Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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.

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