Clifton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.99° S 147.53° E

Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 11 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Clifton Beach sea temperature is
11.0° C
0.8° 

Clifton Beach surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 5,157 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Clifton Beach in the next 16 days are 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 15s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Tue 11th Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 15s
Best Surf 4PM (Thu 13th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 4PM (Thu 13th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let's take a look at the surf coming our way.

We’ve got a pretty slow start on the cards. The first window of any interest is around Tuesday morning, August 11th, but to be honest the waves are tiny. The water temp is sitting at 51.8°, which is about 1.4° below the norm for this time of year, so it’s just that little bit cooler than average.

From Tuesday morning the 11th, Clifton Beach will see a pretty sluggish 1.3ft of swell from the SSW. The period is a long 15 seconds, hinting at some groundswell energy, but the combined energy is only 127, so it’s weak. The wind is glassy though, which is a real treat – that'll keep the surface silky. It's surfable, but very ordinary. The afternoon picks up a bit to 2.3ft, still from the SSW but with 18 seconds period, and the energy jumps to moderate (333) with clean offshore wind. That’s a better prospect, but still small. The crowd factor is "often" here, so expect some company.

Wednesday the 12th, morning shows 3.3ft from the SSW (16 sec period, energy 499 - moderate). The wind is cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean, but it's marginal due to questionable tide. The arvo gets a bit uglier with 3ft and cross-on wind making it choppy - a definite miss.

Thursday the 13th gets interesting. Morning sees 4.3ft from the SSW (16 sec, 870 energy - moderate) and cross-off wind for cleaner surf. But it's still described as marginal. The real standout is Thursday afternoon: a solid 11.5ft from the SW (15 sec period), with a massive 6467 combined energy - that’s strong stuff. The wind is cross-off and light, conditions look clean. But let’s be real, 11.5ft is too big for most, this is purely for the experienced crew. Not a beginner’s session.

Friday the 14th drops back to 4.6ft in the morning, but with a moderate cross-shore wind making a chop. Not great. The afternoon gets onshore and sloppy. Avoid.

Now we come to the best of the run. Saturday the 15th. The morning brings 3.9ft from the S, 16-second period, cross-off wind, and combined energy of 734 (moderate). The forecast says "very good surf conditions". For a beach break like Clifton, that’s a solid call. The afternoon holds up with 3.9ft again, becoming glassy – that’s a near-perfect window. This is the one to aim for.

Sunday the 16th morning is glassy but tiny at 2.6ft (269 energy). It’s clean, but you’ll be scratching for waves. The rest of the week drops off into small, weak swell. There is a tiny bump on Saturday the 22nd with a 4.6ft short-period swell from the SSW, but that’s accompanied by an onshore wind, so it’s a write-off.

After the 15th, the surf just fades away. The period between the 16th and the end of the 16-day window is mostly small, often under 1.5ft, with poor conditions. Not much to get excited about. By the time we get to the second week, it's really just small, clean scraps, if that.

So bottom line: Saturday the 15th is your day. Morning session with cross-off wind, or the afternoon when it goes glassy – take your pick. The big Thursday afternoon swell on the 13th is for advanced surfers only. Everything else is small or messy.

Stay safe out there.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
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
2
2
1
0
2
2
!
3
1
0
2
3
2
2
2
0
1
1
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)
0.4
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
18
0.7
SSW
17
1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
18
1.3
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
16
3.5
SW
15
1.6
SSW
17
1.4
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
15
1.2
S
16
1.2
S
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
17
0.7
SSW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
84
333
297
499
448
870
870
5157
1523
974
773
574
734
644
336
269
204
139
104
227
315
Wind (km/h)
5
WNW
10
N
20
N
15
WNW
20
WSW
15
WNW
15
WNW
10
WNW
15
NW
20
W
20
S
10
N
5
NNW
5
SE
5
NNE
5
NNW
5
E
5
W
0
NNE
10
SE
10
N
Wind State
glassy
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
on
off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-on
off
High Tide
5:07PM0.78m
7:58AM0.41m
6:00PM0.75m
8:43AM0.42m
6:54PM0.70m
9:21AM0.44m
7:48PM0.63m
9:52AM0.47m
8:44PM0.55m
10:18AM0.50m
9:44PM0.48m
10:42AM0.53m
10:52PM0.42m
Low Tide
10:09AM0.37m
1:02AM0.00m
11:08AM0.37m
1:51AM0.04m
12:14PM0.37m
2:35AM0.09m
1:27PM0.36m
3:12AM0.15m
2:45PM0.35m
3:40AM0.21m
4:05PM0.32m
4:01AM0.26m
5:20PM0.29m
clear
clear
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:24
5:25
 mm
1
2
3
Temp °C
12
13
12
11
9
10
13
13
12
13
10
11
12
13
11
12
13
12
12
12
12
Feels °C
9
10
8
7
4
5
10
10
8
7
6
8
11
11
9
11
11
11
10
9
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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