Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for our stretch of coast.

The next couple of days are a bit of a slow start, but there’s a solid window of fun, clean waves on the way from Saturday morning through Sunday. After that, it gets a bit messy and inconsistent for a while, with a few good windows popping up again further out towards the middle of the month.

The main event is Clifton Beach. The water temp is sitting at 53°, which is about 1° cooler than usual for this time of year – nothing crazy, just a touch of winter bite.

Friday afternoon (31 July): It’s glassy right now, with a tiny 1 ft south swell rolling in. The period is a very long 20 seconds, so there’s some energy in the water (138 combined energy), but it’s pretty small and ordinary. Not worth paddling out for.

Saturday morning (1 August): This is where it gets interesting. We’ve got a clean 3 ft SSW groundswell with a 18-second period (491 combined energy) and a nice offshore NNW breeze at 9 mph. The conditions are looking good – clean lines with that long-period push. This is a solid option for a morning session.

Saturday afternoon (1 August): The swell bumps up to 4 ft from the SSW, still with a 18-second period. The wind goes light cross-offshore from the NNW at 6 mph. The combined energy jumps right up to 1032, which is a strong pulse of energy. This is the standout of the weekend – clean, decent size, and that long-period groundswell will reel in nicely. The crowds at Clifton are often around, so expect some company.

Sunday morning (2 August): Still good. A 3 ft south swell with a 17-second period, and a clean offshore N wind at 12 mph (581 combined energy). Another great session for those who like a bit more push.

Sunday afternoon (2 August): Drops back to 3 ft SSW, still offshore from the N at 9 mph. Good, but the morning was the pick.

Monday (3 August) onward: The swell drops off quickly. Monday morning is 2 ft, and by Monday afternoon it’s feeble with a cross-on breeze. From Tuesday (4 August) through to Thursday (6 August), it’s a write-off – strong onshore winds, rain, and messy, short-period windswell. The only thing worth noting is Tuesday afternoon has 5 ft from the SSE, but with a 28 mph onshore wind and a 8-second period, that’s a blown-out, choppy mess – only for the hardcore or the kite surfers.

Friday morning (7 August): A little glimmer. A 2 ft SSW groundswell with a 19-second period, and a clean offshore N breeze at 9 mph (294 combined energy). Small, but clean if you’re desperate.

Saturday (8 August) to Thursday (13 August): Mostly small, clean but weak surf, or messy with strong winds. A few windows of offshore wind, but the swell is tiny (1 ft to 3 ft). Nothing to get excited about.

Friday morning (14 August): A bit of a pulse. 3 ft SSW, 17-second period, with a moderate offshore NNW breeze at 12 mph (354 combined energy). This looks promising again – clean, with enough energy for a fun session.

Saturday morning (15 August): This is the other standout in the long range. A 3 ft SSW groundswell, 18-second period, with a light cross-offshore NNW breeze at 6 mph (468 combined energy). It’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it, but the ingredients are there for a really clean, fun morning.

So, the best on offer is Saturday afternoon (1 August) at Clifton Beach – 4 ft SSW groundswell, light cross-offshore wind, and strong energy. The second best is Saturday morning (15 August) – smaller but looking clean with that long-period groundswell.

Rusty.

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