Clifton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.99° S 147.53° E

Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 03 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Clifton Beach sea temperature is
11.9°C
0.1° 

Clifton Beach surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 19s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 19s period, SSW swell with 15,296 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 17s period. 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 4.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Fri 4th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 17s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 10th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 19s
Most Powerful 1AM (Thu 10th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks at Clifton Beach.

To be honest, the first few days are a bit of a write-off. We’ve got some solid groundswell energy coming in, with that combined energy reading 1450 (moderate to strong), but the wind is out of the WNW at 16 mph, which is a messy cross-off. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing to worry about there. Friday and Saturday mornings have some rideable swell, but the conditions are just not there. Sunday morning (the 6th) is a glimmer of hope, but we’re down to 1 ft of swell, so it’s barely a ripple.

There’s a big gap of poor surf here until we get a bit of a window. Tuesday morning (the 8th) shows a little pulse of 2 ft from the SSW with a very long period of 18 seconds, and the wind is a clean NNW cross-off. That’s a glassy, clean start, but the swell is tiny. It’s a shame, because the energy is there (295).

Now, don’t get too excited about the big numbers coming in. Wednesday the 9th brings a massive 8 ft to 12 ft swell from the SSW with periods around 17 to 19 seconds, and the combined energy is through the roof (4285 to 10036). That’s strong to very strong energy, but the wind is a brutal cross-on from the SW at 22 to 25 mph. This is going to be a washing machine – big, messy, and dangerous. Only for the absolute experts, and even then, it’s not clean. It’s more of a kite-surfing day than a paddle-surfing day.

The standout of the whole forecast comes on Thursday the 10th. The afternoon session has a 13 ft S/SW groundswell (period of 16 seconds) and the combined energy is a massive 10563. The wind is a light cross-on from the SW, making it a bit choppy, but the file says the tide and wind are favorable. This is a big, powerful swell and it’s going to be too big for beginners, but for experienced surfers, this is a proper session. You’ll have to fight for it, but the waves will be there.

After that, the swell drops back down. Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th have some clean windows with offshore winds (N/NW and N at 3 mph), but we’re looking at 4 ft to 4 ft of SSW swell. The energy is moderate (529 to 669). It’ll be clean, fun, and manageable for most, but not the heavy stuff we saw earlier.

Looking into the second week, Monday the 14th through Wednesday the 16th is mostly small and average, with a few clean mornings but really weak energy (68 to 169). There’s a pulse of 6 ft to 6 ft on Tuesday the 15th, but the wind is a stiff cross-off, so it’s not the best.

The real long-range promise is on Thursday the 17th, but it’s the same story as the 9th – a massive 10 ft SSW groundswell with a very long period (18 seconds) and strong energy (11730), but the wind is a gentle cross-on, so it’ll be lumpy. It’s a promise, but a messy one.

The absolute best bet for a clean, solid session is Friday the 18th morning. We’ve got a 5 ft SSW groundswell (period of 17 seconds), a light offshore wind from the NNW at 6 mph, and the combined energy is a solid 1716. The file says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. It’s clean, it’s got power, and it’s the best wave of the window. If you can get out, that’s your day.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Thu night, calm by Sun morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 5°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Sun night, strong winds from the SW by Wed morning).

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
3
3
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
0
0
0
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
SSW
16
1.6
SSW
17
1.6
SSW
17
1.4
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.4
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
14
0.3
SSW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.3
S
20
0.5
S
19
0.6
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
17
1.6
SW
16
2.5
SSW
17
3.5
SSW
19
4.5
SSW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1121
1450
1467
1073
737
446
169
80
71
34
100
74
192
246
235
1224
3564
10036
15296
Wind (km/h)
30
W
25
WNW
15
WNW
20
NNW
20
NNE
15
SSE
30
S
5
NNW
15
SE
10
NW
40
SSW
30
S
15
NNW
15
NNW
10
SW
15
WSW
35
SW
40
SW
20
W
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
1:31AM0.44m
12:10PM0.70m
2:48AM0.43m
1:05PM0.72m
3:55AM0.43m
2:02PM0.74m
4:51AM0.43m
2:58PM0.74m
5:38AM0.43m
3:54PM0.72m
6:19AM0.44m
4:49PM0.69m
Low Tide
5:32AM0.36m
7:55PM0.06m
6:23AM0.37m
8:56PM0.03m
7:18AM0.38m
9:53PM0.02m
8:15AM0.38m
10:47PM0.03m
9:15AM0.37m
11:36PM0.05m
10:18AM0.35m
00:19AM0.09m
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:31
6:28
6:26
6:24
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
 mm
3
7
3
2
2
1
Temp °C
10
13
13
12
12
13
12
13
13
12
11
11
8
14
15
10
9
10
9
Feels °C
3
7
8
9
8
8
8
11
10
10
3
6
4
10
11
6
-1
0
2
  • Map Icons:
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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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