Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 10 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.4° C
0.0° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 6,990 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Fri 10th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 15s
Best Surf12AM (Wed 15th Jul)8ft (2.4m) 15s
Most Powerful 9PM (Mon 13th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 17s

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


Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer at Chinamans.

First up, the water temp is sitting at 60°, which is right on the money for this time of year – nothing unusual there.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the first real window shapes up on Friday the 10th. It’s not a big swell, coming in at 5ft from the SW with a long 15-second period, but the wind is offshore from the NNW and the wave energy is moderate (949). The conditions are looking clean and very good, but remember this is a reef break for advanced surfers only. With that long period, it’ll be lining up nicely, but the sets might be a touch spaced out.

Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th are a write-off. We’re looking at a strong, lumpy cross-shore mess with near gale winds and a big, disorganised swell. The energy is strong to very strong (over 1176), but the quality is poor. Not worth paddling out.

Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th see the swell holding big – 12ft from the SW – but the wind is cross-off or cross. The wave energy is massive (6253 to 12022), but the forecast calls it marginal. It’s a powerful, clean-looking wave, but it’s going to be a beast. Only for the most experienced crew, and the conditions on Tuesday are a bit lumpy with cross-shore chop.

The standout for the first week is Wednesday the 15th. We’ve got a solid 7ft SW groundswell early, dropping to 6ft in the afternoon, with a long 15-second period. The wind goes light offshore from the north in the morning, and then it goes glassy in the afternoon. That’s about as good as it gets for a clean, well-shaped reef wave. The energy is still strong (2936), but it’s the cleanest we’ll see. Crowds are sometimes a factor here, so you might have some company.

Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th are still clean, with offshore or cross-off winds and a 5ft to 6ft SW swell. The energy drops to moderate (around 899 to 1532). It’s good, but not the standout.

The weekend of the 18th and 19th is a drop-off. Swell drops to under 4ft, and winds are fresh and cross-off. The energy is weak (348 to 403). Not much to write home about.

Now, looking further out. Monday the 20th of July we see a new pulse of 12ft from the WSW with moderate energy (6081) and clean cross-off winds. By the afternoon the wind goes offshore, and it’s a solid 10ft with a 15-second period. This is a promising long-range call, but it’s a couple of weeks away, so keep an eye on it.

Wednesday the 22nd of July is another big one to watch: 12ft from the SW with a 16-second period, and strong offshore winds from the NW. The energy is very strong (6573). This is expert territory – the paddle-out will be brutal, but the waves will be big and clean. The wind is so strong it might be hard to get into the wave, but if you’re in, it’ll be a ride.

The best bet in the second week is likely Friday the 24th of July morning. You’ve got a 10ft SW groundswell, a 14-second period, and clean cross-off wind. The energy is very strong (5631), and the forecast is exceptional for experts. This is the long-range standout.

Saturday the 25th rounds out the outlook with a cleaner, smaller 6ft SW swell and offshore north winds. A nice, manageable way to end the run.

So, to sum it up: the absolute best on offer is Wednesday the 15th of July – that glassy afternoon session is the pick of the bunch. For the big-wave hunters, keep an eye on Friday the 24th of July. Otherwise, it’s a mix of clean days and blown-out giants.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the NNW on Fri afternoon, near gales from the WSW by Sat afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue night).

Fri
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
0
0
0
0
2
6
4
5
6
6
2
4
4
4
4
2
4
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
SW
15
1.3
SW
14
3
WSW
8
3.5
SW
11
3.5
SW
13
3
SW
13
3
SW
13
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
17
3.5
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.4
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
1.9
SW
15
1.7
SW
15
1.5
SW
14
1.5
SW
14
1.8
SW
16
1.8
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
949
746
1176
2912
4023
3010
2963
4606
5711
6029
6990
6315
4356
2662
2102
1632
1204
899
886
1707
1532
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
30
NW
50
WSW
55
WSW
45
WSW
40
WSW
35
W
35
W
35
W
40
W
30
WSW
30
SW
20
SW
0
SW
10
N
5
N
15
NE
20
N
15
NNW
15
NNE
20
NNE
Wind State
off
off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
glassy
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:10AM0.97m
12:14PM1.07m
1:22AM0.26m
1:06PM1.16m
1:50AM0.30m
1:51PM1.21m
2:20AM0.37m
2:32PM1.22m
2:54AM0.45m
3:09PM1.19m
3:30AM0.53m
Low Tide
00:38AM0.23m
1:01AM0.23m
9:31PM0.21m
3:57AM0.24m
9:29PM0.18m
5:42AM0.21m
9:42PM0.16m
6:52AM0.17m
10:00PM0.16m
7:50AM0.15m
10:20PM0.16m
8:40AM0.16m
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:30
7:30
7:28
7:28
7:28
7:28
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:27
5:28
5:29
 mm
3
2
5
1
3
1
1
Temp °C
15
14
12
12
14
14
15
15
15
15
14
14
14
13
14
14
14
14
16
16
14
Feels °C
10
9
0
0
5
6
8
9
8
8
7
8
10
11
13
14
12
10
13
13
10
  • 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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