10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Nightcliff, Darwin, Australia
Nightcliff is Darwin's most consistent surf spot—a reef break in Australia's tropical north where crocodiles share the lineup. When cyclone swells from the Timor Sea push toward the coast during the wet season, Nightcliff can produce quality right-hand waves. The catch? Saltwater crocodiles are a genuine risk, as are box jellyfish and sharks. Local surfers check government croc warnings, wear stinger suits, and surf in groups. This is frontier surfing in one of the world's most dangerous marine environments, but for the dedicated few, it's worth the risk.
Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-09 with a score of 15/100 (Poor)
Poor conditions overall: Average score 5/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
No alignment: Swell from 47° is outside workable range 280°-340°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Too small: 0.2m is below minimum 0.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Short period: 3s is below minimum 8s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Moderate offshore: 12 km/h from 67° (ENE). Still grooming but noticeable wind.
+6 points: Multiple days of offshore wind have groomed the ocean surface, creating ultra-clean conditions.
Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
Poor conditions at Nightcliff. Either swell direction (47°), size (0.2m), or wind (12 km/h from 67°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.2m (0.7ft) swell from 47° (NE) at 3s period
No alignment: Swell from 46° is outside workable range 280°-340°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Moderate offshore: 11 km/h from 60° (ENE). Still grooming but noticeable wind.
Poor conditions at Nightcliff. Either swell direction (46°), size (0.2m), or wind (11 km/h from 60°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.2m (0.7ft) swell from 46° (NE) at 3s period
No alignment: Swell from 32° is outside workable range 280°-340°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Too small: 0.1m is below minimum 0.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Short period: 4s is below minimum 8s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Moderate offshore: 11 km/h from 52° (NE). Still grooming but noticeable wind.
Poor conditions at Nightcliff. Either swell direction (32°), size (0.1m), or wind (11 km/h from 52°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.1m (0.3ft) swell from 32° (NNE) at 4s period
No alignment: Swell from 33° is outside workable range 280°-340°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Moderate offshore: 11 km/h from 45° (NE). Still grooming but noticeable wind.
Poor conditions at Nightcliff. Either swell direction (33°), size (0.1m), or wind (11 km/h from 45°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.1m (0.3ft) swell from 33° (NNE) at 3s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 285° is 25° off optimal 310°, workable but not ideal.
Too small: 0.0m is below minimum 0.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Good period: 11s is 92% of ideal 12s. Clean, powerful groundswell.
Onshore/cross-shore: 10 km/h from 20° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
Poor conditions at Nightcliff. Either swell direction (285°), size (0.0m), or wind (10 km/h from 20°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.0m (0.0ft) swell from 285° (WNW) at 11s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 277° is 33° off optimal 310°, barely within workable range 280°-340°.
Moderate period: 8s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 7 km/h from 12° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
Poor conditions at Nightcliff. Either swell direction (277°), size (0.1m), or wind (7 km/h from 12°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.1m (0.3ft) swell from 277° (W) at 8s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 284° is 26° off optimal 310°, workable but not ideal.
Short period: 6s is below minimum 8s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 8 km/h from 21° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
Poor conditions at Nightcliff. Either swell direction (284°), size (0.1m), or wind (8 km/h from 21°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.1m (0.3ft) swell from 284° (WNW) at 6s period
No alignment: Swell from 29° is outside workable range 280°-340°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Onshore/cross-shore: 11 km/h from 31° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
Poor conditions at Nightcliff. Either swell direction (29°), size (0.1m), or wind (11 km/h from 31°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.1m (0.3ft) swell from 29° (NNE) at 3s period
Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
No alignment: Swell from 43° is outside workable range 280°-340°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Onshore/cross-shore: 11 km/h from 35° (NE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 45°-135°.
Poor conditions at Nightcliff. Either swell direction (43°), size (0.1m), or wind (11 km/h from 35°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.1m (0.3ft) swell from 43° (NE) at 3s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 333° is 23° off optimal 310°, workable but not ideal.
Light offshore: 9 km/h from 130° (SE). Grooming the wave face beautifully.
Poor conditions at Nightcliff. Either swell direction (333°), size (0.1m), or wind (9 km/h from 130°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.1m (0.3ft) swell from 333° (NNW) at 3s period
Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)