Clifton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.99° S 147.53° E

Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 09 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Clifton Beach sea temperature is
12.1°C
0.3° 

Clifton Beach surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 11,113 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 17s period with SW 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore 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 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 13s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 10th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 17s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 10th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 17s
Most Powerful 1AM (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. We’ve got a mixed bag coming over the next couple of weeks at Clifton Beach. The water temp is sitting at 54°, dead on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real window opens up Thursday morning, the 10th. That’s the standout—light offshore winds out of the northwest and 6-foot south swell rolling in at a juicy 16-second period. That’s proper groundswell with real push, and with clean conditions, the waves will have shape and power. The combined swell energy is moderate-strong at 1735. It’s a bit much for absolute beginners, but for anyone with a bit of experience, this is the session to aim for. Clifton Beach is a fairly consistent spot and fairly exposed to the south, so it picks up the swell well. Crowds are possible, so keep that in mind.

Friday the 11th, though—this one is a warning. Swell jumps up to 12 feet from the southwest with a 15-to-16-second period. The combined energy is over 7000, which is serious. The winds look okay but that size is too big for this break—really only for experts, and even then you’d be pushing it. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on Friday.

Saturday the 12th morning cleans right up. Light offshore breeze from the north, 4-foot SSW swell, 17-second period. Combined energy is 985—moderate—and the waves will be well-shaped. This is another good call for experienced surfers. Sunday the 13th stays small but fun: 3 feet with offshore winds in the morning, period at 16 seconds. Clean but weak at 329 combined energy.

Then we hit a flat spell. Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th are tiny or blown out. Wednesday the 16th morning picks up again: 4 feet, 17-second swell, light cross-off breeze from the NNW, combined energy 1009. That’s another clean, punchy option worth a look.

Thursday the 17th morning is okay at 5 feet but the wind is cross-off, 15-second period, 849 energy. Not a standout but surfable. After that, from Friday the 18th right through to Monday the 21st, conditions are poor—strong cross-onshore winds, messy, or too small. There’s a long gap with no recommendations.

On Saturday the 19th morning there’s a 10-foot swell from the southwest with a 12-second period, but again that’s too big for Clifton. Combined energy is 3288, but it’s blown out anyway.

Looking into the second week, Tuesday the 22nd morning brings a return of decent conditions: 3 feet, 17-second groundswell from the SSW, moderate offshore wind from the NNE, combined energy 638. Clean and workable. Wednesday the 23rd morning has 6 feet from the SSW with a 19-second period—long period, lots of punch—but the cross-shore wind might chop it up a bit, so it’s borderline. Combined energy 2643 is moderate-strong.

Overall, the standout is Thursday morning the 10th, with Friday the 12th morning a close second. After that, it’s picky and patchy, especially in the second week. Keep an eye on forecasts—things can change.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed morning, calm by Fri morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sat morning, strong winds from the W by Mon night).

Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
!
4
1
!
!
!
4
3
1
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SSW
19
2.5
SSW
18
4.5
SW
17
1.8
S
16
1.5
S
16
3
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
16
1.5
S
17
1.3
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
16
1
S
17
0.8
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.5
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
12
1.6
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.4
SW
14
1.2
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3920
4377
11113
1735
1160
3612
5699
5667
1342
985
636
603
329
172
108
64
56
0
854
811
565
Wind (km/h)
30
WSW
35
WSW
25
WSW
10
NW
20
W
15
WNW
5
NW
10
SE
10
NW
5
N
10
ESE
15
N
20
N
10
NW
10
NNW
15
NNW
25
WNW
45
W
30
WSW
25
WSW
15
NNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
4:49PM0.69m
6:54AM0.45m
5:44PM0.64m
7:24AM0.47m
6:40PM0.58m
7:52AM0.50m
7:40PM0.52m
8:18AM0.53m
8:46PM0.46m
8:44AM0.56m
10:01PM0.42m
9:12AM0.58m
11:25PM0.39m
Low Tide
10:18AM0.35m
00:19AM0.09m
11:23AM0.34m
00:58AM0.14m
12:31PM0.32m
1:30AM0.20m
1:39PM0.29m
1:56AM0.26m
2:46PM0.26m
2:15AM0.31m
3:51PM0.23m
2:29AM0.34m
4:50PM0.21m
2:40AM0.37m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:16
6:15
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:58
 mm
Temp °C
10
10
10
15
15
12
15
17
11
11
10
10
18
20
14
17
17
9
12
12
8
Feels °C
2
2
3
11
10
6
13
13
9
7
7
5
15
17
12
13
11
-3
4
5
3
  • 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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