Surf Forecasts:
Clifton Beach surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s period, SW swell with 1,453 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 18s period with SSW 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 18s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Clifton Beach in the next 16 days are 1.8m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 16s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Clifton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Imperial Units
Alright, let's talk about Clifton Beach in real-world terms. The next couple of weeks are a slow start, but there's some quality waiting if you're keen to wait.
The water is about 52°F, which is about normal for this time of year. You won't need a heavyweight wetsuit, but you'll want a decent one.
There's a big lull at the start, with nothing much happening until Saturday the 22nd. Saturday morning is a bit of a mess – a 4ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, but the wind is a fresh 30 km/h cross-shore, whipping up lumpy conditions. The wave energy is moderate (792). The afternoon cleans up with a lighter cross-shore, and the swell bumps to 5ft (1016 energy), but it's still a bit iffy.
Sunday the 23rd is a better bet. The morning is clean with a 3ft SSW swell and a WNW wind, though it's a bit weak. The afternoon is the pick of the early days – a clean 3ft swell with a gentle offshore cross-off breeze. Small, but clean as a whistle.
Now, the real standout is the end of the month. Saturday the 29th of August is looking excellent. The morning has a solid 6ft S swell (1090 energy) with a light offshore from the NNE. That's going to be clean, punchy, and with plenty of power. The afternoon holds up with a 5ft S swell and a clean cross-off breeze. This is your best window in the first week.
Then, you need to mark Monday the 31st of August on your calendar. The morning is a serious standout. A 5ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period, combined with a clean offshore NNE wind. The energy is massive at 2062. This is for experienced surfers only – it's going to be powerful, clean, and the sets will be lined up. The afternoon is a bit more mixed with a 7ft SSE swell and a strong cross-off wind, but the morning is the money time.
So, the strategy is simple: be patient. The Saturday and Monday of the 29th and 31st are where it's at. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Thu morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | S 24 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
30 | 27 | 61 | 72 | 65 | 422 | 11 | 1292 | 565 | 431 | 636 | 360 | 269 | 285 | 249 | 217 | 152 | 111 | 40 | 67 | 50 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:10PM0.61m | 2:33AM0.36m | 12:49PM0.63m | 3:25AM0.36m | 1:33PM0.65m | 4:08AM0.37m | 2:19PM0.67m | 4:47AM0.37m | 3:06PM0.68m | 5:26AM0.38m | 3:52PM0.69m | 6:04AM0.39m | 4:39PM0.69m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:07PM0.20m | 5:14AM0.35m | 8:50PM0.18m | 6:01AM0.35m | 9:33PM0.16m | 6:56AM0.35m | 10:15PM0.14m | 7:51AM0.35m | 10:57PM0.13m | 8:45AM0.34m | 11:38PM0.12m | 9:41AM0.34m | 00:18AM0.12m | ||||||||
6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | |
— | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | NE 8 | SSW 21 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 |
12 | 27 | 61 | 47 | 65 | 422 | 3 | 90 | 565 | 431 | 636 | 360 | 269 | 285 | 249 | 217 | 152 | 111 | 26 | 67 | 50 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | ENE 7 | E 6 | SSW 19 | SSW 14 | NE 8 | S 24 | — | S 19 | S 18 | — | — | — | E 15 | E 15 | E 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 18 | SSW 16 |
30 | 4 | 1 | 72 | 21 | 3 | 11 | — | 188 | 156 | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 54 | 43 | 40 | 24 | 25 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SW 13 | SW 4 | E 7 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 15 | — | E 14 | E 16 | E 16 | S 19 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
3 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | — | NNW 2 | NNW 3 | WSW 4 | W 3 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | W 4 | WNW 3 | — | N 3 | NNW 3 | WSW 6 | W 3 | — | SW 4 | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 3 |
1 | — | 1 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 1082 | 1292 | 6 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 12 | 1 | — | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 34 | 16 | 14 | 570 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Coast of Tasmania | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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











