
Surf Forecasts:
Clifton Beach surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 13,301 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 1.5m 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 5.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 12s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Clifton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Clifton Beach.
The first few days are a bit of a letdown. We’ve got a long-period groundswell from the SSW pushing 5 ft, with the water temp sitting right around normal for this time of year. But the wind is coming from the NW then WNW, making it cross-off – not quite clean enough to call it a standout. The combined energy is solid at 1450, but the report flags it as marginal because of tide issues. You could probably snag a few on Friday (4th), but don’t expect anything special. Saturday (5th) drops off fast to 4 ft with a messy cross-on wind – better off finding something else to do.
Sunday (6th) goes nearly flat, with just 1 ft of weak, short-period junk. The combined energy is a pathetic 118. That’s the start of a quiet stretch. Monday (7th) brings the size back to 5 ft, but it’s paired with a 25 mph cross-onshore wind – pure chop and mess. Not worth getting wet for.
Tuesday (8th) morning looks clean with a light breeze from the NNW, but the swell is only 2 ft, even if it has a nice 18-second period. Too small to do much with. Wednesday (9th) is a total washout – that big 12 ft swell with 22 mph cross-onshore winds is a kite surfer's dream, not a paddle surfer's. The combined energy is a massive 8890, but it’s too ugly to surf here.
Now, Thursday (10th) is where it gets wild. We’re looking at a huge 16 ft SSW swell, with a 17-second period and combined energy of 18865. The wind is cross-shore at 15 mph, which is okay. But here’s the deal – at that size, this beach break is a beast for experts only. The report literally says it’s too big for this break. If you’re a pro and you can handle the cleanup sets, go for it. For everyone else, it’s a show.
Friday (11th) is your best all-around bet. That 4 ft S swell with a clean cross-off wind from the NNW is the sweet spot. Combined energy is a moderate 591, and it says “expect good surf conditions.” The morning session is the one to target.
Saturday (12th) morning is also solid – 4 ft SSW swell with a light offshore from the NNW, clean conditions, combined energy of 847. That’s a strong runner-up. Get in early, because the afternoon turns onshore and choppy.
From Sunday (13th) through Wednesday (16th), we’re in a flat spell. Swell drops to 1-2 ft, combined energy falls below 300 and keeps dropping. There are some offshore windows, like Monday (14th) and Tuesday (15th) mornings, but the waves are ankle-biters at best. Not worth the paddle.
Then Thursday (17th) brings another pulse: 10 ft SSW groundswell, but with a 25 mph cross-onshore wind. Combined energy is 3452, but it’s a blown-out mess. Friday (18th) is similar – 10 ft with clean cross-off winds, but again, too big for this spot. The pattern is stuck on repeat.
The last decent session in this 16-day outlook is Saturday (19th) morning. Clean offshore from the N, 4 ft S swell, moderate energy of 643, and it says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s a nice way to finish, but it’s nearly two weeks out, so stay tuned.
Best on offer: Friday (11th) morning at Clifton Beach – 4 ft S swell, clean cross-off NNW breeze, moderate energy (591), and the best balance of size and conditions.
Runner-up: Saturday (12th) morning – offshore wind, similar size, a bit more energy (847), but the afternoon turns to junk.
For the brave: Thursday (10th) – if you’re a big-wave charger and the tide lines up, that 16 ft swell could be the ride of your life, but it’s a serious gamble.
Take it easy out there.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Tue morning, strong winds from the WSW by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | S 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | S 19 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1450 | 1467 | 1073 | 737 | 446 | 610 | 80 | 71 | 34 | 318 | 163 | 192 | 246 | 673 | 962 | 4586 | 8890 | 10476 | 13301 | 8458 | 4131 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 6:54AM0.45m | 5:44PM0.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:23AM0.34m | 00:58AM0.14m | ||||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 14 | 6 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 7 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 5 | -2 | -1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | E 8 | S 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 7 | S 20 | S 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 22 | — | — | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 |
1450 | 1467 | 1073 | 737 | 446 | 1 | 38 | 22 | 14 | 4 | 70 | 82 | 246 | 673 | 962 | 906 | — | — | 5564 | 3048 | 1315 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 8 | SSW 13 | S 21 | E 8 | S 19 | SW 13 | SSE 8 | S 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 8 | — | 80 | 21 | 34 | 36 | 1 | 192 | 82 | 6 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 6 | SSW 14 | S 7 | NE 9 | E 9 | SW 12 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 71 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 36 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — | S 15 | — | — | — | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | WSW 12 | — | WNW 3 | WSW 4 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | S 19 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
4 | — | — | — | — | 610 | — | — | — | 318 | 163 | 636 | — | 1 | 14 | 4586 | 8890 | 10476 | 13301 | 8458 | 4131 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 36 | 0 | 11 | 4 | 224 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 224 | 714 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 681 | 1210 | 107 | 4 | 14 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Coast of Tasmania | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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










