Clifton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.99° S 147.53° E

Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Clifton Beach sea temperature is
11.4° C
0.9° 

Clifton Beach surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 7,182 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) 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 1.2m 12s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Mon 20th Jul)1ft (0.3m) 15s
Best Surf10PM (Thu 23rd Jul)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Most Powerful 1AM (Fri 24th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag. We’re starting off with a fairly quiet period, but there’s a decent window of fun waves later on if you’re patient.

The first solid surf we see is on the morning of the 20th of July. Clifton Beach is seeing a tiny 1ft south-southwest swell, but it’s got a very long period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is weak (69). The wind is a cross-offshore from the north-northwest, so it’s clean, but honestly, it’s just too small to get excited about. Water temperature is 53°, which is pretty much average for the time of year.

The next few days are a grind. Tuesday morning, the 21st, we get a bit more size at 2ft, and the wind goes glassy, making it super clean. The combined energy picks up to moderate (112). But it’s still tiny. Wednesday and Thursday get blown out by strong cross-shore winds, with the swell building but the conditions turning messy. The 23rd of July sees swell up to 4ft from the south-southwest, but a 28 mph cross-wind ruins it.

By Friday, the 24th of July, we start to see some real energy. The morning offers 6ft of south-southwest swell, with a period of 16 seconds and a combined energy of 1512, which is strong. The wind is cross-off from the northwest, but it’s fresh at 19 mph. It’s still a bit rough, but it’s the first decent window. The afternoon jumps to 8ft, but the wind goes cross and makes it lumpy.

The standout window is the morning of Thursday, the 30th of July. Clifton Beach gets a solid 8ft south-southwest swell, with a period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is very strong (2942). The wind is a gentle cross-offshore from the west-northwest, keeping it clean. This is the best of the bunch for experienced surfers, as the size is over 8ft. The long period means it’ll be better shaped, but with that size, it’s a handful.

Then, on the morning of the 2nd of August, things get big. The swell is 10ft from the south-southwest, with a 15-second period and a massive combined energy of 5495. The wind is offshore from the north, and it’s clean. However, the swell is too big for Clifton Beach, so it’s only for the experts. The afternoon of that same day drops to 7ft, with a light cross-offshore wind, making it excellent for experienced surfers.

After that, the surf settles back down. The 3rd and 4th of August offer smaller, cleaner waves in the 3ft to 4ft range, with good conditions for a more relaxed session.

Overall, the best bet is the morning of the 30th of July for the best combination of size, clean conditions, and energy. If you’re after a big, clean swell, the morning of the 2nd of August is a ripper, but it’s a big-boy wave.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Thu afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Sat afternoon).

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
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
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
!
2
1
0
0
1
2
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSW
16
0.3
SSW
15
0.4
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
12
0.4
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
1.3
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
14
1.3
SSW
13
4
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
16
2.4
SSW
15
2.5
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.8
S
9
0.8
SSW
12
0.7
S
11
0.7
S
11
0.5
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
48
42
73
105
99
59
66
183
763
497
595
7182
1512
2513
2546
173
117
169
119
108
58
Wind (km/h)
20
NNW
10
NNW
10
NNW
5
NNE
5
NNE
20
NNW
25
WNW
25
W
20
WNW
35
W
45
W
30
WSW
30
NW
35
W
30
SW
20
SSW
5
NNE
10
NNW
15
NW
10
WNW
15
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
12:37PM0.53m
11:47PM0.42m
12:55PM0.57m
00:58AM0.38m
1:16PM0.60m
2:14AM0.35m
1:44PM0.63m
3:25AM0.34m
2:17PM0.66m
4:29AM0.35m
2:56PM0.68m
5:24AM0.35m
3:37PM0.69m
Low Tide
6:58PM0.34m
5:44AM0.26m
8:04PM0.29m
5:54AM0.29m
8:54PM0.25m
6:10AM0.31m
9:37PM0.21m
6:37AM0.32m
10:16PM0.18m
7:14AM0.33m
10:57PM0.15m
7:57AM0.33m
11:40PM0.13m
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:33
7:31
7:31
7:30
7:28
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:58
4:59
5:00
5:00
5:01
5:02
5:04
 mm
2
1
1
3
1
4
6
1
1
Temp °C
14
15
13
12
13
12
10
9
7
8
7
7
12
11
11
8
8
9
12
12
11
Feels °C
9
11
10
11
10
8
4
2
1
-2
-3
1
5
4
3
3
6
6
10
9
6
  • 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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