Clifton tides today
- Tide now 5.4 ft ↑ rising · high 7:56 pm (7.4 ft)
- Best time to fish 7:30–8:40 pm good day · 7/10
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Waves · water 1.1 ft · 59 °F smooth · 5.5 s from the east-northeast
- Wind · air 8 mph · 53 °F from the ENE, gusts 23 · light drizzle
- Surf tomorrow Flat Flat day · 1/10 · 8:00 am–12:00 pm
- Sun 6:16 am–8:10 pm 13 h 54 min of daylight
- Moon 89% waning gibbous
Today in Clifton there are high tides at 7:29 am (8.0 ft) and 7:56 pm (7.4 ft) and low tides at 1:11 am and 1:47 pm. Tide coefficient 81. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 7:56 pm. The sun rises at 6:16 am and sets at 8:10 pm: 13 h 54 min of daylight. The moon is 89% illuminated (waning gibbous). Major solunar periods run from 2:23 am to 4:23 am and from 2:56 pm to 4:56 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 27 to 29. The sea is smooth, with 1.1 ft waves. There's a gentle breeze from the east-northeast (8 mph). Light drizzle, 53 °F.
Fishing in Clifton today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: high- High tide at 7:29 am, coefficient 81
- Minor period 7:08–8:08 am (moonset)
- Sunrise at 6:16 am
- Falling pressure (−0.30 inHg in 24 h), almost no wind and calm sea (1.2 ft waves)
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 81 (average tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 6:30 am to 8:10 am, combines the 7:29 am high tide, moonset, sunrise and falling pressure. Also good from 7:30 pm to 8:40 pm, with the 7:56 pm high tide and sunset. Also good from 12:50 pm to 2:50 pm, with the 1:47 pm low tide, falling pressure and a light onshore breeze.
Species with the most records nearby: tope shark, Chinook salmon and yellowtail amberjack. What you can catch
Beach day in Clifton
Is it a beach day?
- Onshore breeze (12 mph)
- Calm for swimming: 1.2 ft waves
- UV 6 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen
- Low tide at 1:47 pm: more sand
- Cloudy (78% cloud cover)
- Feels like 55 °F: chilly for the beach
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 1.2 ft
1.2 ft waves: calm for swimming. Low rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 59 °F
Cold: ease in slowly.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 6 · SPF 30
Max UV 6 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Wind 12 mph
Onshore breeze (12 mph).
- Tide & sand 1:11 am
Low tide at 1:11 am and 1:47 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 7:29 am and 7:56 pm.
We don't have data on jellyfish, sargassum or beach closures: ask the lifeguard or check with the local beach authority. How it works · The next 7 days
Beaches near Clifton
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Matuku-takotako / Sumner Beach 0.6 mi · SE
- Lifeguard
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Parking
- Taylor's Mistake Beach 1.9 mi · SE
- Lifeguard
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Parking
- Corsair Bay 3.9 mi · SW
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Parking
- Magazine Bay 3.9 mi · SW
- Parking
- Shelly Cove 4.0 mi · S
- Restrooms
- Cass Bay 4.1 mi · SW
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Parking
- Walkers Beach 5.6 mi · SW
- Restrooms
- New Brighton Beach 6.0 mi · N
- Lifeguard
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Parking
Named beaches within 6.2 mi, nearest first. Amenities from OpenStreetMap: some may be missing or out of date. View on OpenStreetMap · Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Clifton
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Clifton
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Low tide 1:11 am 1.3 ft
- ▲ High tide 7:29 am 8.0 ft · coef. 81
- ▼ Low tide 1:47 pm 1.3 ft
- ▲ Next high tide 7:56 pm 7.4 ft · coef. 81
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 2 h 29 min to high tide at 7:56 pm.
Tide coefficient 81 for the 7:29 am high tide and 81 for the 7:56 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 6.7 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: an average range for this place. 70 is an average tide here; 90 and above means spring tides; below 45, neap tides. What is the tide coefficient?
