
Surf Forecasts:
Clifton Beach surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 5,750 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 19s 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 19s period. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Clifton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Clifton Beach. The outlook is a bit of a slow burner, but there’s a definite window of quality surf coming up if you’re patient.
The first few days are pretty ordinary with small, choppy waves. Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th are a write-off for the most part, with onshore winds and messy conditions. By Tuesday afternoon, the wind goes light and cross-offshore, and we get a clean 2.3ft SSW swell with a very long period of 18 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, but it’s small. The combined energy is moderate, sitting at 448. It’s surfable, but you’ll be fighting for little runners.
The real standout window starts to build on Friday the 14th. The morning sees a 5.2ft SSW swell, period of 17 seconds, and a light cross-offshore breeze from the NW. The conditions are clean, and the combined energy here is a solid 1470, which is a strong, powerful pulse. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no major surprises there. This is your best bet of the entire forecast, but be aware that it’s a fairly exposed beach break, so that long-period groundswell might wall up and close out sections. It’s not a point break, so pick your peak carefully.
Saturday the 15th ramps up in size but the quality drops. An 8.2ft SW swell rolls in with a shorter 14-second period, but the wind is onshore and the energy is a massive 3685. That’s a lot of water moving, but onshore wind and big swell makes for a messy, choppy, dangerous day. This is only for experts, and honestly, with that wind and the beach break setup, it looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
After that, the swell fades quickly. The rest of the second week drops back to tiny, weak waves below 2.3ft with very low combined energy (mostly under 300). There are some glassy mornings with clean conditions, like on the 16th and 17th, but the swell is just too small to get excited about. The 16th afternoon has a glassy 2.3ft SSW swell, but it’s weak. The 18th morning has a clean 2.0ft S swell with a solid 18-second period, but again, it’s tiny. The 19th through the 25th are mostly small, clean, offshore winds, but the waves are less than 1.6ft. It’s a long, flat spell after the 15th, so don’t plan any trips around the end of the forecast.
In the end, Friday the 14th morning is the clear winner. Get on it.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun night, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | S 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
314 | 340 | 315 | 142 | 84 | 329 | 304 | 371 | 422 | 612 | 885 | 1255 | 3462 | 1470 | 1091 | 730 | 2976 | 849 | 383 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | on | on | off |
High Tide | 6:02AM0.41m | 4:12PM0.79m | 7:04AM0.41m | 5:07PM0.78m | 7:58AM0.41m | 6:00PM0.75m | 8:43AM0.42m | 6:54PM0.70m | 9:21AM0.44m | 7:48PM0.63m | 9:52AM0.47m | 8:44PM0.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:10PM-0.01m | 9:16AM0.36m | 00:08AM-0.01m | 10:09AM0.37m | 1:02AM0.00m | 11:08AM0.37m | 1:51AM0.04m | 12:14PM0.37m | 2:35AM0.09m | 1:27PM0.36m | 3:12AM0.15m | 2:45PM0.35m | 3:40AM0.21m | ||||||
— | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | S 14 |
314 | 340 | 315 | 142 | 24 | 329 | 304 | 371 | 422 | 612 | 885 | 1255 | 3462 | 1470 | 1091 | 730 | 336 | 849 | 383 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 8 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 12 | E 12 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 17 | E 9 | E 9 |
27 | 34 | 47 | 28 | 84 | 28 | 33 | 37 | 18 | 17 | 24 | 24 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 373 | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | — | — | — | E 9 | SW 14 | E 15 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 10 | — | E 12 | — | NE 8 | SE 11 | E 8 | E 13 | E 13 |
3 | — | — | — | 27 | 119 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 18 | — | 11 | — | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SW 6 | — | N 3 | W 3 | WSW 4 | W 4 | WNW 3 | W 3 | — | — | — | WNW 3 | SW 14 | SW 5 | — |
112 | — | 3 | 14 | 73 | — | 1 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 2976 | 29 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 8 | 224 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 14 | 4 | 32 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
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











