Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve been watching Clifton Beach like a hawk. Let’s run through what’s coming up over the next couple of weeks, in feet and Fahrenheit for you.

The water temp is about 53°, which is a touch under 2° cooler than normal for this time of year – not a big deal, but a bit cooler than average, so layer up.

First few days are a real struggle. Monday the 13th has a 5ft SSW groundswell with a long 16-second period, combined energy of 1055 (moderate), but the wind is a strong WNW cross-off at 25 mph, and it’s just poor. The afternoon is bigger at 6ft, 17 seconds, but same cross-off wind and rain. Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th drop to 4-4ft with cross or cross-on winds – messy and marginal. Don’t bother.

Thursday the 16th is a little window of hope. The morning goes glassy – dead calm – with a 4ft SSW swell, 16 seconds, and 612 combined energy. Small but clean. The afternoon stays glassy with 3ft. Not a standout, but a quiet session for the patient.

Now, Friday the 17th is the first real standout. Morning brings a 4ft SSW swell with an 18-second period, combined energy of 1211 (strong), and a light NNW offshore breeze at 9 mph. The report says “very good surf conditions,” and I agree. The afternoon stays clean with 4ft. That’s your pick for the first week. Clean, long-period groundswell, offshore wind. Crowds are often, so expect a few in the water.

Saturday the 18th is still clean with glassy or offshore conditions, but the swell drops to 2ft. It’s surfable, but you’ll be on a longboard. Sunday the 19th is smaller again, 2-2ft, with periods down to 11-12 seconds. Ordinary.

The next week, from Monday the 20th to Thursday the 24th, is a real dead zone. Swell sits at 1.0ft for days, combined energy under 100 (weak). The wind is offshore sometimes, but there’s no push. That’s a solid five-day gap of nothing.

Then, on Friday the 24th of July, we get a late pulse. The morning shows a 5ft SSW swell, 18-second period, combined energy of 1150 (strong), with a light WSW cross-off at 3 mph. The report says marginal, but the ingredients are there. It’s a promising long-range call, but keep an eye on tide.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are a mixed bag. Saturday morning is clean with 3ft and offshore winds – a nice little session. But Sunday the 26th morning is the other standout: 5ft SSW swell, 16-second period, combined energy of 1048 (moderate), and a moderate offshore NNE breeze at 12 mph. The report says “very good surf conditions.” That’s the biggest size of the outlook, and with offshore flow, it’ll be clean and solid. Beginners might find 5ft a bit much, and crowds are likely.

After that, it fades. Monday the 27th has a fresh cross-off wind that kills it, and Tuesday the 28th is small and clean but nothing special.

Best bets: Friday morning the 17th and Sunday morning the 26th. Clean offshore, solid groundswell. The 17th is closer and more reliable, the 26th is bigger but further out. Avoid the middle gaps.

Rusty.

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