Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. We’ve got one spot on the radar for the next couple of weeks – Clifton Beach. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so let’s break it down day by day.

Right now, and for the next few days, it’s a bit of a slow start. The swell is tiny, we’re talking knee-high at best, with a weak combined swell energy (88). The water temp is sitting at 53°, which is about 2° cooler than usual for this time of year – so it’s a touch chilly but nothing crazy. The wind is offshore from the north, which keeps the surface clean, but with barely any wave to ride, it’s not doing us any favours. Expect a quiet, flat spell through Saturday and Sunday.

By Monday the 13th, the swell starts to build, but it comes with a strong cross-shore wind that’s going to chop things up. The combined energy jumps to 786, but the conditions are poor. Tuesday the 14th is a little better, with lighter winds and a moderate cross-shore, but the swell is still a bit messy and the quality is marginal. Honestly, nothing to get excited about here.

The first real standout comes on Thursday the 16th. We’ve got a clean 3 ft SSW swell with a nice 15-second period, giving it some real groundswell punch. The wind is light and cross-offshore, so the surface will be glassy. The combined energy is moderate (329), and it’s a solid morning session for someone who’s not looking for big waves. Just keep in mind, Clifton Beach can get crowded, so you might have some company.

Friday the 17th morning is also a good one – same swell, similar size, but with very light wind. It’s clean and fun. But by the afternoon, the wind swings onshore from the southeast and it goes to crap.

Now, the big one: Wednesday the 22nd. This is the standout of the whole window. We’re looking at a 7 ft SSW swell with a moderate 11-second period, but the combined energy is massive (1512). That’s some serious juice. The wind is offshore from the north-northwest, keeping it clean and lined up. This is powerful, punchy surf – not for beginners. If you’re experienced, this is your day. The offshore wind will make it glassy, and the waves will have some real push.

Thursday the 23rd is also worth a look, with a 4 ft SSW swell and a very long 16-second period – that’s a proper groundswell. The energy is solid (866) and the wind is offshore again. It’s a bit more manageable than Wednesday, but still a good session for confident surfers.

After that, the swell backs off a bit, and the conditions get a little mixed. The last decent day looks like Saturday the 25th, with a clean 4 ft SSW swell and light offshore wind. It’s a nice, cruisy session to wrap things up.

So, in short: the first week is mostly flat or messy. The best days are Thursday the 16th for a clean, fun session, and Wednesday the 22nd for the big, powerful stuff. Get out there if you can.

Rusty.

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