Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what we've got coming down the line for Clifton Beach. We're in for a bit of a mixed bag, with a couple of really clean windows that should fire, but plenty of windy, messy days to sit out too.

To start with, the water temperature is sitting at about 53°F, which is pretty much spot on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We kick things off on Monday the 6th with a small 2ft swell from the SSW, but it's a bit of a dud with poor conditions, so nothing to rush out for.

Things start looking up on Tuesday the 7th. The morning brings a clean 3ft SSW groundswell with a long 17-second period, and the wind swings to a light cross-offshore from the NW. It'll be a little small, but clean. Then Tuesday afternoon? Absolute glass. Winds go flat calm, and we’ve got a 2ft SSW swell with a 16-second period. The combined energy is moderate (286), and it’s going to be super clean. That’s a solid afternoon session for a log or a fish.

Wednesday the 8th is our first real standout. The morning sees a 4ft SSW groundswell with a very long 18-second period, and a light offshore from the NNW. The combined swell energy is strong, sitting at 855. The waves will have some punch, but the long period means they might feel a bit straight at a beach break like Clifton. Keep that in mind. Still, with clean offshore conditions, it's the best bet this week for a bigger wave. Not for beginners though, as it's pushing the 5ft mark.

Thursday the 9th through to Sunday the 12th is a frustrating stretch. The swell drops right back to 1ft - 2ft, and while the wind stays offshore making it clean, the energy is weak (below 200). It's surfable, but very ordinary. By Saturday the 11th, the wind cranks up to 18-22 mph from the north, which is offshore but way too strong for decent waves on that tiny swell. Sunday is a write-off with rain and cross-shore wind.

The following week starts rough. From Monday the 13th to Tuesday the 14th, the swell jumps up to 3ft - 5ft from the SSW, with moderate to strong combined energy (over 1000 at one point), but the wind is on it. Strong cross and cross-onshore winds from the west and west-southwest, plus rain showers, make for lumpy, messy conditions. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

Wednesday the 15th offers a small window in the morning with a 3ft SSW swell and a light cross-offshore, but it’s only marginal.

Now, here’s a look ahead to Thursday the 16th. This is the other standout. The morning brings a 6ft SSW swell, but the period is a shorter 10 seconds, so it’s windswell, not groundswell. The combined energy is strong (733). The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNW, making it clean. 6ft is getting into expert territory, so this is one for the experienced crew only. Thursday afternoon sees the wind go fully offshore, with a 5ft swell from the S.

After that, we get a few days of clean but smaller surf from Friday the 17th to Sunday the 19th, with offshore winds and swells around 2ft to 3ft. It’s surfable but ordinary.

Then from Monday the 20th onwards, the forecast gets messy again. A 5ft S swell with a short, weak 7-second period, and cross-offshore winds won't save it. By Tuesday the 21st, we're back to strong cross-onshore winds and lumpy conditions, even on a 5ft SSW swell.

Basically, your best windows are Tuesday afternoon the 7th for some small, glassy fun, and Wednesday morning the 8th for a clean, solid groundswell. The second week looks like a gamble with wind, but Thursday the 16th could be worth a look for the experts.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

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