Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. The next couple of weeks at Clifton Beach start off on the quiet side, but the real story here is a proper pulse of swell that builds towards the end of the month and into early August. We’ll have a few small, clean windows to tickle the shortboard, but the standout days are the ones you’ll want to block out in your calendar.

Right now, the swell is small but there’s a pulse of long-period groundswell rolling in. Friday the 17th morning sees a 4ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, which is proper long-period energy. The combined energy is moderate (928), and with a moderate offshore breeze from the NNW, it’s going to be clean. Water temp is about average for the time of year, so a steamer is fine. It’s a fairly consistent spot, but crowds are often here, so expect company. The afternoon drops off to 3ft, still clean, but less push.

Saturday (18th) and Sunday (19th) are smaller – 2ft to 2ft – with clean conditions but very ordinary waves. The period drops to 11-13 seconds, so it’s weaker. The combined energy is low (277 dropping to 125). It’s surfable for a beginner-plus, but nothing to get excited about.

Monday (20th) through Wednesday (22nd) are pretty dead. Swell heights drop to 0.7ft-2ft, and energy is weak (under 115). There’s a bit of a lull here. Not worth paddling out for.

Now, Thursday the 23rd is a bit of a warning. A 5ft SSW swell rolls in with a 15-second period, but the wind is howling from the SSW at 34 mph in the afternoon, making it a blown-out, cross-onshore mess. The morning is messy too with a cross-shore wind. The combined energy jumps to 975, but it’s not worth it for paddle surfing. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The real fun starts Friday the 24th. Morning brings a 4ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and a gentle offshore breeze from the NW. Clean, moderate energy (739), and the waves will have shape. This is a solid option for experienced surfers, but the crowds are likely.

Saturday the 25th is a glassy gem – 2ft, glassy conditions, and a 13-second period. Combined energy is low (221), but it’s clean. If you want a longboard or a log, this is your window. Sunday the 26th is small and messy again.

Now, here’s the standout. Monday the 27th morning: 4ft SSW swell, 16-second period, light offshore wind. Combined energy is 936. Clean, good shape. The afternoon sees a jump to 7ft, but the wind turns cross-shore and it gets a bit lumpy. That’s for the experts.

But the *real* highlight is Wednesday the 29th afternoon. The swell builds to 8ft from the SSW with a 15-second period, and the wind goes glassy from the ENE. Combined energy is a massive 2849. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, and long-period groundswell. The long period means it’ll be better focused at reefs and points, so keep that in mind if you’re surfing a beach break.

Thursday the 30th morning is also a cracker: 8ft, 16-second period, light offshore wind, and combined energy of 3222. The afternoon gets a bit of a cross-onshore ripple, but it’s still solid. Friday the 31st morning is another epic: 8ft, 14-second period, gentle offshore, and combined energy of 3808. This is the peak of the swell. Only for experts.

After that, it drops off quickly. Saturday the 1st of August is back to small glassy waves (2ft). So, the best on offer is Wednesday the 29th afternoon through to Friday the 31st morning. That’s the window for big, clean, powerful SSW groundswell.

Rusty.

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