Surf spot

Nightcliff beach

Forecast conditions and map view for Nightcliff beach in Australia. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Australia
Coordinates: -12.3781, 130.8466

Metric
Metric	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00
Wave height (m)	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.2	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1	0	0.1	0.2	0.3
Wave direction	NNE	NNE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NNE	NE	NE	NNE	NNE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NNE	N	NNE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NE	NE	E	ESE	NE	NE	NNE	N	NNE	NE	ENE	E	NE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NE	NE	E	NE	NE
Wave period (s)	2.3	2.5	2.6	2.6	2.8	3.6	4	3	2.6	2.5	2.4	2.5	2.7	3	2.6	2.5	2.3	2.2	2.3	2.5	2.7	2.7	2.5	2.3	2.2	2.4	2.5	2.5	2.7	3.1	2.9	2.5	2.3	2.4	2.5	2.6	2.3	1.8	2.5	2.4	2	2	2.1	2.3	2.1	2.1	3.1	2.4	2.3	2.3	2.4	2.7	3	2.7	3.2	2.5
Wave energy (kJ)	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Wind speed (km/h)	15.5	10.4	11.4	18.8	17.3	18.8	17.5	6.3	7.9	6.4	8.6	18.9	19.8	17.7	14.8	7.4	5.4	5.8	8.2	18.9	17.6	19.7	13.6	9.4	5.5	7.2	10.7	16.3	10.4	11.9	8.5	7.6	3	5.4	10.1	18.4	16.1	14.2	6.1	5	4.2	4.7	10.6	21.4	22.3	19.6	15.8	7.8	7.2	7	11.1	19.1	18.2	21.4	20.7	17.3
Wind direction	EOffshore	EOffshore	EOffshore	EOffshore	EOffshore	NNECross-off	NECross-off	ENEOffshore	ENECross-off	ESEOffshore	ESECross-off	ESEOffshore	ESEOffshore	NNECross-off	NNECross-off	NNECross	NCross	EOffshore	ESEOffshore	ESEOffshore	ESEOffshore	NNECross-off	NNECross-off	NCross	NNECross-off	ESEOffshore	ESEOffshore	ESEOffshore	ESEOffshore	NCross	NECross-off	NCross	WNWGlassy	SECross-off	ESEOffshore	ESEOffshore	ESEOffshore	NCross	NCross	ENEOffshore	ENEGlassy	ENEGlassy	ESEOffshore	ESEOffshore	EOffshore	NECross-off	NECross-off	NNECross	ENEOffshore	ESEOffshore	ESEOffshore	EOffshore	ENECross-off	NNECross-off	NECross-off	NECross-off

Nightcliff Beach is a coastal surf spot in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, along the Timor Sea. It’s better known for its scenic foreshore, cliffside walking path, and relaxed tropical vibe than for big, consistent surf.

Surf characteristics

Wave quality: Usually small to moderate and often inconsistent.
Wave type: Mostly wind-affected beachbreak/shorey conditions rather than long, clean point-style waves.
Best conditions: A rare combination of moderate swell, favorable tide, and light offshore winds.
Who it suits: More for beginners, bodyboarders, and locals looking for fun sessions than advanced surfers chasing powerful waves.

Conditions and environment

Climate: Tropical, so the water is warm year-round.
Weather: Hot, humid, and often windy; storms can affect conditions.
Tides: Tidal movement matters a lot and can make the difference between surfable and not-so-great.
Marine life: As with much of northern Australia, marine stingers and other sea-life considerations are worth keeping in mind, especially in the warmer months.

Vibe

Atmosphere: Laid-back, local, and very scenic.
Setting: The beach sits below the famous Nightcliff cliffs and foreshore, making it a nice place to surf, swim, or just enjoy the view.
Crowds: Typically light compared with major surf destinations.

Overall

Nightcliff Beach isn’t a classic world-class surf break, but it can offer enjoyable, casual waves in a beautiful tropical setting. It’s best viewed as a local, conditions-dependent spot rather than a guaranteed surf destination.