Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.6° C
0.3° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s 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★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 14s period. 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 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Tue 21st Jul)6ft (1.8m) 14s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 21st Jul)6ft (1.8m) 14s
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. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead with one clear standout, so let’s get into it.

The overall pattern kicks off Monday afternoon, July 20, with a good pulse of SW groundswell at Chinamans, a reef break. We’re looking at 5ft of swell from the southwest, with a period of 15 seconds – that’s some proper long-period groundswell, meaning plenty of energy and shape, but it’ll be more forgiving at this reef setup than a beach break. The wind is light offshore from the NNW, keeping things clean and glassy. The water is sitting at 60°, which is about average for this time of year. The combined swell energy is quite strong at 1045, so there’s some punch behind it. This is an advanced break, so it’s not for the beginners, but the quality is excellent. Crowds are possible here, so keep an eye out.

Now, Tuesday morning the 21st holds similar conditions – still 5ft at 13 seconds, with gentle offshore wind, making for very good surf. The energy drops a touch to 821, but it’s still a solid session.

From Wednesday the 22nd through to the 26th, things get messy. A fresh cross-shore wind kicks up, lumpy chop sets in, and the quality drops. The swell hangs around 5ft to 10ft, but with poor wind conditions, it’s not worth paddling out for a proper surf. That Thursday the 23rd sees 8ft to 10ft, but with strong cross-onshore wind, it’s just a washout. This is more for kite surfers than paddle surfers during that stretch.

Then we get a bit of a breather on Monday the 27th. The morning is small at 4ft with light cross-shore wind, but it’s the afternoon that sparks up: 8ft of swell, cleaner conditions with a cross-off breeze, and a solid 10-second period. The energy is strong at 1714. This is a promising window for experienced surfers again.

But the real standout – the one you want to circle on the calendar – is Tuesday morning, July 28. We’ve got a big 10ft groundswell from the SW, with a very long period of 19 seconds. That’s a rare, deep ocean pulse. The wind is fresh offshore from the NNW, creating clean, groomed faces. The combined energy is massive at 7066. This is expert-only territory; the size and power will be intense. The period is so long that the sets will be widely spaced, giving you time to paddle out, but the wave shape will be excellent on this reef. This is the best on offer.

After that, the surf slowly drops through the end of July and into early August. Wednesday the 29th still has 10ft from the SW, but with rain showers and a cross-off wind, it’s more marginal. By the 30th and 31st, we’re down to 6ft and then 4ft, with cleaner conditions but lower energy.

The first few days of August see strong offshore winds, but the swell is small – around 5ft to 5ft. The wind is strong, making paddling out a challenge, but the waves are clean. For the experienced surfer, there’s still some fun to be had, especially Monday afternoon August 3rd with 3ft, light offshore wind, and a long 14-second period. Clean and tidy.

The final day, Tuesday August 4th, gives us a light 3ft from the SW, but with a long 16-second period and gentle offshore wind. It’s a nice, small, clean end to the run.

So to sum it up: the first few days are good, then a rough patch, then a big standout on the 28th, then a gradual taper. Don’t sleep on that Tuesday morning.

Stay salty,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Tue night, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Thu afternoon). Mainly fresh winds.

Mon
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
2
1
0
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.4
SW
13
1.3
SW
12
1.5
SW
14
1.8
SW
12
2.3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.4
SW
16
2.2
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.8
SW
13
1.8
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.5
SW
11
1.4
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1045
1307
821
629
463
804
899
2201
2822
3094
2796
2168
1941
1344
1083
1034
899
655
573
488
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
15
N
15
NNW
15
WNW
20
WNW
30
SW
30
WSW
25
SSW
30
SSW
25
SSW
20
SSW
25
WSW
25
WSW
25
WSW
25
WSW
30
WSW
30
SW
25
SW
25
SW
15
SW
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
High Tide
4:53PM0.77m
6:08AM0.75m
4:58PM0.66m
6:59AM0.76m
4:25PM0.58m
8:11AM0.76m
10:19AM0.78m
11:59AM0.84m
12:49PM0.90m
Low Tide
11:28PM0.20m
11:50AM0.45m
11:38PM0.21m
1:03PM0.53m
11:42PM0.22m
11:35PM0.23m
11:03PM0.24m
10:07PM0.23m
9:39PM0.22m
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:34
5:35
 mm
2
1
1
2
1
2
3
Temp °C
15
15
15
15
15
14
13
12
11
12
12
12
12
14
14
14
14
14
15
15
Feels °C
12
12
12
12
13
7
6
4
4
5
6
6
6
9
9
8
8
9
10
11
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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