Clifton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.99° S 147.53° E

Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 30 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Clifton Beach sea temperature is
11.4°C
0.4° 

Clifton Beach surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 2,961 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s. 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 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sun 30th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 15s
Best Surf10AM (Sun 30th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful10AM (Sun 30th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, with a look at what’s shaping up for Clifton Beach over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, you’re gonna see a big swell roll in this Sunday, August 30th. Morning is looking at a solid 10ft southwest swell with 13-second period straight out of the southwest. That is a powerful swell, with combined energy hitting 3829, but here's the thing – it's predicted to be too big for this break. The cross-shore wind will keep it bumpy, so for a regular paddler, this might be a bit of a beast. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

Honestly, after that initial pulse, things go a bit quiet for a while. From Monday the 31st through the first week of September, the waves either drop right off or the wind goes to hell. There are a couple of glimpses of something decent: on the morning of Tuesday, September 1st, a clean offshore NNW wind at 15 mph hits a tiny 2ft south-southwest swell (320 energy), but that’s knee high at best. Then on the morning of Friday, September 4th, we get a little bump of hope. A 5ft south-southwest swell with a very long 17-second period rolls in (1223 energy), and the wind drops to next to nothing from the NNW. That’s a clean, glassy morning, and for a spot that’s fairly consistent, that little window could offer a few nice, lined-up waves, especially if you’ve got a log. The long period will mean longer waits between sets, though, and it might wall up a bit on the sandbanks.

The rest of that week and into the next gets messy or blown out. The wind really cranks up from the west, and on many days it's just too strong for a pleasant paddle.

Looking way out to the second week, we see another big pulse on Wednesday, September 9th. Morning shows a 10ft southwest swell with a 15-second period. The energy is a massive 6240 – that's serious power. The wind is offshore-ish from the WNW at 15 mph, making things look clean on the surface. But again, for Clifton Beach, 10ft is likely well overhead and a handful. This is for experienced surfers only, and even then, it’s a long-range call so things could change.

After that, the end of the run from the 10th to the 14th is mostly small and average. A few mornings like the 12th (Saturday) and 13th (Sunday) will have some clean-looking 2ft to 3ft south swells with light offshore winds, but it’s small scale, ankle-to-knee high stuff.

Best bet? For a clean, manageable session, aim for the morning of Friday, September 4th. For the big wave crew, keep an eye on Wednesday morning, September 9th.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Thu morning, calm by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
2
4
2
2
2
2
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
2
2
3
3
2
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.3
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
1
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.5
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
14
1
SSW
15
1.4
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
16
1.4
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
16
1
S
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2961
2504
2158
1977
2004
582
259
121
167
404
561
236
474
867
1343
1011
864
754
510
636
280
Wind (km/h)
10
W
15
WSW
10
WNW
10
WSW
10
S
15
NNW
20
NNW
20
NW
25
W
20
WNW
20
WNW
25
WNW
40
WNW
45
W
30
WNW
20
WNW
5
W
20
NNE
15
NNW
5
SSW
40
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
off
glassy
cross-on
High Tide
8:11PM0.57m
9:07AM0.55m
9:22PM0.52m
9:46AM0.59m
10:41PM0.48m
10:30AM0.63m
00:06AM0.45m
11:18AM0.67m
1:31AM0.44m
12:10PM0.70m
2:48AM0.43m
1:05PM0.72m
3:55AM0.43m
Low Tide
2:05PM0.28m
2:43AM0.21m
3:19PM0.25m
3:21AM0.25m
4:32PM0.20m
4:01AM0.29m
5:43PM0.15m
4:44AM0.33m
6:50PM0.10m
5:32AM0.36m
7:55PM0.06m
6:23AM0.37m
8:56PM0.03m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:39
5:40
5:43
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:46
 mm
1
1
3
2
3
1
Temp °C
16
16
11
14
15
11
18
16
11
14
14
13
9
9
10
12
13
12
15
13
10
Feels °C
12
12
8
12
11
7
13
11
7
8
9
7
0
-2
4
7
11
7
12
12
1
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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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