Surf Forecasts:
Clifton Beach surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 19s period, SSW swell with 1,532 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period with S 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Clifton Beach in the next 16 days are 1.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Clifton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Imperial Version
Alright, let’s break this down. The first week or so is a bit of a slow burner. No real reason to get worked up until the weekend.
Saturday, August 15th is where it’s at early on. Clifton Beach is showing a clean 5ft south swell with a super long 16-second period. That’s proper groundswell with some serious push – the energy reading is 1121 (moderate to strong), so you’ll feel it. A light offshore from the NNW is keeping the surface glassy. The water temp is about 52°F, which is pretty standard for this time of year. This is your standout day for the first week. The crowd factor is a bit of a thing on a Saturday, so get in early. The afternoon turns a bit sloppy with a cross-onshore breeze.
Sunday 16th gets tiny. The morning is a clean but small 3ft, and it’s all downhill from there into the afternoon.
Monday 17th morning is glassy with a 3ft swell, but the period is a very long 18 seconds. It’s small, but the glassy conditions will make it fun. You only get the morning window.
From Tuesday through Friday, it’s essentially flat. Swell energy drops to around 29, and the waves are barely ankle-snappers. A few days of nothing much on offer.
Looking into the second week, Saturday, August 22nd sees a new SW swell arrive. It hits 5ft with a 15-second period, but the wind is a fresh 30 km/h cross-shore, so it’s lumpy and messy. The energy is back up to 1033 (strong). This one’s looking rough for a paddle, so keep an eye on the kites.
Sunday, August 23rd is the big one. The swell builds from 6ft to 8ft in the afternoon, from the SSW, with a 16-17 second period. The energy is massive at 2993 (very strong). The wind turns cross-offshore from the WNW, so it cleans up nicely. This is powerful, long-period groundswell. At over 8ft, it’s expert-only territory, and that long period might make it a bit wally on a beach break, but Clifton Beach can handle it. The morning session on the 23rd is the prime window.
Monday 24th gets wrecked by fresh onshore winds, so forget that.
The final hurrah is Tuesday, August 25th. The morning offers a clean 4ft S swell with a light offshore from the NNW. The energy is moderate at 530, and the conditions look clean and fun. A solid pick for a last session.
So, my call: Saturday morning the 15th is a must. Sunday morning the 23rd is the big boy session for the experienced crew, and Tuesday morning the 25th is the sensible backup. The days in between are mostly a write-off.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Wed night, light winds from the NW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1121 | 753 | 522 | 265 | 170 | 155 | 318 | 359 | 172 | 229 | 142 | 45 | 45 | 46 | 26 | 29 | 26 | 33 | 123 | 124 | 249 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | off | off | on | off | glassy | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:44PM0.55m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:45PM0.35m | 3:40AM0.21m | 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 | ||||||||
7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
— | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 8 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 6 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 |
1121 | 753 | 522 | 265 | 170 | 155 | 318 | 359 | 172 | 229 | 142 | 45 | 45 | 46 | 26 | 29 | 26 | 4 | 123 | 124 | 249 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 14 | E 13 | S 10 | SSW 18 | — | — | E 13 | E 12 | E 6 | SW 14 | ENE 7 | SW 6 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | E 7 |
1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 108 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 57 | 49 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 8 | E 13 | E 14 | E 14 | E 10 | E 11 | E 13 | E 13 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | ENE 4 | — | E 7 | SSW 18 | E 7 | E 12 | — |
2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 33 | 1 | 3 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 10 | NNE 3 | NE 4 | NE 3 | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | N 3 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 3 | WSW 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 33 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 14 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Coast of Tasmania | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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











