Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Issued: 2 am 03 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.9° C

Normal for this time of year

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 2 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 4 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 3 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 8,068 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s 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 Saturday (Jul 04) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 03) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Sat 4th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 14s
Best Surf 9AM (Sat 4th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 14s
Most Powerful 9AM (Fri 3rd Jul)13ft (4.0m) 15s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into the 16-day outlook for Chinamans. This is a reef break that demands respect—it’s an advanced wave, and it’s a fairly consistent setup. The water is a standard 61°, so nothing unusual for the time of year.

The first real chance to get out will be Saturday morning, July 4th. The swell will be a solid 6ft out of the southwest, and the wind is going to be glassy—just a slight air moving. That’s a gorgeous scenario for a reef break, with clean, lined-up sets. The period is a long 14 seconds, so the waves will have plenty of punch and shape. The combined energy is moderate at 1403, so it’s not a full-on assault, but it’s a beautiful setup for a Saturday morning solo session.

The following Saturday, July 11th, things get a bit dicey. The onshore winds start to pick up and the swell drops to 4ft from the southwest with a 14-second period. The combined energy is weak at 984, and it’s just not going to be that clean. Thursday morning, July 16th, is a bit of a redemption. The swell is back up to 6ft from the southwest with a 14-second period, and the wind is cross-off from the northeast. The combined energy is 1481, and the waves will be clean. But it’s not the standout.

The real standout is Saturday morning, July 4th. The glassy conditions, the 6ft southwest swell at 14 seconds—it’s a clean, reef-special wave. The crowds are noted as “sometimes,” so you might have a few others out there, but it’s worth it. The second best is Thursday afternoon, July 9th, with a 4ft southwest swell, a 14-second period, and a light cross-off breeze. The combined energy is 1407, and it’s cleaner than most, so a solid afternoon session.

There’s a long gap after July 4th with no real standouts until the second week. The period from July 11th through July 15th is mostly messy with cross-on winds and lumpy conditions. The swell is big, but it’s blown out, so it’s more of a look-see than a paddle-out. The combined energy gets up to 8727 on Tuesday afternoon, July 14th, but it’s just a lot of chop. That’s a kite-surfing setup, not a paddle-surfing one.

By Friday morning, July 17th, the swell drops to 3ft from the southwest with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is weak at 377. It’s not going to be much. Saturday, July 18th, has a fresh 4ft southwest swell with an 18-second period, and the wind is offshore from the NNW. The combined energy is moderate at 1104, but it’s a long-range call, so it’s promising but not certain.

So, to wrap it up: Saturday morning, July 4th, is your best bet. Glassy, clean, and a solid southwest swell. After that, it’s a bit of a wait until the second week, but the long-range stuff on July 18th could be something special if the forecast holds.

Stay frothy,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
3
Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
6
3
2
4
3
0
3
0
2
3
1
1
2
1
1
4
3
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)
4
SW
15
3
SW
15
2.4
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
1.7
SW
14
1.9
SW
15
2.5
SSW
17
2.3
SSW
16
1.8
SW
16
1.4
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
1.3
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.6
SW
19
2.5
SW
18
2.3
SW
16
1.8
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.1
SW
17
1.7
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
8068
4054
2197
1403
1115
1506
3832
2765
1571
763
463
276
793
975
1764
3903
2931
1664
924
736
1374
Wind (km/h)
30
SW
20
SW
10
SW
5
ESE
10
SSE
20
ESE
20
ENE
20
E
20
ENE
15
NE
10
ESE
15
E
15
E
15
E
20
E
15
ENE
10
ENE
15
E
15
ENE
10
NE
15
NE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
3:42PM1.08m
4:05AM0.51m
4:06PM1.03m
4:36AM0.55m
4:28PM0.96m
5:12AM0.60m
4:48PM0.86m
5:55AM0.65m
5:03PM0.75m
6:51AM0.71m
5:04PM0.64m
8:06AM0.78m
Low Tide
10:59PM0.24m
8:58AM0.27m
11:15PM0.25m
9:34AM0.31m
11:30PM0.26m
10:15AM0.36m
11:42PM0.26m
11:07AM0.44m
11:54PM0.26m
12:23PM0.52m
00:07AM0.25m
00:21AM0.23m
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:21
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
 mm
Temp °C
13
13
14
14
13
13
12
11
11
11
11
13
13
14
14
14
14
13
13
13
13
Feels °C
7
7
10
12
11
8
7
6
7
9
8
10
10
11
11
11
12
10
10
10
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4
SW
15
3
SW
15
2.4
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
1.7
SW
14
1.9
SW
15
2.5
SSW
17
2.3
SSW
16
1.8
SW
16
1.4
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
1.3
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.6
SW
19
2.5
SW
18
2.3
SW
16
1.8
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.3
SW
14
1.7
SW
16
Energy kJ
8068
4054
2197
1403
1115
1506
3832
2765
1571
763
463
276
793
975
1764
3903
2931
1664
924
736
1374
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
20
0.2
E
3
0.6
SW
18
1.4
SW
15
0.6
SW
19
1.1
SW
17
Energy kJ
396
1
252
836
290
671
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
Energy kJ
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
SW
16
0.6
ESE
4
0.5
E
4
0.5
E
4
0.4
ESE
4
0.3
ENE
3
Energy kJ
5974
10
7
8
4
2
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
4
3
4
5
4
4
3
2
3
3
3
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
Distance (km)
1055
506
7
0
7
7
13
7
3
0
3
3
3
3
7
3
3
3
3
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
4
5
4
4
3
2
3
3
3
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
9
4
5
4
9
9
7
4
4
9
8
6
5
5
4
5
5
4
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
5
9
5
5
6
5
9
7
5
8
9
8
6
8
9
6
9
5
5
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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