Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.4° C
0.2° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,023 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 2.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sun 26th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf12AM (Thu 30th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 13s
Most Powerful 6PM (Tue 28th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s see what’s cooking. The swell is coming from the southwest, and Chinamans is a reef break that knows how to handle it. The first few days are a bit of a struggle, but if you’ve got the patience, the second half of this forecast period is packing some serious heat.

Starting off Friday, July 24th, we’ve got a solid 7.5ft southwest swell with a long 15-second period, but the wind is cross-shore from the WSW. The water temp is about where it should be for this time of year. It’s not total junk, but the energy is massive (2418), and the conditions are just a little out of shape. The afternoon cleans up a tick, dropping to 6.9ft, but the wind gets a little stronger.

Saturday, July 25th, the swell drops to 5.9ft, but the cross-shore wind and some rain in the afternoon mean it’s not the one. The energy is still moderate (1115), but the chop is a pain.

Sunday, July 26th, the swell fades to 4.6ft, and the energy drops off a cliff (534). The wind is lighter, but it’s still cross-shore. A small, average day.

Now, Monday, July 27th, is where things start to look up. The swell is down to 4.3ft, but the wind swings offshore from the north – a clean, moderate breeze. The energy is still moderate (628), and the conditions are “very good.” This is a nice little window for a cleaner, smaller session.

Tuesday, July 28th, is a split day. The morning pulses back up to 6.9ft from the west with a moderate cross-offshore breeze and clean conditions. The energy is strong (1767). The afternoon, though, gets ugly. The swell jumps to 8.2ft, but the wind turns cross-onshore and choppy, and the energy is massive (2906). That afternoon is a total write-off.

Wednesday, July 29th, holds a solid 7.5ft to 7.2ft southwest swell, but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, making it a messy, marginal day. The energy is very strong (over 2000), but the wind is the enemy.

Thursday, July 30th, is a real sweet spot. The swell is a clean 5.2ft in the morning, with a light cross-offshore breeze from the NNE. The energy is still moderate (760). But the afternoon is the real treat – the swell drops to 4.6ft, and it goes glassy with a light WNW breeze. That is a beautiful, clean window.

Then, Friday, July 31st, we get a taste of the big stuff coming. The morning starts with a smaller 3.6ft swell, but the period is a massive 20 seconds – a very long period groundswell. The energy is surprisingly strong (1296) for the height. The afternoon picks up to 5.2ft with a 19-second period, and the wind is clean cross-offshore. The conditions are “excellent” for experienced surfers.

But the standout, the absolute best on offer, is Saturday, August 1st. This is the one. The morning has an 8.2ft southwest swell with an 18-second period, the wind is blowing a clean offshore from the north, and the energy is an enormous 4129. The afternoon gets even better: 9.8ft of southwest swell, 18-second period, and a gentle offshore wind. The energy is a staggering 4982. This is a serious, powerful groundswell. It’s a reef break, so it will handle the long period beautifully, but with that size, it’s strictly for experts. The crowd factor is “sometimes” at Chinamans, so on a day like this, you can expect a few other experienced surfers out there.

Sunday, August 2nd, is still excellent. The morning has 6.9ft with a moderate offshore, and the afternoon cleans up with 8.2ft and a light cross-offshore breeze. The energy is still very strong (2384 and 3077). This is a fantastic follow-up day.

After that, the swell holds through the next week, but the wind starts to change. Monday, August 3rd, is a solid 9.8ft in the morning, but the wind is cross-onshore from the ESE, putting a ripple on the face. The energy is massive (4585), but the quality drops. The rest of the week (August 4th through 7th) sees the swell staying between 6.2ft and 7.2ft, with mostly cross-offshore winds, so it’s still surfable, but not as clean and perfect as that weekend. The energy remains moderate to strong (over 1600). By Friday, August 7th, the swell drops to 3.6ft, and the wind is offshore again, but the energy is low (458). Saturday, August 8th, is the last day with a small 2.6ft swell.

So, to sum it up: the first few days are mediocre. The real fire starts on Thursday, July 30th, with the glassy afternoon, and then the absolute peak is Saturday, August 1st, and Sunday, August 2nd. That’s your window for the best, most powerful

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Mon night, light winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon).

Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
3
3
2
1
1
2
1
3
3
2
2
3
0
2
3
3
4
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
16
2.3
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.5
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
1.5
WSW
9
2.1
W
11
2.5
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
1.9
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2982
2418
1914
1325
1037
851
624
524
478
427
628
618
351
1048
2906
2527
1975
1864
1280
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
15
WSW
25
WSW
25
W
20
WSW
25
WSW
20
SW
15
WSW
15
WSW
15
NW
25
N
25
NNW
35
NW
25
WNW
25
SW
15
SSW
10
S
10
SSW
0
SE
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
10:19AM0.78m
11:59AM0.84m
12:49PM0.90m
1:24PM0.96m
2:45AM0.37m
1:54PM1.01m
2:43AM0.41m
2:20PM1.04m
2:54AM0.45m
Low Tide
11:35PM0.23m
11:03PM0.24m
10:07PM0.23m
9:39PM0.22m
9:34PM0.20m
6:03AM0.32m
9:37PM0.19m
6:55AM0.27m
9:44PM0.17m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:34
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:36
5:37
 mm
2
1
1
1
Temp °C
12
12
13
14
14
15
15
14
14
14
14
16
16
15
14
12
12
12
12
Feels °C
7
8
8
9
10
10
11
11
11
12
8
11
11
11
10
7
9
9
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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