Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a mixed bag coming over the next couple of weeks at Clifton Beach. The water temp is sitting at 54°, dead on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real window opens up Thursday morning, the 10th. That’s the standout—light offshore winds out of the northwest and 6-foot south swell rolling in at a juicy 16-second period. That’s proper groundswell with real push, and with clean conditions, the waves will have shape and power. The combined swell energy is moderate-strong at 1735. It’s a bit much for absolute beginners, but for anyone with a bit of experience, this is the session to aim for. Clifton Beach is a fairly consistent spot and fairly exposed to the south, so it picks up the swell well. Crowds are possible, so keep that in mind.

Friday the 11th, though—this one is a warning. Swell jumps up to 12 feet from the southwest with a 15-to-16-second period. The combined energy is over 7000, which is serious. The winds look okay but that size is too big for this break—really only for experts, and even then you’d be pushing it. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on Friday.

Saturday the 12th morning cleans right up. Light offshore breeze from the north, 4-foot SSW swell, 17-second period. Combined energy is 985—moderate—and the waves will be well-shaped. This is another good call for experienced surfers. Sunday the 13th stays small but fun: 3 feet with offshore winds in the morning, period at 16 seconds. Clean but weak at 329 combined energy.

Then we hit a flat spell. Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th are tiny or blown out. Wednesday the 16th morning picks up again: 4 feet, 17-second swell, light cross-off breeze from the NNW, combined energy 1009. That’s another clean, punchy option worth a look.

Thursday the 17th morning is okay at 5 feet but the wind is cross-off, 15-second period, 849 energy. Not a standout but surfable. After that, from Friday the 18th right through to Monday the 21st, conditions are poor—strong cross-onshore winds, messy, or too small. There’s a long gap with no recommendations.

On Saturday the 19th morning there’s a 10-foot swell from the southwest with a 12-second period, but again that’s too big for Clifton. Combined energy is 3288, but it’s blown out anyway.

Looking into the second week, Tuesday the 22nd morning brings a return of decent conditions: 3 feet, 17-second groundswell from the SSW, moderate offshore wind from the NNE, combined energy 638. Clean and workable. Wednesday the 23rd morning has 6 feet from the SSW with a 19-second period—long period, lots of punch—but the cross-shore wind might chop it up a bit, so it’s borderline. Combined energy 2643 is moderate-strong.

Overall, the standout is Thursday morning the 10th, with Friday the 12th morning a close second. After that, it’s picky and patchy, especially in the second week. Keep an eye on forecasts—things can change.

Rusty.

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