Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's cookin' at Chinamans.

We’ve got a solid run of swell on the way, but it's not gonna be all clean and perfect. The water’s sitting around 60°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there. First real action worth getting excited about is Thursday the 17th in the afternoon. The wind is going glassy (3 mph from the NNW), and we'll have a clean 4.6ft swell rolling in from the SW with a period of 14 seconds. That's some decent groundswell energy, and with glassy conditions, the reef is gonna look like a mirror. The combined energy is moderate at 778, so it's not a beast, but it’ll be clean and fun. That Thursday afternoon is a standout for anyone who wants silky waves.

Friday the 18th is also looking good. Morning has a clean 4.3ft SW swell with a 17-second period and a solid offshore wind from the N at 16 mph. That’s a long-period groundswell, which means the waves will have real shape and punch, but at a reef like Chinamans, that kind of period can make things a bit more lined up and less forgiving. The energy is moderate (929). The afternoon stays clean with a gentler offshore breeze and a 3.6ft swell.

Saturday the 19th will be smaller, with a morning clean 2.6ft swell and offshore winds, but the swell is dropping off. The combined energy is weak at 274. Still rideable for a log, but not the main event.

Hold onto your board for Tuesday the 22nd. We get a nice pulse of SW groundswell at 7.5ft with a 15-second period. The combined energy is a strong 2431, so there’s real power in the water. The wind is cross-off from the NE at 9 mph, keeping it clean. This is a standout for the more experienced crew. It's a bit big for beginners, but for advanced surfers, this is where it gets good. Crowds are possible at this spot sometimes, so get out there early.

Things get wild on the 26th of September. Saturday morning you’re looking at a massive 16.4ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period. The combined energy is an enormous 26150. For Chinamans, that’s just too big. It’s a reef break, and that kind of energy is only for the absolute experts, if anyone. The wind is onshore from the S at 22 mph, so the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Afternoon is similar with 14.8ft.

The very end of the month, on the 30th of September, finishes off clean. Wednesday has glassy conditions in the afternoon with a gentle 4.3ft SW swell. A nice, clean, easy wave to end the window.

So, the best of the best: Thursday 17th afternoon for that glassy, clean 4.6ft, and Tuesday 22nd for the bigger, punchy 7.5ft clean swell. The big stuff on the 26th is a spectacle, but not one for paddling.

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