Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

We’re lookin’ at a pretty mixed bag for Clifton Beach over the next couple of weeks. The first few days are a bit of a write-off, but there are some diamonds in the rough if you’re patient. The water temp is sittin’ at 52°, which is about normal for this time of year, so nothin’ to get excited about there.

The first proper surfable window comes on Friday afternoon, August 21st. It’s tiny, only 1ft from the SSW, but with a super long 18 second period. That’s a groundswell, and it’ll be clean with a light cross-off breeze. The combined energy is weak (90), so it’s more of a longboard or funboard session. Not a standout, but if you’re desperate, it’s there.

Saturday, August 22nd is a total mess. We’ve got a solid 7ft SW swell, but that’s got a near gale howlin’ at 31 mph on Saturday morning, turnin’ it into a complete washout. The combined energy is massive (1760), but the wind is just too strong. Don’t bother.

The real glimmer in this forecast is Sunday afternoon, August 23rd. The swell drops to a clean 4ft from the SSW, with a decent 16 second period. The wind goes glassy-light, just 3 mph from the NW, makin’ it cross-off. The combined energy is pumpin’ at 1527, and the conditions are described as “excellent” for experienced surfers. This is the best on offer for the early part of the outlook. The waves will have good shape and energy, but it’s a beach break, so that long period might make ‘em a bit straight. Still, for the crew who know what they’re doin’, this is the session.

We then hit a real lull. From Monday, August 24th through to Thursday, August 27th, the swell drops right back to under 3ft, with weak energy (between 82 and 346). The winds are a mixed bag, but it’s mostly small and weak. There’s a chance on Thursday morning, August 27th with a clean 2ft and offshore wind, but it’s just too small to get excited about. That’s four days of pretty average stuff.

Friday morning, August 28th brings a pulse back. We get 3ft from the SSW with that long 18 second period again, and a moderate offshore wind from the NNW. Combined energy is 354, and it’s clean. It’s a step up from the lull, but still not the main event.

Then Sunday morning, August 30th is a huge one, but with a massive caveat. The forecast is showin’ a 12ft SW swell with a 16 second period and a combined energy of a whoppin’ 9066. That’s a lot of power. The wind is light and offshore from the NW, so it’ll be clean. But this is a warning: 12ft is for experts only. This break is a beach, and that kind of long-period, big swell will be heavy, dangerous, and probably closin’ out. Only the most experienced chargers should even look at it. For everyone else, it’s a spectator day.

Sunday afternoon, August 30th drops to 6ft, which is still a solid wave, but it goes cross-shore and the score is lower. Good for a look, but not the standout.

Monday, August 31st and Tuesday, September 1st are messy again with strong cross-onshore winds, blowin’ out the 4ft to 5ft swell. Not worth the paddle.

The next real window opens up on Friday morning, September 4th. We get a 5ft SSW swell with a 16 second period, and a gentle offshore wind from the north. The combined energy is 1093, and the conditions are described as “very good.” This is promising, but it’s a week and a half out, so treat it with a bit of caution. If it holds, it’ll be clean and punchy.

Friday afternoon, September 4th jumps to 8ft, which is again expert territory, with onshore wind. Then Saturday, September 5th is a total blown-out mess with strong cross-onshore winds from the SE and 3ft swell.

So, if I’m callin’ it, the standout is Sunday afternoon, August 23rd. The best combination of size, wind, and energy in the near term. The big one on Sunday morning, August 30th is a monster, but only for the elite. The Friday morning, September 4th session is a long-range hope for clean, solid waves.

Rusty.

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