Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.7° C
0.4° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,439 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Mon 20th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 16s
Best Surf12AM (Mon 20th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 16s
Most Powerful 3PM (Thu 23rd Jul)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here, and I've got the lowdown on Chinamans for the next couple of weeks. This reef break’s a proper advanced wave, and it's exposed to the south-west swell – exactly what it likes. Water's sitting around 60.3°F with a tiny anomaly, so pretty much normal for this time of year. The first bit of action kicks off Sunday afternoon, July 19, with a clean 3ft south-west groundswell, long 18-second period, and moderate offshore breeze. Combined energy's a solid 669 – not pumping but real quality. That's a sweet little session to ease into the week.

But the real standout? Monday afternoon, July 20. Swell bumps up to 5.2ft from the south-west, period eases to 15 seconds, still a proper groundswell, and the wind goes gentle offshore – clean as a whistle. Energy jumps to 1045, and the comment says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That's the one to circle. This is a classic reef wave with that direction, and the offshore will keep it glassy. Conditions are spot on for advanced crew.

Tuesday morning, July 21, holds similar size (5.2ft) with offshore wind, but the period drops to 13 seconds – still solid, but not as good as Monday. Then Tuesday afternoon the wind swings cross-offshore, and the quality drops a notch. From Wednesday morning, July 22, it gets messy: strong onshore winds, lumpy, and the swell balloons to 5.9ft–6.6ft, but with cross-shore chop. Not worth paddling out unless you're a masochist. Thursday, July 23, has a big 8.2ft south-west swell with 16 seconds, energy hitting 5094 – that's a lot of power. But the wind is cross-shore, making it a lumpy, tricky beast. For experts only, and even then it's marginal. Friday, July 24, stays messy with cross-offshore winds and 7.2ft swell. The whole week after Monday is a write-off for clean surf.

Then we get a reprieve. Sunday morning, July 26, the wind drops to glassy – just a light ESE breeze, almost nothing. Swell settles to 4.6ft from the south-west with 12-second period, energy 576. Clean, tidy, and fun for the advanced crew. That morning's a good option if you missed Monday.

After that, the following week is patchy. Monday, July 27, sees a smaller swell (3ft–3.3ft) with strong offshore winds, but the energy is low and the period is okay – not a standout. Tuesday, July 28, has 5.2ft swell with cross-offshore winds, but the energy is moderate. Wednesday and Thursday, July 29–30, get messy again with

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Sun afternoon). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Sun
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
4
4
3
2
2
1
0
0
0
4
0
1
2
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
18
1.4
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.5
SW
13
1.4
SW
12
1.8
SW
14
2
SW
12
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
2.2
SW
15
2
SW
14
1.8
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.7
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
522
940
788
1045
1307
821
688
587
1270
1034
2439
2763
3439
2869
2083
1602
1270
1067
966
811
Wind (km/h)
20
N
15
N
20
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
15
NW
15
W
20
NW
30
SW
35
SSW
25
SSW
30
SSW
25
SW
20
SW
25
WSW
30
WSW
30
WSW
25
SSW
25
SSW
15
S
Wind State
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
4:36PM0.90m
5:25AM0.72m
4:53PM0.77m
6:08AM0.75m
4:58PM0.66m
6:59AM0.76m
4:25PM0.58m
8:11AM0.76m
10:19AM0.78m
11:59AM0.84m
Low Tide
11:14PM0.19m
10:59AM0.36m
11:28PM0.20m
11:50AM0.45m
11:38PM0.21m
1:03PM0.53m
11:42PM0.22m
11:35PM0.23m
11:03PM0.24m
10:07PM0.23m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:34
 mm
1
1
1
1
Temp °C
14
15
14
15
15
15
15
15
13
12
12
11
12
12
12
12
14
13
13
13
Feels °C
9
10
10
12
12
12
12
11
7
4
4
4
6
6
6
6
8
8
8
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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