Clifton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.99° S 147.53° E

Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Clifton Beach sea temperature is
11.8°C
0.0° 

Clifton Beach surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,398 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period with S 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Clifton Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 14s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sat 12th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf10PM (Wed 16th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Most Powerful10PM (Wed 16th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Clifton Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s comin’ down the pipe at Clifton Beach.

We start off with a bit of lull, but it picks up quick. The first surf worth paddlin’ out for is this Saturday morning, the 12th of September. Got a clean 4ft south swell with a long 16-second period pushin’ in. That’s proper groundswell energy, moderate wave energy churnin’ through (912). Wind’s off the NNE at just 3 mph, glassy as can be. Water temp’s sittin’ at 53°, bang on average for this time of year. This is the standout of the whole window—clean, good push, easy to get into a rhythm. That Saturday afternoon stays tidy with a smaller 4ft south swell and light cross-off breeze, but the morning is where it’s at.

Sunday morning the 13th holds a smaller 3ft SSW swell, still a long 16-second period, and a moderate offshore from the NNW at 12 mph keeps it clean. The combined energy dips a bit (333), but it’s still surfable and fun for a cruisy session.

Then we hit a dry spell. Monday the 14th through most of the following week is a write-off—tiny waves, poor conditions, cross-onshore winds, and messy churned-up water. There’s a spike of size midweek with a 5ft SSW swell on Wednesday afternoon the 16th, but the wind’s howlin’ cross-on from the WSW at 16 mph, so it’s gonna be lumpy and ugly. Not for paddlin’. That stretch from Monday the 14th right through to Friday the 18th is mostly poor or marginal; the only bright spot is Friday morning with a 4ft SSW swell and a 17-second period, but winds are up again, so it’s touch and go.

Now, look ahead to the 22nd of September—Tuesday morning—that’s another one to circle on the calendar. Clean 5ft SSW groundswell with a long 17-second period, light NW cross-off breeze at 6 mph. Energy’s solid (1186), and conditions are clean. That’s a ripper session for anyone who’s patient.

Wednesday the 23rd morning is a little gem too: 4ft SSW swell, 16-second period, 3 mph NNE breeze, and glassy as a mirror. Combined energy sits at (749). That’s a beautiful morning for a longboard or a mid-length.

Then the real crown jewel shows up on Friday the 25th of September morning. A 5ft SSW swell with a massive 19-second period—very long period groundswell. Light offshore NNE breeze at 6 mph, clean as. Combined energy pumps at (1724), and the forecast says excellent for experienced surfers. This is the best of the whole outlook, no question. Longer period like that will set up nicely at Clifton, but with that size and period, it’s more suited to experienced crew. Afternoon stays clean too with a 5ft SSW swell and cross-off breeze.

Overall, this run has a few standout days: the Saturday the 12th morning and the Friday the 25th morning are the absolute highlights. There’s a long gap of average-to-poor conditions from Monday the 14th through Thursday the 17th, but if you’re keen and picky, the 22nd and 23rd mornings deliver clean, fun surf.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Sat morning, fresh winds from the W by Mon night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 5°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
2
3
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
S
16
1.1
S
16
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
15
0.5
S
14
0.3
SSW
13
0.3
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
1
SSW
13
1.4
SW
14
1.8
SSW
15
1.2
SSW
16
1.6
SSW
16
2.5
SW
15
1.1
SSW
14
1.1
SSW
14
1.3
S
17
1.2
SSW
17
1.6
SW
16
1
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
912
596
336
333
237
104
34
32
181
331
822
1415
787
1331
3026
514
521
969
908
1193
487
Wind (km/h)
5
NNE
10
E
15
NNW
20
NNW
5
NNE
15
N
15
NW
20
WNW
30
W
20
WSW
30
WSW
30
WSW
30
SW
25
WSW
20
W
10
W
5
SE
20
NW
20
NW
30
WNW
10
NW
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
7:40PM0.52m
8:18AM0.53m
8:46PM0.46m
8:44AM0.56m
10:01PM0.42m
9:12AM0.58m
11:25PM0.39m
9:44AM0.60m
00:52AM0.38m
10:22AM0.61m
2:03AM0.39m
11:07AM0.62m
2:41AM0.39m
Low Tide
1:39PM0.29m
1:56AM0.26m
2:46PM0.26m
2:15AM0.31m
3:51PM0.23m
2:29AM0.34m
4:50PM0.21m
2:40AM0.37m
5:43PM0.19m
2:53AM0.38m
6:32PM0.17m
3:28AM0.38m
7:17PM0.16m
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:16
6:15
6:13
6:11
6:09
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
 mm
1
2
1
Temp °C
12
11
11
18
21
16
19
15
11
9
9
8
10
12
9
14
14
10
16
15
14
Feels °C
9
8
6
16
19
11
16
10
5
3
1
0
4
5
4
12
11
6
10
9
11
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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

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