2026 extremes: the highest tide of the year is on December 26 (8.5 ft) and the lowest, on July 16 (0.8 ft).
Semidiurnal: two high and two low tides a day, of similar height.
Heights above chart datum (CD), the zero of that port's nautical charts. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. chart datum (CD)
Tide coefficient and range in October
The biggest tides of the month came from October 27 to 31 (coefficient 81, 6.7 ft range). The smallest, from October 17 to 20 (coefficient 52, 4.4 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Tide 3 | Tide 4 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Thu 29 | 6:16 am · 8:10 pm | Low tide 1:11 am · 1.3 ft | High tide 7:29 am · 8.0 ft | Low tide 1:47 pm · 1.3 ft | High tide 7:56 pm · 7.4 ft | Coef. 81 | 89% | Major periods 2:23 am · 2:56 pm | High |
| Fri 30 | 6:15 am · 8:12 pm | Low tide 2:07 am · 1.3 ft | High tide 8:25 am · 8.1 ft | Low tide 2:44 pm · 1.3 ft | High tide 8:55 pm · 7.4 ft | Coef. 81 | 81% | Major periods 3:28 am · 4:00 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 6:13 am · 8:13 pm | Low tide 3:04 am · 1.3 ft | High tide 9:23 am · 8.0 ft | Low tide 3:42 pm · 1.3 ft | High tide 9:55 pm · 7.4 ft | Coef. 80 | 71% | Major periods 4:32 am · 5:03 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:12 am · 8:14 pm | Low tide 4:01 am · 1.4 ft | High tide 10:21 am · 7.9 ft | Low tide 4:41 pm · 1.4 ft | High tide 10:54 pm · 7.4 ft | Coef. 79 | 60% | Major periods 5:33 am · 6:02 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:10 am · 8:16 pm | Low tide 5:00 am · 1.5 ft | High tide 11:20 am · 7.8 ft | Low tide 5:40 pm · 1.4 ft | High tide 11:52 pm · 7.4 ft | Coef. 77 | Last quarter | Major periods 6:29 am · 6:56 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:09 am · 8:17 pm | Low tide 5:59 am · 1.5 ft | High tide 12:19 pm · 7.7 ft | Low tide 6:37 pm · 1.5 ft | — | Coef. 76 | 38% | Major periods 7:21 am · 7:45 pm | Medium |
| Wed 4 | 6:08 am · 8:18 pm | High tide 12:49 am · 7.4 ft | Low tide 6:59 am · 1.6 ft | High tide 1:16 pm · 7.6 ft | Low tide 7:33 pm · 1.5 ft | Coef. 76 | 28% | Major periods 8:09 am · 8:31 pm | Medium |
▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above chart datum (CD). Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.
Where this tide comes from
Tides from the Sumner Head station (LINZ), 0.9 mi from Clifton. Times and heights are its predictions.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database). This work is based on Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand data which are licensed by Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. Licensed CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Modified: see https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database#modifications-to-source-data
The sea at Clifton
Sea stateSea state: smooth
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common0.6 ft
- Significant1.1 ft
- Highest expectedHighest2.2 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 2.2 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 2.2 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Onshore wind. The coast faces northeast and the wind blows straight in from the sea: more surf and backwash at the shore, and bait and boats drift toward land.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves build over the next few days. The biggest waves arrive on Monday 2: 2.8 ft with a period of 4 s, from the north (slight).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water is steady these days, with no sudden changes.
Water warmer than normal for late October (+4.2 °F).
Satellite: NASA MUR (JPL MUR MEaSUREs, PO.DAAC), doi:10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04. Sources and licenses
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 5:27 pm (local time).
