The late afternoon on Monday the 31st is the other real highlight. Swell drops back to a much more manageable 4 ft, but it swings around to a clean SSW direction with a very long 18-second period. The wind goes glassy (ENE at 3 mph). The combined energy is a solid 1262, and this would be a magic window for a more relaxed board. That's proper quality.
The first week of September gets a bit hit and miss. There are a few clean mornings with offshore winds, like the 1st and 2nd, but the swell is a bit smaller, around 2 to 3 ft. The wind is clean though. Then we get a howling westerly on the 4th and 5th of September which will ruin it. The 5th of September morning actually cleans up with a NNW cross-off at 16 mph and a 4 ft swell, but the energy is only moderate at 911, so it's not the same quality.
Looking further out, the week starting the 7th of September gets big again—10 ft on the Monday morning (7th)—but it's also accompanied by strong onshore winds, so it will be a total mess.
The real long-range standout is shaping up for Thursday the 10th of September. It's a promising call, so don't get too locked in just yet. The morning shows a 4 ft SSW swell with a very long 18-second period and a clean offshore from the NNW at 12 mph. That's an excellent recipe for Clifton. The energy is moderate at 954.
Bottom line: Your absolute best bets are Monday the 31st of August morning for the big, clean swell (experts only), and Monday the 31st of August afternoon for that glassy, long-period, smaller wave. The 10th of September morning also looks like a real gem if it holds up.
Stay safe out there.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
186 | 234 | 186 | 218 | 437 | 744 | 2687 | 2254 | 1977 | 2126 | 929 | 686 | 333 | 183 | 519 | 353 | 737 | 597 | 309 | 289 | 226 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 6:16PM0.65m | 7:54AM0.47m | 7:10PM0.61m | 8:29AM0.51m | 8:11PM0.57m | 9:07AM0.55m | 9:22PM0.52m | 9:46AM0.59m | 10:41PM0.48m | 10:30AM0.63m | 00:06AM0.45m | 11:18AM0.67m | 1:31AM0.44m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:45AM0.32m | 1:32AM0.14m | 12:53PM0.31m | 2:07AM0.17m | 2:05PM0.28m | 2:43AM0.21m | 3:19PM0.25m | 3:21AM0.25m | 4:32PM0.20m | 4:01AM0.29m | 5:43PM0.15m | 4:44AM0.33m | 6:50PM0.10m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 10 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
186 | 170 | 186 | 218 | 437 | 744 | 763 | 563 | 536 | 497 | 929 | 686 | 333 | 183 | 519 | 353 | 737 | 597 | 309 | 289 | 226 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | ESE 10 | E 9 | — | — | E 9 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | — | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
43 | 29 | 142 | 118 | 9 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 127 | 333 | — | 17 | 7 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | NE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | — | — | — | NE 9 | E 9 | — | S 12 | SE 12 | SSE 12 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 11 | — | — | E 11 |
58 | 3 | 19 | 9 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | 5 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | SW 13 | W 3 | SW 12 | W 3 | W 3 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | — | — | N 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | — | N 3 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | WSW 4 |
49 | 234 | 1 | 1447 | 3 | 1 | 2687 | 2254 | 1977 | 2126 | — | — | 4 | 9 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 22 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 92 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 584 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Coast of Tasmania | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Clifton Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Clifton Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Clifton Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Clifton Beach surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Clifton Beach) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Clifton Beach may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in East Coast of Tasmania? If you are looking for accommodation near Clifton Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in East Coast of Tasmania, consider staying in Hobart which is 21 km (13 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Port Arthur which is 30 km (19 miles) away











