Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the menu at Chinamans over the next couple of weeks.

Chinamans is a reef break that loves a solid SW swell, and we’ve got plenty of that coming. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The real story is the size and the wind—this isn’t a week for beginners, and the standout sessions are for the experienced crew.

The first few days, from Thursday the 13th through Sunday the 16th, are a bit of a write-off for clean surfing. The swell is pumping, 10 ft on Thursday morning with a mighty 16-second period and a combined energy of 4136, but the wind is cross or cross-on, putting a chop on the surface. It’s strong, powerful, and messy. You’d be looking at it more for kiting than paddling, honestly.

Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th see the swell easing slightly, but the wind stays tricky. Monday morning is still cross-on with 6 ft surf, but the period stays long at 16 seconds. Tuesday morning brings a fresh NNE breeze—cross-off, so the surface cleans up nicely, but the swell drops to 5 ft and the energy is down to 1297. It’s rideable, but not the best of the run.

Now, here’s the first real highlight. Wednesday the 19th morning: offshore NNW wind at 12 mph, 4 ft of SW swell, 15-second period, and the energy is low at 505. The conditions are clean, and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is a nice, clean, smaller day for the experienced surfer who wants a smooth session without the crowd chaos. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Thursday the 20th morning picks up again—7 ft, 16-second period, offshore NNW wind, and energy back up to 1880. It’s clean but the size is creeping up. Friday the 21st afternoon is the absolute standout: 7 ft of SW groundswell, 15-second period, clean offshore NNW wind at 16 mph, and a combined energy of 2817. The guidance says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the one to circle. The swell direction is right on the money for Chinamans, and the offshore wind will have it glassy. Just be aware, long-period swells like this can make the sets a bit more spaced out, but the shape will be top-notch.

The weekend of the 22nd and 23rd gets blown out again with strong WSW winds, and the 23rd Sunday morning brings a massive 8 ft, 21-second period swell from the WSW—energy hits 6221—but the wind is strong and messy. That’s a big, powerful, and lumpy ocean. Not for the faint-hearted.

Moving into the second week, Monday the 24th afternoon has 12 ft of SW swell, 16-second period, and a fresh W cross-off wind keeping it clean. Energy is 6051. That’s a serious, heavy swell. Only for experts. Tuesday the 25th morning is still big at 10 ft, but the period drops to 13 seconds, and the wind stays cross-off.

From Wednesday the 26th onward, the swell fades quickly. The last few days of the month are small, with clean conditions on Friday the 28th morning—3 ft, 14-second period, NE cross-off wind, but only 421 energy. It’s a fade-out.

So, the two true standouts: Wednesday the 19th morning for a clean, smaller, offshore session, and Friday the 21st afternoon for the best combination of size, direction, and glassy offshore wind. That Friday afternoon is the pick of the lot.

Stay safe, pick your moment, and I’ll see you out there.

Rusty.

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