Clifton Beach
Clifton Beach is Hobart's most accessible surf spot—a crescent-shaped beach on the South Arm peninsula that catches SE swells from the Southern Ocean. The beach offers multiple peaks and is sheltered from the prevailing westerlies by the peninsula. When solid S-SE swells hit, Clifton produces punchy beach break waves that can get surprisingly good. The water is cold year-round, requiring a thick wetsuit even in summer. The proximity to Hobart makes it the go-to spot for the Tasmanian capital's small but dedicated surf community.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (170°)
- Direction range
- 140° - 200°
- Size range
- 1m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Offshore range
- 270° - 360°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.4m
Water temp
13°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Easy access from Hobart. Beach carpark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Clifton Beach?
Clifton Beach is a beach break in Hobart, Australia, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Clifton Beach?
Clifton Beach picks up swell from the SE round to the SSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Clifton Beach?
A NW wind is dead offshore at Clifton Beach, and anything from the W round to the N keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 5am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Clifton Beach?
Clifton Beach has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.3m to 1.4m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Clifton Beach?
The most reliable run of swell at Clifton Beach comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Winter swells from the Southern Ocean. Cold water year-round.
How cold is the water at Clifton Beach?
The water at Clifton Beach averages around 13°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Clifton Beach good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Strong rips. Occasional shark sightings. Cold water requires thick wetsuit.
How do I get to Clifton Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is HBA, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive. Easy access from Hobart. Beach carpark.
What other surf spots are near Clifton Beach?
The closest breaks we track are Eaglehawk Neck (34 km), Shipstern Bluff (35 km) and Cloudy Bay (57 km), handy when Clifton Beach isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Winter swells from the Southern Ocean. Cold water year-round.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Eaglehawk Neck
🏔️ Tasman Peninsula power • Near Shipstern • Dramatic cliffs
Shipstern Bluff
👹 The infamous steps • Tasmania's cold-water demon • Big wave surfing's final frontier
Cloudy Bay
🌊 Southern Ocean power • Bruny Island wilderness • Tassie's hidden gem
Pedra Branca
🇦🇶 Facing Antarctica • Great white territory • Final frontier