Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a mixed bag coming up at Clifton Beach. The next week or so kicks off with some decent, clean swell, but then gets hammered by a big, windy event before things clean up again in the second week. There’s some proper good windows in there for the patient surfer.

The first real action is on Tuesday morning the 7th. It’s small at 3ft from the SSW, but the period is a juicy 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. Mixed clouds and a light cross-offshore breeze means it’ll be clean. The water’s sitting at 53°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no nasty surprises. Combined energy is moderate at 372. Not huge, but the quality will be there.

Wednesday the 8th is the standout of the first week. Morning gets better: 4ft of SSW groundswell with an 18-second period, and we’ve got light offshore wind from the north. Combined energy jumps to strong at 850. This is the one to point your board at – clean lines and real push.

By Thursday the 9th, the swell backs off to 2ft, but you can still have a fun afternoon session with glassy conditions and a long 19-second period from the south. The energy reads moderate at 395. Good for a log or a fish, just don’t expect any grunt.

Then we hit a real lull. From Friday the 10th right through to the end of Sunday the 12th, the swell drops to pathetic 1ft–2ft and gets battered by strong offshore winds. Monday the 13th sees a sudden jump – 5ft from the SSW with a 17-second period – but it’s coming with fresh cross-shore winds and rain. The combined energy is very strong at 1370, but the lumpy, choppy conditions will ruin any chance of a good wave. The same goes for Tuesday the 14th: 4ft but messy.

The bottom truly falls out on Wednesday the 15th. We get a massive 10ft to 12ft SSW swell with fresh cross-onshore winds. Combined energy hits 6884, but the surf is blown out and lumpy. This is expert-only territory, if that, and honestly looks more interesting for kite surfing than a paddle session.

After that, the ocean finally takes a breath. Thursday the 16th morning offers a clean 3ft S groundswell with a 10-second period and light cross-offshore winds. Combined energy is moderate at 282. A nice little recovery session. Friday the 17th and most of Saturday the 18th stay small but clean, with Saturday morning being the better pick with 3ft from the SSW and light offshore winds.

The real second-week highlight is on Tuesday the 21st. We’re looking at 5ft from the SSW with an 18-second period and moderate offshore winds. Combined energy is strong at 1326. That’s a proper head-high plus with good shape and clean faces. Best of the run, but it’s a long-range call so a pinch of salt is needed. Through Wednesday the 22nd, the swell holds at 5ft but the wind picks up to a fresh offshore, keeping it clean but a bit harder to paddle into.

If you’re after the pick of the bunch, hit Wednesday the 8th for the classic shoulder-high groundswell with offshore winds. For the second week, Tuesday the 21st is your best bet, though it’s not locked in yet. Be aware that Clifton Beach can get crowded, so expect company.

Rusty.

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