Clifton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.99° S 147.53° E

Clifton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 13 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Clifton Beach sea temperature is
10.8° C
1.0° 

Clifton Beach surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,452 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 16s period. 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 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Thu 13th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Best Surf 7PM (Thu 13th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Most Powerful 7PM (Thu 13th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what is on offer for us over the next couple of weeks.

First up, the water temp is sitting at 51° – that’s a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you are going to want a thick suit and maybe some booties if you are heading out at Clifton Beach. The week kicks off with a decent pulse of swell, but it’s messy. Thursday morning the 13th sees a solid 6ft SSW swell with a long 16-second period, pumping a strong wave energy (1358), but that west wind is making a mess of it with a cross-chop. It’s not going to be clean. By Thursday afternoon it cleans up nicely with a gentle cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is still a bit jumbled and the tide might not be your friend.

Friday morning the 14th drops off a touch to 5ft with that same long-period groundswell, but a moderate WNW cross-off keeps it rideable for those who are keen. The afternoon goes straight downhill though – onshore wind and rain kill it completely. Saturday morning the 15th is easily the standout of the first week. We get a clean 5ft S groundswell with a 16-second period, and glassy offshore winds from the NNW. That is going to be the session to aim for; clean, lined-up, and with decent energy (1121). It will be great for experienced surfers, maybe a little much for beginners at that size, but the quality makes up for it.

After Saturday, the swell fades fast. Sunday through to the end of the following week sees tiny, weak surf – we are talking 0.7ft to 2ft with very low energy. We go from a moderate 315 on Sunday morning down to barely a ripple mid-week. It is a long stretch of flat to near-flat conditions, so don’t bother paddling out from Sunday the 16th onward unless you want a float.

The second week does show a little more life. By Monday the 24th, we get a pulse back, with 3ft SSW swell and a solid 16-second period. The wind looks favorable with a moderate cross-off, but with the combined energy only at 519 it is not going to be a big day. Then the end of the window – Thursday the 27th – has the biggest swell of the whole forecast: 7ft from the SSW with a long period of 16 seconds and very strong energy (2456). That is proper, powerful groundswell, but the wind is cross-shore, putting a chop on it. It will be a serious challenge, only for experts, and even then it could be a battle.

Truth is, if you have to pick just one, Saturday morning the 15th is the clear winner. Clean, glassy, and a strong, long-period swell with good energy. It won't be perfect for beginners at that size, but for anyone with a bit of experience, that is the one to circle.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Thu night, calm by Sat morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
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
3
1
1
0
2
3
2
2
1
0
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SSW
16
1.8
SSW
16
1.4
SSW
16
1.5
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
16
1.5
S
16
1.5
S
16
1.3
S
15
1
S
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
12
0.6
SSW
12
0.7
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
0.5
SSW
15
0.5
SSW
17
0.5
SSW
16
0.4
SSW
15
0.3
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
18
0.3
SSW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1358
1656
964
1051
1393
1145
1121
753
405
261
162
115
315
376
123
164
144
77
42
31
58
Wind (km/h)
20
W
15
NW
30
WNW
25
WNW
25
SSW
5
WSW
10
NNW
5
ESE
10
NW
5
NNW
10
SSE
10
NNW
10
N
15
ENE
20
N
25
N
15
NNE
20
NNE
15
NNE
25
N
20
N
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross
off
cross
cross-off
off
on
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
High Tide
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
11:07AM0.56m
00:08AM0.38m
11:36AM0.59m
1:25AM0.37m
Low Tide
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
4:14AM0.30m
6:26PM0.26m
4:26AM0.33m
7:21PM0.23m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:00
6:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:28
5:29
 mm
2
4
1
Temp °C
14
14
13
11
10
10
9
11
9
11
12
11
12
13
11
14
16
13
17
17
13
Feels °C
10
10
9
5
4
5
8
8
7
8
8
8
9
9
7
10
12
8
13
11
7
  • 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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