Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 29 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.3° C
0.3° 

Chinamans surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Chinamans surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,051 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Chinamans this week:

The surf forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 24s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 2.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Thu 30th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 4th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Most Powerful 3PM (Wed 29th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’ve got a bit of a wait for the good stuff, but when it arrives, it’s gonna be a ripper for the crew that knows what they’re doing.

The first week or so is pretty average at Chinamans – a solid exposed reef setup that demands respect. The swell is there, but the wind is a mess for a while. Wednesday the 29th is a write-off: 10ft of SW groundswell (16-second period) but with a strong cross-on shore breeze, it’s just messy. The combined energy is huge (4529), but you won’t enjoy it. Afternoon drops to 8ft, same story.

Thursday the 30th is where things start to turn. Morning is still average with 6ft, but by the afternoon, it goes glassy. 5ft of SW groundswell (13 seconds) and clean conditions. Not a standout, but a nice little window. Combined energy is moderate (832).

Friday the 31st is clean and small – 4ft of SW groundswell, light cross-off breezes, and very tidy. Combined energy is weak (536 to 710). Good for a longboard or a fish, but not for the big-wave hunter.

Saturday the 1st of August sees some proper offshore wind from the north, 25 mph, with 5ft to 7ft of SW groundswell (17 seconds – very long period). This is a point-and-reef wave, so that long period will be a treat. Combined energy jumps to 1597 and 2352. Clean, but the swell is pushing into expert territory on the afternoon push. This is a solid option.

Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are a mixed bag. Monday is blown out again. But Tuesday the 4th afternoon is a gem: 4ft of SW groundswell (15 seconds), gentle offshore from the NNW, and clean. Excellent for experienced surfers. Combined energy is moderate (1023).

Now, the standout window. From Wednesday the 5th of August through to Saturday the 9th of August, Chinamans is cooking. Wednesday the 5th has 5ft to 6ft of SW groundswell (17-18 seconds), strong offshore winds, and excellent conditions. Combined energy is moderate-strong (1646 to 1826). Thursday the 6th is similar, with 5ft to 6ft.

But the big one is Saturday the 8th of August. That morning, we’ve got 12ft of SW groundswell (14 seconds) with a gentle offshore from the north. Combined energy is a thumping 5154. This is expert-level, big, powerful reef surf. Afternoon stays 12ft but with a cross-off wind, still clean. This is the best on offer – a true standout for the crew that can handle it.

Sunday the 9th is still solid at 10ft to 8ft, but the wind starts to get a bit fresh. Still clean, but the quality drops.

The second week gets messy. Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th have big swell (10ft to 12ft) but strong cross or cross-off winds, and by Tuesday, it’s crossed out and lumpy. Wednesday the 12th has a beautiful 12ft of SW groundswell (16 seconds) with clean conditions in the morning – combined energy of 9174 – but the wind picks up. Thursday the 13th is blown out completely with near-gale winds.

There’s a long gap of several days before the first real quality, but once it gets going, the period from August 1st to August 9th is the go. Chinamans is an advanced reef, and it’s fairly consistent, so crowds are possible – especially on the standout days. The water temperature is about 60°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

If you’re an expert, that Saturday the 8th of August morning is the one. Otherwise, the Tuesday the 4th of August afternoon or the Wednesday the 5th are your best bets for a more manageable swell.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu night, min 12°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat night, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sat night, calm by Mon night).

Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
0
1
1
1
3
3
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
1.7
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
18
1.6
SW
17
2.1
SW
17
2
SW
16
1.7
SW
16
2.2
WSW
15
2.1
SW
16
2.1
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.5
SW
12
1.3
SW
15
1.4
SW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
4529
3051
1639
991
821
552
424
404
614
1597
2352
2053
1402
2169
2080
1712
1608
1021
645
744
1491
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
20
SSW
15
S
10
SE
5
S
10
ENE
10
NE
10
N
15
NE
25
N
25
N
30
NNW
35
WNW
35
WSW
30
SW
20
SSW
15
SW
5
SSE
10
NE
15
NNW
15
NNE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
2:20PM1.04m
2:54AM0.45m
2:44PM1.05m
3:10AM0.51m
3:07PM1.04m
3:30AM0.57m
3:28PM1.00m
3:52AM0.63m
3:48PM0.94m
4:17AM0.69m
4:06PM0.85m
4:45AM0.76m
4:21PM0.75m
Low Tide
9:44PM0.17m
7:35AM0.24m
9:54PM0.16m
8:10AM0.21m
10:04PM0.16m
8:44AM0.20m
10:14PM0.15m
9:18AM0.21m
10:24PM0.15m
9:54AM0.23m
10:33PM0.15m
10:33AM0.28m
10:42PM0.14m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
mod rain
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:42
 mm
6
Temp °C
12
12
12
12
12
13
13
13
13
13
13
14
12
14
13
12
12
12
12
12
12
Feels °C
7
7
8
9
10
10
9
10
8
6
7
8
4
6
6
7
7
8
8
8
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
How to use the Wavefinder 
submit an eyeball surf report

Quick surf report for Chinamans:

join our community of surf reporters

FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website

The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Chinamans surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.


Information about the Chinamans Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Chinamans provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Chinamans can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Chinamans surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Chinamans) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Chinamans may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Are you planning a holiday in Yorke Peninsula? If you are looking for accommodation near Chinamans, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Yorke Peninsula, consider staying in Kingscote which is 80 km (50 miles) away.

Nearest locationNearest