Clifton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.99° S 147.53° E

Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Clifton Beach sea temperature is
11.7° C
0.6° 

Clifton Beach surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,735 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 13s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sat 18th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 12s
Best Surf 7PM (Fri 24th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 7PM (Fri 24th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Clifton Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s brewin’ for our stretch of coast.

First off, the next week and a half is a real mixed bag. There’s some swell on the horizon, but you’ll need to be patient. The wind is gonna be the main troublemaker, especially around the middle of the period. The water temp is sittin’ at 53°F, which is about 1°F cooler than normal for this time of year, so nothin’ too crazy, just your standard winter chill.

The first real chance to get wet is Saturday morning, July 18th, at Clifton Beach. It’s small, with a 2ft SSW swell, but the wind is a clean cross-off from the NW at 12 mph. The combined energy is weak (277), so you won’t be gettin’ a workout, but the waves will be clean. It’s a fairly consistent spot, and on a Saturday morning with a small swell, you might dodge the worst of the crowds. The afternoon gets even better with the wind droppin’ to a slight air at 3 mph, still cross-off, and the swell bumps up just a hair to 3ft.

Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th are for the hardcore only. The swell drops right off to 1.0ft and 2ft, and while the wind is offshore, it’s just too small to get excited about. The energy is next to nothin’ (148 and 69). You’d be better off waxin’ your board for later.

Tuesday the 21st is a small step up. The morning has a 2ft SSW swell with a 14-second period and a light cross-off breeze. The energy is still moderate (173), but the highlight is Tuesday afternoon – the wind goes glassy from the ENE at 3 mph. That’s a rare treat for a small wave session. The swell is only 2ft, but with a glassy surface, it’ll be silky smooth.

Now, from Wednesday the 22nd through to Friday the 24th, it’s a write-off. The onshore and cross-shore winds kick in hard, hittin’ 19-22 mph from the WSW. The swell gets chunky – up to 10ft on Thursday afternoon – but it’s a lumpy, messy mess. The combined energy climbs to 6454, which is strong, but with that wind, it’s only interesting if you’re on a kite. The break is a beach setup, so for paddle surfers, it’s a no-go. The water will be a washing machine.

We get a break in the wind on Saturday, July 25th. The morning sees a 3ft SSW swell with a 13-second period and a cross-off NW wind at 9 mph. The energy is moderate (361), and the waves should be clean and rideable. It’s not a standout, but it’s a solid session after the rough stuff.

The next week, we’re waitin’ again. Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th are small and unremarkable. The real standout for the whole forecast is Tuesday, July 28th, morning. The swell jumps to 6ft from the SSW with a 15-second period, the wind is a clean cross-off from the WNW at 9 mph, and the combined energy is strong (1578). This is the pick of the bunch – a solid groundswell, clean winds, and good energy. The break is fairly exposed, so it’ll handle that size well. It’s recommended for experienced surfers at this size, so if you’re a beginner, maybe sit this one out. The afternoon turns cross-on, so get it early.

The rest of the run into the first days of August is a slow fade. Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th are small and messy. Friday, July 31st, morning has a 2ft S swell with a very long 19-second period, but the energy is weak (232) – it’ll be a long wait between sets at a beach break. Saturday, August 1st, is a nice little recovery: a 3ft SSW swell, 16-second period, light cross-off wind, and a clean forecast. The best session of that final weekend is Sunday, August 2nd, afternoon. The swell is 4ft from the SSW, 16-second period, the wind goes glassy from the SSE at 3 mph, and the energy is moderate (751). The conditions are described as very good. That’s the one to circle on the calendar for a long, clean, glassy session.

So, to sum it up: the best on offer is Tuesday morning, July 28th, for a solid, clean 6ft groundswell. The runner-up is Sunday afternoon, August 2nd, for a glassy, clean 4ft swell. The rest is a mix of small and clean or big and messy.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 5°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Tue morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Thu night).

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
0.8
S
12
0.7
S
11
0.6
S
11
0.3
SSW
17
0.3
SSW
16
0.3
SSW
15
0.5
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
12
0.4
SSW
13
1.1
SW
12
1.6
SW
14
1.9
SSW
13
1.8
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
16
1
SSW
14
1.3
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
173
205
184
119
84
57
48
42
102
105
68
59
67
0
893
1206
918
357
394
678
542
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
10
NNW
15
NNW
15
N
10
N
15
NNW
20
NNW
15
WNW
10
NNW
5
NNW
10
N
20
NNW
15
WNW
30
SW
20
W
25
WSW
25
WSW
30
WNW
25
NW
15
WNW
15
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:57AM0.47m
9:49PM0.56m
12:18PM0.50m
10:45PM0.48m
12:37PM0.53m
11:47PM0.42m
12:55PM0.57m
00:58AM0.38m
1:16PM0.60m
2:14AM0.35m
1:44PM0.63m
3:25AM0.34m
2:17PM0.66m
Low Tide
4:05PM0.40m
5:14AM0.17m
5:36PM0.38m
5:33AM0.22m
6:58PM0.34m
5:44AM0.26m
8:04PM0.29m
5:54AM0.29m
8:54PM0.25m
6:10AM0.31m
9:37PM0.21m
6:37AM0.32m
10:16PM0.18m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:35
7:33
7:33
7:33
7:31
7:31
7:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:57
4:57
4:58
4:59
5:00
5:00
5:01
 mm
1
1
1
Temp °C
14
15
14
14
15
13
14
15
13
14
15
12
13
8
7
9
9
10
12
13
13
Feels °C
11
13
11
11
12
9
9
12
10
12
12
6
9
1
0
1
2
3
8
10
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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