Clifton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.99° S 147.53° E

Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Clifton Beach sea temperature is
11.5°C
0.2° 

Clifton Beach surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with 5,303 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s is also forecast. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 27th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf 1AM (Sun 30th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sun 30th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on offer for Clifton Beach over the next couple of weeks.

The water temperature here is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual to report.

The next few days are a bit of a write-off. Wednesday through to Saturday morning we've got a lot of onshore and cross-shore winds, sloppy conditions, and small, weak swell. The combined wave energy is weak, mostly under 400 (97-380 range). It's not worth paddling out for.

Then things start to look up. On Saturday, the 29th, the afternoon session cleans up with a moderate breeze and clean 3 ft swell from the SSW. The energy picks up a bit (361), but it's nothing to write home about.

The real standout is Sunday, the 30th of August. Head out early. Light offshore winds from the NNW, clean as a whistle, and a solid 7 ft groundswell rolling in from the south with a very long 18-second period. The combined energy is a massive 2426, so there's plenty of grunt. This is excellent, powerful surf for experienced surfers. The long period will make it wall up nicely at Clifton Beach, but sets will be a bit more spaced out, making the paddle out a little easier. The afternoon goes a bit cross-on, so get on it in the morning.

Monday, the 31st, is also a good one. A gentle offshore in the morning with 4 ft SSW swell, moderate energy (666), and clean conditions. Then the afternoon goes glassy, with a 4 ft SSW swell packing a 17-second period, and the energy is solid (745). Very good surf, clean and fun.

The first week of September is a bit of a mixed bag. Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd are small and not great. Thursday and Friday have some size but are blown out by fresh onshore winds.

Then there's another standout on Saturday, the 5th of September. The morning session has a massive 10 ft SSW groundswell with a gentle offshore. That's way too big for this break, and the file says it's too big. The afternoon glass-off, however, brings a 5 ft S swell with a 16-second period, huge energy (1347), and perfect glassy conditions. That's excellent for experienced surfers, but you'll need to be on your game.

The next few days after that are mainly onshore and messy, with a couple of marginal windows. Tuesday, the 8th of September, has a clean 5 ft SSW swell in the morning, but the afternoon is a massive 12 ft SW swell, too big for Clifton Beach. Wednesday the 9th has some clean afternoon conditions with a 5 ft S swell and a very long 19-second period, worth a look for experienced crew on a longboard or a point break setup.

So, the best of the lot is Sunday morning, the 30th of August. Get out there early for clean, powerful 7 ft south swell with a very long period. The other serious shout is the glassy afternoon on Saturday, the 5th of September.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Wed morning, light winds from the NW by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
!
4
2
3
2
3
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
12
2
S
9
1.6
S
8
1.3
SSW
12
0.6
S
11
0.5
S
10
0.4
SSW
20
0.5
SSW
18
0.5
SSW
17
0.4
SSW
16
0.7
SW
11
1
SSW
13
3
SW
14
2
S
18
1.8
S
17
1.4
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
115
646
364
407
88
52
127
186
172
99
123
302
3609
2426
1925
966
666
745
443
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
45
SW
35
SW
5
NW
15
N
5
NE
25
W
30
WSW
30
SW
10
WNW
10
WNW
20
WNW
10
WNW
10
NNW
10
WSW
10
NW
15
NNW
5
N
25
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
6:04AM0.39m
4:39PM0.69m
6:42AM0.41m
5:26PM0.68m
7:18AM0.43m
6:16PM0.65m
7:54AM0.47m
7:10PM0.61m
8:29AM0.51m
8:11PM0.57m
9:07AM0.55m
9:22PM0.52m
Low Tide
11:38PM0.12m
9:41AM0.34m
00:18AM0.12m
10:41AM0.33m
00:55AM0.12m
11:45AM0.32m
1:32AM0.14m
12:53PM0.31m
2:07AM0.17m
2:05PM0.28m
2:43AM0.21m
3:19PM0.25m
3:21AM0.25m
rain showers
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:47
6:46
6:43
6:43
6:41
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:40
 mm
2
1
1
Temp °C
12
10
10
9
13
15
11
13
12
9
15
14
12
17
17
14
18
20
15
Feels °C
8
1
2
5
9
11
6
7
5
5
10
9
9
16
14
12
14
17
10
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  • 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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