Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s brewin’ for our stretch of coast.

First off, the next week and a half is a real mixed bag. There’s some swell on the horizon, but you’ll need to be patient. The wind is gonna be the main troublemaker, especially around the middle of the period. The water temp is sittin’ at 53°F, which is about 1°F cooler than normal for this time of year, so nothin’ too crazy, just your standard winter chill.

The first real chance to get wet is Saturday morning, July 18th, at Clifton Beach. It’s small, with a 2ft SSW swell, but the wind is a clean cross-off from the NW at 12 mph. The combined energy is weak (277), so you won’t be gettin’ a workout, but the waves will be clean. It’s a fairly consistent spot, and on a Saturday morning with a small swell, you might dodge the worst of the crowds. The afternoon gets even better with the wind droppin’ to a slight air at 3 mph, still cross-off, and the swell bumps up just a hair to 3ft.

Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th are for the hardcore only. The swell drops right off to 1.0ft and 2ft, and while the wind is offshore, it’s just too small to get excited about. The energy is next to nothin’ (148 and 69). You’d be better off waxin’ your board for later.

Tuesday the 21st is a small step up. The morning has a 2ft SSW swell with a 14-second period and a light cross-off breeze. The energy is still moderate (173), but the highlight is Tuesday afternoon – the wind goes glassy from the ENE at 3 mph. That’s a rare treat for a small wave session. The swell is only 2ft, but with a glassy surface, it’ll be silky smooth.

Now, from Wednesday the 22nd through to Friday the 24th, it’s a write-off. The onshore and cross-shore winds kick in hard, hittin’ 19-22 mph from the WSW. The swell gets chunky – up to 10ft on Thursday afternoon – but it’s a lumpy, messy mess. The combined energy climbs to 6454, which is strong, but with that wind, it’s only interesting if you’re on a kite. The break is a beach setup, so for paddle surfers, it’s a no-go. The water will be a washing machine.

We get a break in the wind on Saturday, July 25th. The morning sees a 3ft SSW swell with a 13-second period and a cross-off NW wind at 9 mph. The energy is moderate (361), and the waves should be clean and rideable. It’s not a standout, but it’s a solid session after the rough stuff.

The next week, we’re waitin’ again. Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th are small and unremarkable. The real standout for the whole forecast is Tuesday, July 28th, morning. The swell jumps to 6ft from the SSW with a 15-second period, the wind is a clean cross-off from the WNW at 9 mph, and the combined energy is strong (1578). This is the pick of the bunch – a solid groundswell, clean winds, and good energy. The break is fairly exposed, so it’ll handle that size well. It’s recommended for experienced surfers at this size, so if you’re a beginner, maybe sit this one out. The afternoon turns cross-on, so get it early.

The rest of the run into the first days of August is a slow fade. Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th are small and messy. Friday, July 31st, morning has a 2ft S swell with a very long 19-second period, but the energy is weak (232) – it’ll be a long wait between sets at a beach break. Saturday, August 1st, is a nice little recovery: a 3ft SSW swell, 16-second period, light cross-off wind, and a clean forecast. The best session of that final weekend is Sunday, August 2nd, afternoon. The swell is 4ft from the SSW, 16-second period, the wind goes glassy from the SSE at 3 mph, and the energy is moderate (751). The conditions are described as very good. That’s the one to circle on the calendar for a long, clean, glassy session.

So, to sum it up: the best on offer is Tuesday morning, July 28th, for a solid, clean 6ft groundswell. The runner-up is Sunday afternoon, August 2nd, for a glassy, clean 4ft swell. The rest is a mix of small and clean or big and messy.

Rusty.

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