Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk swell. Chinamans is the only spot worth looking at, and it’s a tricky reef that’s only for the advanced crowd.

We start Tuesday afternoon with a solid 5ft groundswell out of the southwest, with a long 16-second period. That’s a lot of energy (combined energy at 1063), but the cross-shore wind is a moderate 12 mph from the ENE, so it’ll be bumpy and chopped. Water temps are sitting right around average for this time of year.

Wednesday morning jumps to 8ft from the southwest, period still long at 18 seconds. The energy is climbing into the thousands (3483). But again, cross-shore wind messes it up. Wednesday afternoon drops slightly to 7ft but stays a bit cleaner. Still, nothing special yet.

Now, Thursday 9th July is where it gets good. Morning has a manageable 5ft southwest swell, 15-second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze from the NNE at 6 mph. Clean. The afternoon is even better: 6ft swell, 17-second period, and the wind goes pure offshore from the north. That’s classic Chinamans shape – clean walls, great power. This is a standout window. Conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers.

Friday 10th July holds in the 5-6ft range through the day, with a light cross-offshore in the morning, and offshore wind in the afternoon at 12 mph from the northwest. Good, clean conditions again.

Saturday 11th is a washout. Strong cross-shore winds (28 mph morning, 25 mph afternoon) with swell up to 10ft. Poor, messy, not worth it. Sunday 12th stays ugly with 8ft swell and strong winds.

Monday 13th July brings the biggest swell of the period: 12ft in the morning, 10ft in the afternoon, both from the southwest with a 16-second period. Energy readings are massive (8618 in the morning). But the wind is cross-shore at 15 mph, so it’ll be rough. Experts only.

Tuesday 14th July drops to 8ft in the morning, and the afternoon goes glassy with a light 3 mph wind shifting cross-offshore. Clean, 7ft swell, 16-second period. That’s a sneaky good session.

Wednesday 15th July is another standout. The afternoon sees 6ft swell with a 20-second period – super long groundswell – and light cross-offshore wind. Combined energy is 3993. The reef will draw those lines out clean. Thursday 16th keeps it going with 7ft swell in the morning, offshore wind from the north at 12 mph, clean and lined up.

After that, from Sunday 19th July onward, the wheels fall off. Strong winds, messy seas, and by Monday 20th into Tuesday 21st, we’re looking at near-gale cross-shore winds with 8-10ft swell. That’s not surfing. Not recommended.

Best on offer:
Thursday 9th July is the clear winner. The mix of 5-6ft southwest groundswell, long periods, and light offshore winds gives you clean, powerful reef waves. The afternoon session is the best of the 16 days – pure offshore, clean lines. The other standout is Wednesday 15th July afternoon, with that 20-second period and clean conditions. That’s a deep, long groundswell that the reef will hold beautifully.

From Sunday 19th through the end, it’s poor. A lot of wind, a lot of chop. The windows are tight: Thursday 9th, Friday 10th, and Wednesday 15th July. Be ready.

Rusty.

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