Surf in Clifton today
Surf today
Poor- Barely any waves (1.0 ft sets): flat
- Almost no wind (3 mph): glassy water
- Rising tide (low tide at 1:47 pm)
- Light: First light 5:45 am · sunrise 6:16 am · sunset 8:10 pm · last light 8:41 pm
- Tide: low 1:11 am (1.3 ft), high 7:29 am (8.0 ft), low 1:47 pm (1.3 ft) and high 7:56 pm (7.4 ft). Every break has its own tide: some work at low tide and others at high tide. The tide doesn’t change the score here.
- Water at 59.0 °F: a 4/3 fullsuit (booties if you run cold).
- Energy: 1 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 6:00 am to 10:00 am, has glassy water, though with barely any waves.
An estimate for this stretch of coast, not for a specific break: every beach or reef works its own way (its tide, bottom and angle). Check it when you get there.
Follow the flags and the lifeguards, and don’t paddle out if the surf is above your level: this score is a guide, not a substitute for what you see when you get there.
Diving in Clifton today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- Slack water around low tide (1:47 pm): little current from 1:20 pm to 2:10 pm
- 0.7 ft swell at 5 s from the northeast: barely any surge
- Light onshore wind (10 mph)
- 0.0 mph current toward the east, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: low tide 1:11 am (12:40–1:40 am), high tide 7:29 am (7:00–7:50 am), low tide 1:47 pm (1:20–2:10 pm) and high tide 7:56 pm (7:30–8:20 pm)
- Likely visibility: good. The sea has been calm and there's been little rain. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 59.0 °F: a 7 mm wetsuit, with hood and booties.
- Snorkeling: good, calm sea and light wind.
- Night dive: dark from 8:41 pm. Waning gibbous (89%): a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 12:40 pm to 2:50 pm, combines slack water at low tide, little swell, light wind, weak current and the sun high. Also good from 6:40 am to 8:10 am, with slack water at high tide, little swell, light wind and weak current. Also good from 7:00 pm to 8:10 pm, with slack water at high tide, little swell, light wind and weak current.
Slack water comes from the tide: in inlets, channels and between islands the water can keep running for an hour or two after. Ask the local dive shop.
Never dive alone and check with the local dive shop: this rating is a guide, not a substitute for a professional.
Dive sites, wrecks and dive shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
Within 12 mi. Some may be missing or closed; marine reserves usually need a permit. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Weather in Clifton
Now in Clifton
- Low / high
- 44 / 57 °F
- Rain
- 0.30 in · 100%
- Clouds
- 52%
- Humidity
- 70%
- Dew pointDew point
- 44 °F
- Visibility
- 15 mi
- UV indexUV
- 1 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Good · 16
- Saharan dust
- No
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady · now Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Steady now (−0.02 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: +0.82 inHg. Steady pressure: anglers expect normal activity. Fast changes, either way, tend to affect fishing.
Today, hour by hourHour by hour
Bars: mean wind. Dashed line: gusts. Arrows point where the wind blows to.
| Time | 12:00 am | 3:00 am | 6:00 am | 9:00 am | 12:00 pm | 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky | Overcast | Partly cloudy | Light drizzle | Light drizzle | Light rain | Light drizzle | Light drizzle | Light drizzle |
| Temperature | 53° | 54° | 52° | 55° | 54° | 54° | 52° | 47° |
| Wind (mph) | 7 NNW | 7 NW | 6 WNW | 2 NW | 6 ENE | 11 NE | 7 ENE | 9 S |
| Gusts | 23 | 24 | 21 | 13 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 20 |
| Waves | 1.2 ft | 1.3 ft | 1.2 ft | 1.1 ft | 1.2 ft | 1.1 ft | 1.0 ft | 1.0 ft |
| Rain | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.01 in | 0.01 in | 0.05 in | 0.01 in | 0.01 in | 0.02 in |
