Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got a solid shot of long-period groundswell at Clifton Beach starting Thursday afternoon, and that’s where the real action is. The water temp is sitting pretty average for this time of year, nothing wild. Thursday morning is a bit of a write-off with that cross-shore wind putting a chop on the 5ft swell, but by Thursday afternoon things turn on big time. The swell drops to 6ft from the SSW with a 16-second period, the wind swings to a cross-offshore breeze from the NW, and the wave energy is cranking (1863) – that’s strong stuff. For experienced surfers only, the waves will have real power and shape, and the conditions will be clean. That’s your standout.

Friday morning is still ridable with 5ft SSW swell and a cross-offshore wind, but Friday afternoon gets messy with rain showers and a cross-onshore wind spoiling the 6ft swell. Saturday is the next really good session. Saturday morning brings a 5ft S swell with 15-second period, a light offshore wind from the NNW, and clean conditions. Wave energy is moderate (906). It’s a beautiful window for all levels, not too heavy. Saturday afternoon sees the swell drop to 4ft, still clean but smaller.

Sunday morning drops off to 3ft with a 14-second period, glassy offshore wind, but the energy is weak (261). Sunday afternoon is a no-go with onshore wind. Monday morning has a tiny 2ft swell but glassy conditions, and the 17-second period is very long – that’s better for a point or reef, so at a beach break like Clifton it might break too straight. Still, it’s a clean paddle. Monday afternoon stays small and clean.

From Tuesday the 18th through to the 24th, the swell fades hard. We’re looking at 1.0ft to 3ft for over a week, with some offshore winds but very weak energy (values like 41 to 522). Not worth getting wet for. There’s a big gap of poor to ordinary surf here. Then on the 25th, a short-period windswell kicks up to 5ft and 6ft, but the wind is howling 35-40 km/h cross-shore, messy and lumpy – that’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing. The 26th is similar with strong onshore winds.

But hold on – the 27th morning (Thursday, August 27) looks like a real comeback. 6ft SSW swell, cross-offshore wind from the NNW, clean conditions, and moderate energy (701). That’s a solid session for experienced surfers. The 28th morning is also good, with 5ft S swell and offshore wind.

So to wrap it up: Thursday afternoon, August 13, is the absolute standout – big, clean, powerful groundswell. Saturday morning, August 15, is a close second for a more user-friendly size. After that, the 27th morning is worth circling on the calendar, but it’s a long way out so keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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