Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Clifton Beach. The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a few windows where it’ll be worth paddling out.

The first few days are a bit rough, with a solid pulse of long-period groundswell but messy wind. That 5ft to 5ft swell from the SSW on Monday 13th July is carrying a lot of energy (1351 on the gauge), but the wind is all over the shop – strong cross-off and cross-shore. That’s making for poor surf and a chop, so it’s a good one to sit out. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing weird going on there.

The real standout is shaping up for Thursday 16th July. The morning is looking clean with a light offshore breeze from the NW, picking up a 4ft SSW swell at a very long 16 seconds. The energy is solid (795), and the conditions are glassy. That’s going to be the pick of the trip. The Friday 17th July morning is also a strong option, with a clean 4ft SSW swell and a proper offshore wind (NNW at 12 mph). The wave quality is expected to be very good, with moderate energy (739) and a long period. For a beach break, that long period means the sets will be more defined and there’ll be a bit more time between them, making it easier to get into position.

After that, the swell drops off fast. From Saturday 18th July through the middle of the following week, we’re looking at small, weak waves – dropping from 3ft down to a tiny 1ft. The energy is low (well under 300), and the conditions are mostly clean but not worth the effort. The wind does turn offshore for a bit on Saturday and Sunday, but with only 2ft on offer, it’s really just a splash-around.

There’s a bit of a gap from the 20th to the 24th where the surf is pretty flat or messy. The next real highlight appears on Saturday 25th July. The morning is looking magic – glassy conditions, light wind, and a 2ft groundswell from the SSW with a 16-second period. The energy is moderate (306), and the forecast says good surf. For a clean, small wave session, that’s the one to aim for if you’re patient.

The very end of the month (26th onwards) is a write-off with onshore wind and tiny, messy waves. The energy is in the gutters.

So, overall, the best on offer is the Thursday 16th July morning, followed closely by Friday 17th July morning. The clean, offshore winds and that long-period groundswell will make for some proper, lined-up waves. The Saturday 25th July morning is a good backup if you’re looking for a glassy, small-wave session.

Stay stoked.
Rusty

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