Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

We’re kicking things off with a bit of a wait, I’m not gonna lie. The first solid recommendation doesn’t show up until Sunday the 26th, so the first few days of this window are a bit of a write-off. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, around 60°, so nothing weird there.

The standout session of the whole outlook, and the one I’d be circling on the calendar, is Tuesday, the 28th of July. That afternoon, the wind goes glassy at Chinamans, with a clean 6.6 ft swell rolling in from the SW. The period is a solid 15 seconds, so that’s a classic groundswell, with heaps of energy (1868). That’s a proper session for the experienced crew – it’s an advanced reef break, so you’ll want your wits about you. It’s too big for beginners, but for the rest of us, that’s the pick of the bunch.

Sunday the 26th offers a nice little warm-up. Morning sees a 4.6 ft SW swell with a light NW breeze, making it cross-off and clean. The wave energy is moderate (543), but it’s a good, clean option to ease into the week. Monday the 27th keeps the momentum with a moderate offshore wind from the NNW, and the swell sits around 4.6 ft to 4.9 ft, still clean and rideable. The energy picks up a touch (690 to 852).

After that Tuesday peak, things get a bit messy again. Wednesday the 29th is choppy onshore, and Thursday the 30th is a write-off with fresh onshore winds. Friday the 31st drops right off, with a tiny 2.3 ft to 3.0 ft swell, but it’s clean, so if you’re desperate for a longboard, you could. Then the first weekend of August comes in with some serious size. Saturday the 1st has a 5.9 ft to 6.2 ft SW swell, but the wind is cracking – 28 mph offshore on Saturday morning, which is strong enough to make it clean but a real mission to paddle into. By Sunday the 2nd, we’re looking at 8.2 ft SW swell, still clean, but it’s getting into expert territory.

Now, the real beast rolls in on Monday the 3rd of August. We’re talking a massive 11.5 ft SW swell, with a period of 20 seconds – that’s about as long as it gets. The wave energy is off the charts (10393). But the wind is a near gale at 31 mph. It’s clean, but that’s a big, heavy, powerful swell for the absolute best of the best. It’s too big for anyone but experts, and even then, it’s going to be a handful. The rest of that week drops off quickly, with a nice little finish on Thursday the 6th – a clean 3.9 ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period, and light winds. That’s a good one for the experienced surfer who wants a less chaotic session.

Overall, if you’re picking one day, it’s Tuesday the 28th of July – glassy, solid, and clean. The rest is a mix of waiting, wind, and a few wild, big days that are only for the brave.

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