Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks at Clifton Beach.

To be honest, the first few days are a bit of a write-off. We’ve got some solid groundswell energy coming in, with that combined energy reading 1450 (moderate to strong), but the wind is out of the WNW at 16 mph, which is a messy cross-off. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing to worry about there. Friday and Saturday mornings have some rideable swell, but the conditions are just not there. Sunday morning (the 6th) is a glimmer of hope, but we’re down to 1 ft of swell, so it’s barely a ripple.

There’s a big gap of poor surf here until we get a bit of a window. Tuesday morning (the 8th) shows a little pulse of 2 ft from the SSW with a very long period of 18 seconds, and the wind is a clean NNW cross-off. That’s a glassy, clean start, but the swell is tiny. It’s a shame, because the energy is there (295).

Now, don’t get too excited about the big numbers coming in. Wednesday the 9th brings a massive 8 ft to 12 ft swell from the SSW with periods around 17 to 19 seconds, and the combined energy is through the roof (4285 to 10036). That’s strong to very strong energy, but the wind is a brutal cross-on from the SW at 22 to 25 mph. This is going to be a washing machine – big, messy, and dangerous. Only for the absolute experts, and even then, it’s not clean. It’s more of a kite-surfing day than a paddle-surfing day.

The standout of the whole forecast comes on Thursday the 10th. The afternoon session has a 13 ft S/SW groundswell (period of 16 seconds) and the combined energy is a massive 10563. The wind is a light cross-on from the SW, making it a bit choppy, but the file says the tide and wind are favorable. This is a big, powerful swell and it’s going to be too big for beginners, but for experienced surfers, this is a proper session. You’ll have to fight for it, but the waves will be there.

After that, the swell drops back down. Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th have some clean windows with offshore winds (N/NW and N at 3 mph), but we’re looking at 4 ft to 4 ft of SSW swell. The energy is moderate (529 to 669). It’ll be clean, fun, and manageable for most, but not the heavy stuff we saw earlier.

Looking into the second week, Monday the 14th through Wednesday the 16th is mostly small and average, with a few clean mornings but really weak energy (68 to 169). There’s a pulse of 6 ft to 6 ft on Tuesday the 15th, but the wind is a stiff cross-off, so it’s not the best.

The real long-range promise is on Thursday the 17th, but it’s the same story as the 9th – a massive 10 ft SSW groundswell with a very long period (18 seconds) and strong energy (11730), but the wind is a gentle cross-on, so it’ll be lumpy. It’s a promise, but a messy one.

The absolute best bet for a clean, solid session is Friday the 18th morning. We’ve got a 5 ft SSW groundswell (period of 17 seconds), a light offshore wind from the NNW at 6 mph, and the combined energy is a solid 1716. The file says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. It’s clean, it’s got power, and it’s the best wave of the window. If you can get out, that’s your day.

Rusty.

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