
Surf Forecasts:
Clifton Beach surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,415 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Clifton Beach in the next 16 days are 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 13s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Clifton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a mixed bag coming up at Clifton Beach, with a real kicker waiting for us if we can be patient.
The overall pattern shows a solid pulse of groundswell arriving this Friday, July 17th, and that’s where the good stuff is. The rest of the forecast has some clean windows but the swell is pretty small most of the time, especially through the weekend and into the middle of next week. There’s a bit of a dry spell from around Monday, July 20th, through to Thursday, July 23rd, where the surf is either tiny or messy. But then things look like they might get interesting again for the last few days of July and into August.
Friday, July 17th is the clear standout. The morning is where it’s at. We’ve got a nice 4ft SSW swell churning with a long 17-second period, giving it some real grunt – the combined energy is a solid 888 (moderate). That’s proper groundswell. The wind is holding offshore from the NNW at 12 mph, keeping the wave faces clean and smooth. The water temp is sitting at 53°, which is about average for this time of year, nothing weird to report. This is a very good session, just a solid, clean, chest-high day at Clifton. The offshore wind is a major positive here.
Friday afternoon drops off to 3ft, but still clean with a gentle offshore. It’s still good, but the morning is the pick.
Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th are smaller. We’re looking at 3ft to 3ft on Saturday with a cross-offshore breeze, and Sunday is even smaller at 2ft to 3ft. The period drops to 11-13 seconds. The combined energy is weak to moderate (189-277). The conditions are clean, but the waves are just ordinary. It’s surfable, but you’ll be fighting for scraps.
Then we hit a quiet patch. From Monday, July 20th through to Thursday, July 23rd, the swell is tiny, often under 2ft, with poor conditions and mixed winds. Hold onto your boards.
The next real highlight is a big one, but it’s a long way off. Tuesday, July 28th is the standout of the second week. We’re looking at a powerful 7ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 1757 (strong to very strong). The wind is offshore from the N at 16 mph. This is a big, clean, powerful swell. Now, 7ft is getting into expert territory, definitely not for beginners. And with that solid 14-second period, it’s a proper groundswell that will have some juice behind it. It might be a bit unruly and straight at a beach break, but with offshore winds, it could offer some great, clean lines.
The day before, Monday, July 27th, is a write-off, so the 28th is the one to circle on the calendar. The following Thursday, July 30th, also looks promising with a 5ft S swell and offshore winds, but the 28th is the bigger, more powerful option.
Bottom line: Hit it hard this Friday morning, July 17th, for the best combo of size, period, and clean conditions. Then be ready for a big, powerful, expert-only day on Tuesday, July 28th, if you’ve got the skills and the nerve.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
888 | 452 | 305 | 173 | 205 | 184 | 119 | 84 | 53 | 48 | 42 | 69 | 158 | 101 | 61 | 29 | 0 | 119 | 256 | 452 | 481 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:29AM0.44m | 8:56PM0.64m | 11:57AM0.47m | 9:49PM0.56m | 12:18PM0.50m | 10:45PM0.48m | 12:37PM0.53m | 11:47PM0.42m | 12:55PM0.57m | 00:58AM0.38m | 1:16PM0.60m | 2:14AM0.35m | 1:44PM0.63m | 3:25AM0.34m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:33PM0.41m | 4:45AM0.11m | 4:05PM0.40m | 5:14AM0.17m | 5:36PM0.38m | 5:33AM0.22m | 6:58PM0.34m | 5:44AM0.26m | 8:04PM0.29m | 5:54AM0.29m | 8:54PM0.25m | 6:10AM0.31m | 9:37PM0.21m | ||||||||
7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | |
— | 4:55 | — | — | 4:57 | — | — | 4:57 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Feels °C | 8 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | NE 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
888 | 452 | 305 | 173 | 205 | 184 | 119 | 84 | 53 | 20 | 42 | 69 | 158 | 101 | 61 | 29 | 4 | 62 | 58 | 452 | 481 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 15 | SE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | ESE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SSW 16 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SE 13 | NE 11 | NE 10 | SSW 8 | E 12 | E 10 | SSW 16 | E 10 | E 9 |
— | 4 | 12 | 92 | 51 | 28 | 40 | 38 | 54 | 48 | 18 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 256 | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 18 | — | SE 17 | SE 17 | S 22 | S 20 | S 18 | SSW 17 | SE 14 | S 10 | NE 11 | NE 11 | SE 13 | SE 12 | NE 10 | — | E 12 | E 10 | — | — |
— | 6 | — | 12 | 11 | 9 | 30 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 4 | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 3 | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | SW 13 | SW 7 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | NNW 4 |
— | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 282 | 119 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Coast of Tasmania | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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










