Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way. The next 16 days have a bit of a mixed bag, but we’ll get a couple of solid windows if you’re patient.

The early part of the week is pretty small and just okay. Tuesday morning, 21st July, we’ve got tiny 2ft surf from the SSW with a 14-second period, and the wind is light offshore from the north. The water’s at 53°F, which is about average for this time of year. The combined energy is weak (128). It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about. Tuesday afternoon stays tiny and clean, and Wednesday morning is even smaller at 1ft with a cross-offshore breeze, but the energy drops right off (73). Not a standout.

Wednesday afternoon, 22nd July, gets messy with a strong cross-onshore wind and rain showers, so leave the board on the car. Thursday, 23rd July, sees a jump in size – 4ft in the morning, building to 6ft in the afternoon – but the wind is howling from the west at 18-22 mph, making it a lumpy, cross-shore mess. The energy picks up to 1619 (moderate) in the afternoon, but the quality is poor. This is more of a kite-surfing day than a clean paddle session.

Friday, 24th July, has some potential. Morning sees 6ft from the S with a very long 16-second period, and a light NW cross-offshore breeze. The energy is strong (1440). It’s a bit of a beast for beginners, but the clean conditions and long-period groundswell will make for some nice lines at a point or reef. The afternoon drops off a bit and gets a stronger cross-offshore wind, so the morning is the pick.

Saturday, 25th July, is a write-off. Strong winds, lumpy cross-chop, and rain. The swell is around 5ft but the conditions are poor. Sunday, 26th, is tiny and average. The next few days through to the end of the month are mostly small, windy, or both.

Now, the real standout is Thursday, 30th July. We’ve got a solid 4ft swell from the SSW, with a long 15-second period, and the wind is light offshore from the north in the morning, going glassy in the afternoon. The energy is a solid 785 (moderate) and the forecast says *very good surf conditions*. This is the one to pencil in – clean, lined-up waves, and the water should still be around 53°F. The morning will be the best before the wind goes completely glass. The crowd profile at Clifton Beach is listed as “often,” so expect a few others out, but it’s worth it.

The first week of August sees a bit of a mix. Friday, 31st July, has clean 3ft surf with a cross-offshore breeze, but it’s not as strong. Monday, 3rd August, has a tiny 2ft swell but with a very long 21-second period in the afternoon, which is a bit weird for the size. The pick of the second week might be Tuesday, 4th August, with a 3ft swell from the S, a 19-second period, and a light offshore breeze. The energy is moderate (754) and the conditions look good. It’s a similar setup to the 30th, but a bit smaller and less certain this far out.

Overall, the best on offer is Thursday, 30th July – clean, glassy, and a decent swell. The runner-up is the morning of Friday, 24th July, if you can handle the bigger waves. Everything else is either small, windy, or messy. Don’t bother with the first few days, and keep an eye on that 30th.

Rusty.

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