- 6:00 pm 52° 7 ENE 1.0 ft
- 9:00 pm 47° 9 S 1.0 ft
- 12:00 am 43° 4 SW 0.8 ft
- 3:00 am 40° 3 NW 0.7 ft
- 6:00 am 40° 5 NNW 0.6 ft
- 9:00 am 49° 2 NW 0.7 ft
- 12:00 pm 60° 7 WSW 0.7 ft
- 3:00 pm 56° 17 SSW 1.2 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 29 | 44 / 57 °F | 12 mph NNE | 1.3 ft | 7:29 am · 7:56 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 39 / 61 °F | 22 mph SW | 2.0 ft | 8:25 am · 8:55 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 38 / 60 °F | 14 mph S | 1.8 ft | 9:23 am · 9:55 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 42 / 69 °F | 16 mph NW | 2.2 ft | 10:21 am · 10:54 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 58 / 70 °F | 26 mph NNW | 2.8 ft | 11:20 am · 11:52 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 51 / 60 °F | 11 mph E | 2.2 ft | 12:19 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 53 / 76 °F | 7 mph NNE | 1.6 ft | 12:49 am · 1:16 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 58 / 74 °F | 15 mph NNE | 3.1 ft | 1:45 am · 2:12 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 56 / 65 °F | 13 mph SW | 2.8 ft | 2:39 am · 3:04 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 54 / 62 °F | 10 mph ENE | 1.5 ft | 3:32 am · 3:54 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 51 / 72 °F | 16 mph S | — | 4:22 am · 4:42 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 47 / 55 °F | 13 mph SSE | — | 5:11 am · 5:29 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 47 / 64 °F | 11 mph NE | — | 5:58 am · 6:15 pm | |
| Wed 11 | 50 / 76 °F | 13 mph SW | — | 6:43 am · 7:01 pm |
- Fri 30 Drizzle 39° / 61° 2.0 ft
- Sat 31 Mainly clear 38° / 60° 1.8 ft
- Sun 1 Overcast 42° / 69° 2.2 ft
- Mon 2 Light drizzle 58° / 70° 2.8 ft
- Tue 3 Light drizzle 51° / 60° 2.2 ft
- Wed 4 Light drizzle 53° / 76° 1.6 ft
- Thu 5 Drizzle 58° / 74° 3.1 ft
Each day comes from the best model covering this spot: regional ones first (HRRR and NBM in the U.S., AROME, ICON-EU), then ECMWF; day 16, NOAA GFS. Waves: Météo-France up to day 10, then ECMWF WAM, coarser and further offshore. High tides: our own tide calculation.
- The models Partly agree · medium confidence: unsure about rain today. See the models →
- Outlook Next few weeks, compared with normal: a bit warmer and normal rain. See the outlook →
- Normal Today, cooler than normal for late October (−6.1 °F; normal high: 63 °F). Climate by month →
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 5:27 pm (local time).
The sun in Clifton
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 5:08 am
- Full dark 9:19 pm
- Civil dawn 5:45 am
- Civil dusk 8:41 pm
- Solar noon 1:13 pm (60° high)
- Daylight 13 h 54 min (+3 min)
- Evening golden hour 7:31 pm
- Full dark 9:19 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,347,180 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Clifton
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,442 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: high- 2:23–4:23 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 2:56–4:56 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 7:08–8:08 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 11:48 pm–12:48 am Minor · moonrise · medium activity
According to solunar theory, fish feed more when the moon passes overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 h) and when it rises or sets (minor periods, 1 h). It works best around new and full moon.
Upcoming moon phases
2026 moon calendar →- Last quarter Mon, Nov 2 · 9:29 amNov 2 in 4 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 8:03 pmNov 9 in 11 days
- First quarter Wed, Nov 18 · 12:48 amNov 18 in 20 days
- Full moon Wed, Nov 25 · 3:54 amNov 25 in 27 days
Perigee on October 29, 226,426 mi away, coinciding with the spring tides from October 27 to 29: they will be stronger than usual.
