Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,439 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here, and I've got the lowdown on Chinamans for the next couple of weeks. This reef break’s a proper advanced wave, and it's exposed to the south-west swell – exactly what it likes. Water's sitting around 60.3°F with a tiny anomaly, so pretty much normal for this time of year. The first bit of action kicks off Sunday afternoon, July 19, with a clean 3ft south-west groundswell, long 18-second period, and moderate offshore breeze. Combined energy's a solid 669 – not pumping but real quality. That's a sweet little session to ease into the week.
But the real standout? Monday afternoon, July 20. Swell bumps up to 5.2ft from the south-west, period eases to 15 seconds, still a proper groundswell, and the wind goes gentle offshore – clean as a whistle. Energy jumps to 1045, and the comment says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That's the one to circle. This is a classic reef wave with that direction, and the offshore will keep it glassy. Conditions are spot on for advanced crew.
Tuesday morning, July 21, holds similar size (5.2ft) with offshore wind, but the period drops to 13 seconds – still solid, but not as good as Monday. Then Tuesday afternoon the wind swings cross-offshore, and the quality drops a notch. From Wednesday morning, July 22, it gets messy: strong onshore winds, lumpy, and the swell balloons to 5.9ft–6.6ft, but with cross-shore chop. Not worth paddling out unless you're a masochist. Thursday, July 23, has a big 8.2ft south-west swell with 16 seconds, energy hitting 5094 – that's a lot of power. But the wind is cross-shore, making it a lumpy, tricky beast. For experts only, and even then it's marginal. Friday, July 24, stays messy with cross-offshore winds and 7.2ft swell. The whole week after Monday is a write-off for clean surf.
Then we get a reprieve. Sunday morning, July 26, the wind drops to glassy – just a light ESE breeze, almost nothing. Swell settles to 4.6ft from the south-west with 12-second period, energy 576. Clean, tidy, and fun for the advanced crew. That morning's a good option if you missed Monday.
After that, the following week is patchy. Monday, July 27, sees a smaller swell (3ft–3.3ft) with strong offshore winds, but the energy is low and the period is okay – not a standout. Tuesday, July 28, has 5.2ft swell with cross-offshore winds, but the energy is moderate. Wednesday and Thursday, July 29–30, get messy again with
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Sun afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 522 | 940 | 788 | 1045 | 1307 | 821 | 688 | 587 | 1270 | 1034 | 2439 | 2763 | 3439 | 2869 | 2083 | 1602 | 1270 | 1067 | 966 | 811 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:36PM0.90m | 5:25AM0.72m | 4:53PM0.77m | 6:08AM0.75m | 4:58PM0.66m | 6:59AM0.76m | 4:25PM0.58m | 8:11AM0.76m | 10:19AM0.78m | 11:59AM0.84m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 11:14PM0.19m | 10:59AM0.36m | 11:28PM0.20m | 11:50AM0.45m | 11:38PM0.21m | 1:03PM0.53m | 11:42PM0.22m | 11:35PM0.23m | 11:03PM0.24m | 10:07PM0.23m | ||||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — |
 | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 10 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 522 | 940 | 788 | 1045 | 1307 | 821 | 688 | 209 | 386 | 445 | 1193 | 1303 | 1655 | 2869 | 2083 | 1602 | 1270 | 1067 | 966 | 811 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | — | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — |
| kJ | 144 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | — | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | NW 7 | NNW 4 | WNW 4 | — | — | WNW 3 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | — | WSW 4 | W 4 | WSW 14 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | 67 | 13 | 7 | — | — | 1 | 587 | 1270 | 1034 | 2439 | 2763 | 3439 | — | 8 | 16 | 538 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 7 | 726 | 738 | 717 | 1189 | 1195 | 46 | 506 | 506 | 506 | 1189 | 1200 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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