Surf Forecasts:
Clifton Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,656 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Clifton Beach in the next 16 days are 1.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 1PM. 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+) | 10PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Clifton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s take a look at the next couple of weeks at Clifton Beach.
It’s a sleepy start. Tuesday, August 18th, there’s a small pulse – about 2 ft from the SSW with a real long period. The morning wind is a clean offshore from the north, so it’ll be smooth looking, but the energy is weak (229). Water temp is 52°F, about normal for this time of year. Not much to get jazzed about.
From Wednesday through Friday that first week, the swell shrinks to practically nothing – 0.7 ft to 1 ft. It’s clean but you’ll be waiting forever for a wave. A few real slow days.
Now, the weekend of August 22nd shows some life. Saturday morning, the swell jumps to 5 ft from the SSW, with strong energy (1012). The wind is cross-shore from the west at 16 mph, a bit of a chop. By afternoon, it’s 6 ft (1411) and the wind eases to 9 mph, still cross-shore but cleaner. That afternoon is the pick of the week. Sunday is smaller at 3 ft and clean, but nothing special.
The only true standout is Saturday afternoon, August 22nd. That 6 ft SSW swell is the biggest we see. The cross-shore breeze will wrinkle the surface a little, but it’s the best on offer. It’s maybe a bit much for greenhorns, but fine for most folks. After that, it’s a lot of small, clean, and weak surf right through to the end of the month. There’s a pulse on the 31st with 4 ft, but the wind is screaming near gale – not for paddling.
There’s a long gap of slow days after the 22nd, with poor conditions through the end of August and into September. The wind really blows late month, making it look better for kite gear than a surfboard.
So if you want to paddle out, plan on Saturday afternoon, August 22nd at Clifton. It’s your best shot in a pretty quiet 16 days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Tue morning, fresh winds from the N by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 229 | 142 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 26 | 30 | 27 | 61 | 62 | 66 | 422 | 1012 | 1411 | 580 | 336 | 298 | 155 | 207 | 201 | 246 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 11:07AM0.56m | 00:08AM0.38m | 11:36AM0.59m | 1:25AM0.37m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:26PM0.26m | 4:26AM0.33m | 7:21PM0.23m | 4:43AM0.34m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | ENE 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 229 | 142 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 6 | 30 | 27 | 61 | 62 | 54 | 422 | 1012 | 1411 | 580 | 336 | 298 | 123 | 207 | 201 | 246 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 15 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | NE 8 | — | — | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 21 | S 20 | S 19 |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | 6 | 6 | 21 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 37 | 66 | 3 | — | — | 118 | 156 | 131 | 155 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 12 | E 12 | — | S 18 | S 13 | SW 13 | E 6 | SW 5 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 15 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | 26 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 3 | NE 5 | N 3 | N 3 | NE 3 | NNE 3 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 2 | WNW 3 | SW 6 | WNW 3 | WSW 7 | — | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | N 3 | N 3 | NW 3 | WSW 4 |
| kJ | 2 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 3 | 38 | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 332 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 32 | 4 | 16 | 4 | 92 | 4 | 14 | 8 | 34 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
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
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