Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got a frustrating 16-day window ahead. The first week is a real mixed bag of onshore slop, wind shifts, and marginal conditions. The real standout is a single window about 5 days out that looks absolutely pumping. The rest of the run is small, clean, but weak—perfect for a longboard on the right tide, but nothing to get the heart racing.

Right now, Tuesday morning, we’re looking at a fresh N wind blowing straight offshore at 22 mph at Clifton Beach. That’s cleaning up a 3 ft SSW swell with a long 15-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 390, but it’s a bit of a tease—the rating says it’s marginal, likely a tide issue. The water is 53°, just a touch below normal for this time of year. Tuesday afternoon eases off a bit, wind goes cross-off, still some clean lines but the swell drops to 3 ft.

Wednesday morning is a repeat: 3 ft, 17-second period SSW groundswell, cross-off NW wind, clean but small. The energy is 433. Then Wednesday afternoon turns ugly—a strong SW onshore wind at 28 mph, cross-on and messy, with a 7 ft SSW swell that’s too big and blown out. That’s a kite day, not a paddle day.

Thursday is all cross-shore wind and chop. 3 ft to 4 ft, short period, energy in the 200s. Not worth it. Friday improves slightly with a light cross-off breeze and a small 1 ft to 2 ft SSW swell, 12-second period. Clean but very weak. Energy drops to 92 on Friday morning.

Now, Saturday, 1st of August. This is the one. Saturday morning is already looking good: clear skies, NNW offshore wind at 12 mph, 3 ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, moderate energy of 508. But Saturday afternoon is the absolute standout. Gentle offshore breeze from the north at 9 mph, the swell bumps to 5 ft, the period hits 20 seconds—that’s a very long period groundswell. The combined energy jumps to 1636, which is strong. The wave comment says “excellent for experienced surfers,” and that’s spot on. This is a proper, powerful, clean swell. The 5 ft is solid, and the offshore wind will make it glassy. For a beach break, that long period can make it a bit straight, but with that wind and size, Clifton will have some nice lines. This is your session. The crowds are “often” at Clifton so expect a few others with the same idea.

Sunday and Monday (2nd and 3rd August) are a write-off. Strong WSW cross-on wind, choppy, messy. The swell is smaller and the energy is moderate but the wind is a killer. Not worth a paddle.

Tuesday 4th sees a tiny respite: a light cross-off NW wind on Tuesday morning, a 2 ft S swell, 11-second period, energy only 147. Clean but ordinary. Tuesday afternoon goes onshore from the SSE.

Wednesday 5th morning is a late highlight: clear skies, light NNW cross-off wind, 2 ft SSW swell, 17-second period, energy 351. The report says “expect good surf conditions.” It’s small but clean. Wednesday afternoon goes cross-on and is marginal.

The second week, from Thursday 6th onwards, is all small, clean, and weak. Offshore winds are common, but the swell drops to 2 ft, then 1 ft, then 0.7 ft, and even 0.3 ft by the 12th. The energy falls into the double digits and low hundreds. The period is long, but there’s just no power. It’s a longboard or a flat spell, especially for a beach break. The long period groundswells just won’t have enough push. The pattern is a lot of clean, glassy mornings with virtually no wave.

So, to sum it up: the one true standout is Saturday 1st August afternoon. Get out there. The rest of the window is either blown out or too small for anything exciting. Keep an eye on the forecasts, but between now and next Sunday, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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