Clifton Beach surf report
Hobart's main surf beach, with peaks along the beach.
New region (beta): these break settings are still being checked by locals. Spot something off? Tell us.
Tomorrow at Clifton Beach (Sun, 4 Oct) · best 5am–6pm
Meh.
Choppy onshore wind, knee-high waves. Rated for a beginner.
- South-south-westerly wind at 11 kn. That's onshore here, so it'll be choppy and messy.
- Waves around knee high (0.4m faces), on the small side, even for a beginner.
- Southerly swell at 7 seconds, an angle this spot likes.
- Mid tide and dropping at 5am, which suits this spot.
Forecast checked Sat, 3 Oct, 9:15 pm Gold Coast time.
When is Clifton Beach good?
- Best wind
- Northerly (offshore) or none
- Best swell
- South-south-east to west-south-west
- Best tide
- Mid tide
- Suits
- Beginner+
Who it suits depends on the size: learners up to about 0.7m, beginners up to about 1.1m, intermediates up to about 1.7m. Bigger than 1.7m it is for advanced surfers. Long-period groundswell hits harder, so it counts as bigger.
It gets most of the open-ocean swell, so there is usually something to ride. A northerly wind blows offshore here, so mornings before the sea breeze are usually cleanest. Get Frothin’ checks the wind, swell, tide and the live wave buoys every hour and tells you, in plain English, whether it's worth paddling out at Clifton Beach for your level.
Watch out
Rips and cold water.
Frequently asked
What are the best conditions for surfing Clifton Beach?
Clifton Beach is best with a northerly (offshore) wind or no wind, a south-south-east to west-south-west swell and mid tide. It gets most of the open-ocean swell, so there is usually something to ride.
What wind is offshore at Clifton Beach?
A northerly wind (N) blows straight offshore at Clifton Beach, holding the waves up and keeping them clean. Light winds are good too. Onshore winds make it choppy.
Is Clifton Beach good for beginners?
It can be. Clifton Beach suits beginners on small, clean days. On bigger days it is better left to more experienced surfers.
What should I watch out for at Clifton Beach?
Rips and cold water.
Nearby breaks
- Park Beach 17.0 km
- Eaglehawk Neck 33.4 km
- Marrawah 325.7 km