Clifton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.99° S 147.53° E

Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 06 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Clifton Beach sea temperature is
11.9°C
0.1° 

Clifton Beach surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 10,733 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 4.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 9s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Sun 6th Sep)1.5ft (0.4m) 14s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 10th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 18s
Most Powerful 7AM (Thu 10th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the surf situation for Clifton Beach comin’ up. Honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag with a few moments of magic if you’re patient. The water temp’s sittin’ around 53°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so nothin’ wild there.

The first real standout is Tuesday the 8th of September. We’ve got a clean, long-period groundswell pushin’ in from the SSW, 3ft to 2ft, with a period of 17 to 18 seconds. That’s proper long, so the waves will have some punch and shape, but they’ll be a bit setty. The wind is offshore-clean, light and cross-off, so the surface will be glassy. The wave energy is moderate to strong (561 on Tuesday arvo), so there’s some grunt there. This is your best bet for a fun, uncrowded session—though crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Now, hold onto your board for Thursday the 10th of September. The swell pumps up to a solid 13ft from the SW, with a 16-second period. That’s huge, and the wave energy is absolutely thumping (11,558). But here’s the thing—it’s too big for Clifton Beach. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s sketchy. The wind is offshore in the morning, so it’ll be clean, but the sheer size makes it a no-go for most. If you’re a seasoned charger, maybe, but otherwise, give it a miss.

Saturday the 12th of September is another cracker. Clean 6ft to 4ft swell from the S, with 16 to 17-second periods, and the wind is true offshore. The energy is strong (1,660), and the conditions are rated excellent for experienced surfers. The waves will be well-shaped, but with that long period, they’ll be a bit more suited to the point or reef if there’s one around—Clifton’s a beach break, so they might close out a bit. Still, the clean faces and offshore breeze make it a top pick.

There’s a big gap of poor conditions in between, with a few days of strong cross-shore winds and lumpy, messy surf. The first week’s best are Tuesday 8th and Saturday 12th. After that, the second week gets spotty—Tuesday 15th September has a 8ft SW swell with moderate energy (3,964) and offshore wind, but it’s marginal. Nothing really stands out as a must-surf.

So, for the best quality, point your board at Tuesday 8th September for smaller, clean waves, or Saturday 12th for a bit more size and still offshore. The big Thursday 10th is only for the brave.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Sun morning, strong winds from the SW by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Wed morning, light winds from the NNW by Fri night).

Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
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
0
0
0
0
2
2
2
0
0
0
!
!
!
0
0
1
!
4
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)
0.4
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
14
0.3
SSW
13
1.4
SSW
7
1.3
SSW
8
0.5
S
19
0.6
SSW
18
1
SSW
17
1.3
SSW
16
2.4
SSW
19
3
SSW
18
4
SSW
18
4
SW
16
3.5
SW
16
1.6
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
17
3.5
SSW
17
1.7
S
17
1.3
S
16
1.1
S
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
80
71
34
208
186
192
246
556
803
4084
5089
10074
8397
5873
1049
1232
1708
6205
1660
826
430
Wind (km/h)
5
NNW
10
SE
15
WNW
35
SW
30
SSW
15
NNW
15
NW
15
WNW
30
WSW
35
WSW
40
WSW
30
WSW
20
WNW
20
W
25
WSW
30
W
30
WSW
15
W
15
NNW
10
N
25
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
off
off
off
High Tide
2:02PM0.74m
4:51AM0.43m
2:58PM0.74m
5:38AM0.43m
3:54PM0.72m
6:19AM0.44m
4:49PM0.69m
6:54AM0.45m
5:44PM0.64m
7:24AM0.47m
6:40PM0.58m
7:52AM0.50m
7:40PM0.52m
Low Tide
9:53PM0.02m
8:15AM0.38m
10:47PM0.03m
9:15AM0.37m
11:36PM0.05m
10:18AM0.35m
00:19AM0.09m
11:23AM0.34m
00:58AM0.14m
12:31PM0.32m
1:30AM0.20m
1:39PM0.29m
1:56AM0.26m
part cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:22
6:20
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
 mm
2
2
Temp °C
14
15
12
11
11
9
14
14
7
10
10
11
14
15
12
13
12
11
15
17
14
Feels °C
12
12
10
1
4
5
10
9
1
0
1
6
8
10
5
6
6
5
11
13
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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