Where to fish in Clifton
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Jetty 0.0 mi
- Jetty 0.2 mi
- Jetty 0.3 mi
- Jetty 0.6 mi
- Jetty 0.9 mi
- Boat ramp 0.3 mi
- Boat ramp 0.9 mi
- Sumner Boating & Fishing Club Boatramp 1.2 mi
- Te Ana Marina - Dampier Bay 3.3 mi
- Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō 4.4 mi
- Anglers Warehouse 3.1 mi
- Pegasus Fishing 3.7 mi
Within 9.3 mi. A spot may be missing or closed. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps.
Water depth
Shallow, gradualShallow, gradual bottom: you need to go 1.4 mi out for 33 ft of water.
From the shoreline (800 ft from Clifton) out to sea, heading northeast.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep0.65 mi
- 33 ft deep1.4 mi
- 66 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Shallow, gradual bottom (16 ft at 0.65 mi): cast far from the beach and fish the high tide, when there is more water close in.
- Swimming. A very gentle way in with plenty of shallow water, good for kids. At low tide the water can be far out.
- Diving. Shallow near shore: you only reach 33 ft at 1.4 mi. For dives deeper than 33 ft, go by boat.
Rough estimate: here the data comes in cells of about 0.3 mi and misses details near shore (rocks, sandbars, small coves).
Source: NOAA ETOPO 2022 (CC0), cells of about 0.3 mi; depth below mean sea level. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Nearest lighthouse
Godley Head 3.3 mi southeast
- Light
- 3 long white flashes every 26 s · LFl(3) W 26s
- Range
- 17 nautical miles (20 mi)
- Light height
- 417 ft above sea level
- Tower height
- 13 ft
Other lighthouses nearby: Lyttelton Lighthouse (3.5 mi southwest), Purua Bay (4.2 mi south).
Light details: NGA List of Lights (USA); the rest from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Sources and licenses
Tides near CliftonTides nearby
- Sumner0.6 mi
- Redcliffs0.7 mi
- Mount Pleasant1.7 mi
- Heathcote Valley2.1 mi
- Lyttelton3.1 mi
- South New Brighton3.3 mi
- New Brighton3.4 mi
- Rapaki4.4 mi
- Aranui4.6 mi
- Diamond Harbour4.6 mi
Clifton at a glance
- Town or city of about 1,900 people. Coordinates: 43.564° S, 172.749° E.
- It is 6.2 mi east of Christchurch, the main place in Canterbury. The sun rises 1 min earlier and sets at the same time than in Christchurch.
- The nearest tide station, Sumner Head, is 0.9 mi to the east.
- Its coast faces northeast.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Gladstone Wharf (3.4 mi), Corsair Bay (4.0 mi), Cass Bay (4.1 mi).
Questions about CliftonQuestions
What time is high tide today in Clifton?
Today in Clifton there are high tides at 7:29 am (8.0 ft) and 7:56 pm (7.4 ft) and low tides at 1:11 am and 1:47 pm. Tide coefficient 81.
What time is sunset today in Clifton?
At 8:10 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 8:41 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Clifton?
At 6:15 am. First light comes at 5:06 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 89% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 8:03 pm.
When are the next spring tides?
From October 27 to 29, together with the lunar perigee: they will be stronger than usual.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 2:23–4:23 am, Minor 7:08–8:08 am, Major 2:56–4:56 pm, Minor 11:48 pm–12:48 am. Today's activity is high.
What's the weather like today in Clifton?
Light rain, from 44 °F to 57 °F, with a gentle breeze from the east-northeast (8 mph) and a 100% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Clifton?
Smooth (Douglas 2): 1.1 ft waves with a period of 5.5 s from the east-northeast. The water is 59.4 °F.
When is the best time to visit Clifton?
The best time to visit Clifton is from January to February: highs of 70 °F to 71 °F, about 7 rainy days a month and 7 hours of sunshine a day.
Can I use this data for navigation?
No. These are predictions for fishing and leisure; for navigation, use the official publications.
Where this data comes from
Tide: Sumner Head station. This work is based on Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand data which are licensed by Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand for re-use under the CC BY 4.0 licence; via Slackwater database (changes). Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).