Clifton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.99° S 147.53° E

Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 16 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Clifton Beach sea temperature is
11.3° C
0.5° 

Clifton Beach surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,011 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 12s period. 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 1.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sun 16th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 12s
Best Surf10AM (Mon 17th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 18s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sun 23rd Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks for your surf.

Honestly, it’s a pretty quiet start. The first few days are going to be a struggle, with very small, ordinary waves and occasional light winds that don’t help much. There’s a real lull from around Tuesday the 19th through to Friday the 23rd of August where it just drops off, with barely enough energy to get the board wet. We’re talking about a few days of nothing really worth paddling out for.

The first real glimmer of hope shows up on Friday morning, the 23rd. The swell starts to fill in a bit, but it’s still pretty ordinary and blown around. Saturday the 24th is a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds and messy conditions. It’s not until the morning of Monday the 26th that things look like they might turn, but the wind is howling. The standout window looks like the morning of Thursday the 28th of August. We get a jump in the swell to about 5ft from the S, with a light cross-offshore breeze from the NW. That’s going to clean things up nicely and should serve up some proper surf. The energy is strong (728), and that S swell is right in the pocket for Clifton. It will be a bit much for the beginners at that size, but for everyone else, it’s game on.

Earlier in the window, Monday morning the 18th of August has a small but clean 2ft SSW swell with a light offshore wind. It’s not big, but the conditions are glassy and it might be the best of a poor bunch for the learner crew. Also, keep an eye on the morning of Saturday the 30th of August. It’s got a 3ft SSW swell with a gentle offshore breeze, looking clean and fun. Further out, the morning of Monday the 1st of September has a similar 2ft SSW swell and offshore winds, which should be a good, clean session.

Water temp is sitting at 52°, which is about normal for this time of year. Clifton is a fairly consistent spot, so even though this patch is slow, it won’t stay poor forever.

Alright, keep an eye on that Thursday morning. That’s your best bet in this stretch.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
2
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
12
0.7
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
17
0.4
SSW
16
0.3
SSW
15
0.3
SSW
16
0.3
SSW
16
0.2
S
18
0.2
SSW
17
0.2
SSW
16
0.3
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
19
0.4
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
13
1
SSW
16
1
SSW
14
1.4
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
265
173
155
318
359
172
229
98
44
48
48
26
29
27
37
329
108
114
463
400
1011
Wind (km/h)
10
NNW
10
SSE
10
NNW
5
NNW
10
ESE
10
NNW
20
N
25
NE
20
N
20
N
20
NNE
35
N
20
WNW
20
W
15
NW
15
NNW
25
NW
20
WNW
25
WSW
20
WSW
20
NW
Wind State
off
on
off
glassy
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
10:18AM0.50m
9:44PM0.48m
10:42AM0.53m
10:52PM0.42m
11:07AM0.56m
00:08AM0.38m
11:36AM0.59m
1:25AM0.37m
12:10PM0.61m
2:33AM0.36m
12:49PM0.63m
3:25AM0.36m
1:33PM0.65m
Low Tide
4:05PM0.32m
4:01AM0.26m
5:20PM0.29m
4:14AM0.30m
6:26PM0.26m
4:26AM0.33m
7:21PM0.23m
4:43AM0.34m
8:07PM0.20m
5:14AM0.35m
8:50PM0.18m
6:01AM0.35m
9:33PM0.16m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:56
6:54
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:24
5:25
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:31
 mm
1
1
1
Temp °C
12
13
11
11
11
11
15
14
13
17
18
14
14
12
10
13
14
9
11
11
11
Feels °C
10
9
8
9
9
8
10
8
8
13
13
9
10
7
5
9
8
3
3
4
6
  • 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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