Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 28 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.2° C
0.1° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 7,513 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Thu 30th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 13s
Best Surf 6PM (Sat 1st Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 17s
Most Powerful 3AM (Wed 29th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for the next couple of weeks.

It’s a bit of a slow start, but there’s a real pulse of energy building later on. The first few days we’re dealing with some messy conditions from a big SW groundswell, but things clean up nicely by the end of the week. The real standout window is shaping up for the first weekend of August, with a solid, long-period groundswell and offshore winds.

We kick off on Tuesday, 28 July. Not a lot to get excited about, to be honest. There’s a solid 8.2ft to 9.8ft SW swell (15-second period) hitting Chinamans, but it’s coming in with a strong cross-shore wind from the WSW. The water’s sitting at 59.4°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. The energy is high – we’re talking 3300 to 3614 – but the surface is a total mess with lumpy cross-chop. It’s a pass.

Wednesday, 29 July, the swell hangs in at 8.2ft to 9.8ft from the SW, period still long at 15 to 16 seconds. The wind swings around to a cross-onshore, and it’s still choppy. The energy is pumping (4765), but it’s just not clean. A marginal day, best left for the big dogs with nothing else to do.

Thursday, 30 July, is where things start to turn. The swell drops to 5.2ft to 5.6ft, still SW, with a 13-second period. The morning is a bit cloudy with a light onshore, but the afternoon... wow. The wind goes glassy, dead calm. The energy drops to 832, but the quality is there. This is a sneaky good session for those who can get out. Clean, glassy lines. That’s a solid option.

Friday, 31 July, keeps the good vibes rolling. The swell is smaller, around 3.6ft, but it’s clean all day. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NE and N, and the energy is moderate (536 to 786). It’s a fun, clean, small-wave day. Perfect for a longboard or a fish.

Now, Saturday, 1 August – this is the one to circle. The swell jumps back up to 5.9ft in the morning, building to 7.5ft by the afternoon, from the SW. The period stretches out to a very long 18 seconds. And the wind? Fresh offshore from the NNW. The energy is strong (2065 to 3123). This is a proper groundswell hitting a reef break with clean, offshore conditions. Chinamans will be handling this beautifully. It’s advanced territory at that size, but this is the best day of the run so far.

Sunday, 2 August, things get big and a bit ugly. The swell pumps up to 8.2ft in the morning, peaking at 11.5ft by the afternoon, with a 16-second period. The energy is monstrous (11316 in the afternoon). But the wind is onshore from the S and SSE. For a reef break, that’s a tough combo. It’s a powerful, messy wall of water. Only the experts with a death wish should be out there.

Monday, 3 August, the swell backs off to 6.6ft to 7.5ft, but the wind is cross-onshore from the ESE. Choppy and lumpy. A day to sleep in.

Tuesday, 4 August, the swell drops to 3.6ft to 4.3ft, and the wind is a cross-shore from the ENE/E. The energy is weak (690 to 728). Marginal at best.

Wednesday, 5 August, sees a new pulse of energy with a 3.6ft to 4.6ft swell, but a very long 18-second period. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the N and NNE. The energy is moderate (1148 to 1227). Could be fun if the sets come through, but it’s not a standout.

Thursday, 6 August,

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the S by Sat night).

Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
3
4
0
0
6
2
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
15
3
SW
15
4
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
1.7
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
18
1.8
SW
18
2.3
SW
18
2.1
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
16
3
SW
15
2.3
SW
14
2
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3097
3614
7340
4765
3051
1639
991
821
552
424
398
614
2065
3123
2241
3396
6203
3491
1975
1367
865
Wind (km/h)
35
WSW
40
SW
30
SW
20
SW
20
SW
10
SSW
5
S
5
S
10
NNE
15
NE
15
N
15
NNE
30
NNW
30
NNW
30
SW
25
S
15
SSE
20
SSE
20
ESE
20
ESE
20
ENE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
1:54PM1.01m
2:43AM0.41m
2:20PM1.04m
2:54AM0.45m
2:44PM1.05m
3:10AM0.51m
3:07PM1.04m
3:30AM0.57m
3:28PM1.00m
3:52AM0.63m
3:48PM0.94m
4:17AM0.69m
4:06PM0.85m
Low Tide
9:37PM0.19m
6:55AM0.27m
9:44PM0.17m
7:35AM0.24m
9:54PM0.16m
8:10AM0.21m
10:04PM0.16m
8:44AM0.20m
10:14PM0.15m
9:18AM0.21m
10:24PM0.15m
9:54AM0.23m
10:33PM0.15m
part cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:38
5:39
5:40
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
13
12
11
12
12
12
11
12
12
12
12
12
13
15
15
12
13
12
12
12
11
Feels °C
5
3
3
7
7
8
8
10
9
8
8
8
5
10
8
5
8
7
7
7
5
  • 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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