
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,171 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 6AM (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 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s headed our way for Chinamans over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, it’s a rough start. Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are a write-off. The swell is there, but the wind is a mess, and the notes are all saying "poor surf conditions." Don’t bother paddling out. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual there.
Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th are still pretty average. The combined energy drops from a strong 2557 down to 1049, and the wind is either cross or cross-on, keeping things choppy and messy. It’s marginal at best, and you’ll be fighting a bumpy surface.
Then we get a window. Sunday the 26th morning is the first real glimmer – clean conditions with a light offshore breeze from the NNW. Swell is a modest 4ft from the SW, with a period of 11 seconds. The energy is weak at 404, but it’s clean. The afternoon stays clean, too, with a gentle offshore. It’s not pumping, but for a quiet session, it’s a go.
Monday the 27th picks up. The morning is a bit sketchy, but Monday afternoon gets good. A 8ft swell from the WSW with a period of 11 seconds and a gentle offshore wind. The energy is a solid 1693, and the notes say "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That’s a standout. Just be aware that at 8ft, it’s only for the crew who know what they’re doing.
Tuesday the 28th morning is another highlight. A 8ft swell from the SW with a long 15-second period, light cross-off wind, and a combined energy of 3010. The notes say "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is a serious groundswell, and at a reef break like Chinamans, it’s going to line up nicely. The afternoon turns a bit messy with cross-on wind, but the morning is the session to aim for.
Wednesday the 29th morning is glassy. Flat calm, clean conditions with a 6ft SW swell and a 14-second period. Energy is 1573. The notes are calling it excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a beautiful window for a long paddle and some clean, powerful waves.
The following days into early August are a mixed bag. Thursday the 30th afternoon is clean and worth a look with a 4ft swell. Friday the 31st afternoon is glassy again with a 5ft, 16-second period swell – that’s a very long period, and it’ll be breaking nice and straight at the reef. The energy is 1350, and the notes say "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That’s another standout.
After that, the swell starts to fade and the wind cranks up. From Saturday the 1st of August into the following week, the wind is strong and gusty, with a 28 mph offshore on the 2nd and a near gale on the 3rd. The energy bounces around but the conditions are marginal or poor. The waves are there, but the wind is a beast. For a spot like this, with that much wind and size, it’s looking more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The long-range stuff from the 4th of August onwards is messy and unreliable. The wind stays strong, and the swell is smaller and choppy. It’s not the time to plan a trip.
Best on offer: Tuesday the 28th morning and Friday the 31st afternoon. Both are excellent for experienced surfers, with clean conditions, proper groundswell, and good energy. The 28th has the bigger size (8ft), while the 31st has the glassy, long-period sweet spot. If you’re an advanced surfer, mark those days.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | WSW 12 | WNW 9 | WSW 11 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
463 | 722 | 833 | 2670 | 2544 | 3026 | 3021 | 2557 | 1888 | 1325 | 1037 | 784 | 503 | 363 | 411 | 512 | 682 | 1693 | 1398 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:59AM0.76m | 4:25PM0.58m | 8:11AM0.76m | 10:19AM0.78m | 11:59AM0.84m | 12:49PM0.90m | 1:24PM0.96m | 2:45AM0.37m | |||||||||||
Low Tide | 11:38PM0.21m | 1:03PM0.53m | 11:42PM0.22m | 11:35PM0.23m | 11:03PM0.24m | 10:07PM0.23m | 9:39PM0.22m | 9:34PM0.20m | |||||||||||
— | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | NNW 5 | SW 12 |
463 | 121 | 110 | 2670 | 1244 | 3026 | 3021 | 2557 | 1888 | 1325 | 1037 | 784 | 503 | 363 | 411 | 512 | 142 | 10 | 963 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | W 10 |
34 | 70 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | 11 | 41 | 21 | 109 | 181 | — | 502 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 14 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 410 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | SW 14 | SW 12 | — | SW 14 | — | — | — | WSW 4 | W 4 | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WSW 11 | SW 12 |
10 | 722 | 833 | — | 2544 | — | — | — | 12 | 24 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 171 | 682 | 1693 | 1398 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 162 | 717 | 32 | 745 | 32 | 32 | 46 | 506 | 506 | 7 | 32 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










