Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what is on offer for us over the next couple of weeks.

First up, the water temp is sitting at 51° – that’s a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you are going to want a thick suit and maybe some booties if you are heading out at Clifton Beach. The week kicks off with a decent pulse of swell, but it’s messy. Thursday morning the 13th sees a solid 6ft SSW swell with a long 16-second period, pumping a strong wave energy (1358), but that west wind is making a mess of it with a cross-chop. It’s not going to be clean. By Thursday afternoon it cleans up nicely with a gentle cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is still a bit jumbled and the tide might not be your friend.

Friday morning the 14th drops off a touch to 5ft with that same long-period groundswell, but a moderate WNW cross-off keeps it rideable for those who are keen. The afternoon goes straight downhill though – onshore wind and rain kill it completely. Saturday morning the 15th is easily the standout of the first week. We get a clean 5ft S groundswell with a 16-second period, and glassy offshore winds from the NNW. That is going to be the session to aim for; clean, lined-up, and with decent energy (1121). It will be great for experienced surfers, maybe a little much for beginners at that size, but the quality makes up for it.

After Saturday, the swell fades fast. Sunday through to the end of the following week sees tiny, weak surf – we are talking 0.7ft to 2ft with very low energy. We go from a moderate 315 on Sunday morning down to barely a ripple mid-week. It is a long stretch of flat to near-flat conditions, so don’t bother paddling out from Sunday the 16th onward unless you want a float.

The second week does show a little more life. By Monday the 24th, we get a pulse back, with 3ft SSW swell and a solid 16-second period. The wind looks favorable with a moderate cross-off, but with the combined energy only at 519 it is not going to be a big day. Then the end of the window – Thursday the 27th – has the biggest swell of the whole forecast: 7ft from the SSW with a long period of 16 seconds and very strong energy (2456). That is proper, powerful groundswell, but the wind is cross-shore, putting a chop on it. It will be a serious challenge, only for experts, and even then it could be a battle.

Truth is, if you have to pick just one, Saturday morning the 15th is the clear winner. Clean, glassy, and a strong, long-period swell with good energy. It won't be perfect for beginners at that size, but for anyone with a bit of experience, that is the one to circle.

Rusty.

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