Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 25 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.3° C
0.3° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 8,690 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Sun 26th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf12AM (Wed 29th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s
Most Powerful12AM (Wed 29th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Let’s talk about Chinamans.

The next couple days are rough, if I’m being straight with you. Sunday the 26th has some small but clean surf early morning: 1.3m SW, 12-second period, light cross-off breeze, combined energy 479 – it’s fine but not exciting. Sunday afternoon turns offshore and cleaner.

Monday the 27th gets tricky. Morning is clean offshore with that 1.3m SW at 14 seconds but a fresh 35 km/h wind. Afternoon jumps to 1.7m from the WNW but only 9 seconds – you’ll get cleaned up but it’s not pretty.

Tuesday the 28th you’ll want to skip the afternoon – 3.5m, 15-second SW, 50 km/h cross-shore, 4669 combined energy – that’s kite weather. Wednesday and Thursday are cross-onshore and messy.

But Friday 31st July – that afternoon is the dream. Glassy north wind, 0.8m SW groundswell, 20-second period, combined energy 892. Clean, long lines, and you’ll have the place to yourself. That is one of the best on offer.

Saturday 1st August stays clean, 2–1.8m SW, 16–17 seconds. Good for a session. Sunday 2nd is cleaner but you’ve got strong offshore wind making it hard to paddle.

Then Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th August: Wednesday morning is glassy, 1.8m SW, 14 seconds, combined energy 1505 – as perfect as you’ll see. Thursday keeps it clean but smaller.

The big event is Saturday 8th August morning: 2.5m SW, 21-second period, combined energy 7435 – that’s a serious groundswell with a cross-off breeze. Clean and heavy. That Sunday and Monday also pack huge swells but the wind picks up.

Crowds at Chinamans can show up, but with the best days midweek, you’re in with a shot at getting waves to yourself when it really matters. The period from Sunday 9th into Monday 10th August shows some of the biggest energy of the entire run – 9035 combined – but bring your big-wave gear if you’re even thinking about it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sun morning, strong winds from the WSW by Tue morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue night, calm by Thu night).

Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
0
!
2
1
1
1
1
3
3
3
3
Swell
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
12
1.3
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1.3
SW
14
1.7
WNW
9
2.2
WSW
12
2.5
WSW
16
3.5
SW
15
4
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
2
SW
14
1.7
SW
13
1.5
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
0.8
SW
20
1.1
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
624
469
427
338
647
474
1247
3288
4669
8690
4717
2880
1408
991
744
535
346
455
799
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
10
WNW
15
NW
20
NNW
35
NNW
45
NW
35
WNW
45
W
50
SW
35
SSW
15
S
20
SW
20
SSW
15
S
15
SW
5
ENE
15
NNE
10
N
15
NNE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
12:49PM0.90m
1:24PM0.96m
2:45AM0.37m
1:54PM1.01m
2:43AM0.41m
2:20PM1.04m
2:54AM0.45m
2:44PM1.05m
3:10AM0.51m
3:07PM1.04m
3:30AM0.57m
Low Tide
10:07PM0.23m
9:39PM0.22m
9:34PM0.20m
6:03AM0.32m
9:37PM0.19m
6:55AM0.27m
9:44PM0.17m
7:35AM0.24m
9:54PM0.16m
8:10AM0.21m
10:04PM0.16m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:20
7:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:35
5:36
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
 mm
3
1
Temp °C
14
14
14
14
14
16
14
13
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
Feels °C
11
12
11
11
7
6
8
3
1
3
7
7
7
8
8
9
8
9
7
  • 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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