
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 4 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 5 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 19s period, SSW swell with 3,901 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 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 Saturday (Jul 04) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 2.4m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 05) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 10) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 4th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sat 4th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 5th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at the forecast for Chinamans.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start here. The first worthwhile surf is Friday afternoon, July 3rd, but honestly, don’t get too excited. The swell is a powerful 10ft from the southwest with a 15-second period, and the combined wave energy is massive at 4054, but a strong 12 mph cross-onshore wind is making it choppy and tough. Water temp is sitting at 60°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. This is one for experienced surfers only, and even then, it’s not the cleanest.
Now, the real standout is Saturday morning, July 4th. The wind drops right out to a glassy 3 mph from the ESE, and we’ve got a 6ft SW swell with a solid 14-second period. The energy is still strong at 1403. This is clean, excellent surf for those who know what they’re doing. It’s the pick of the first week without a doubt.
The rest of the first week is a mixed bag. Sunday morning, July 5th, sees a bigger 8ft SW swell (period 17 seconds, energy 3745), but a 16 mph cross-wind from the ENE messes it up. That swell is getting long in the tooth, and at a reef break like Chinamans, it could be a bit too straight. Too big for beginners anyway.
Monday and Tuesday are smaller with messy cross-shore winds. Not worth paddling out.
Then we hit Friday morning, July 10th. The wind swings to a clean 9 mph cross-offshore from the NE. Swell is a manageable 5ft from the SW, 15-second period, with moderate energy (859). It’s clean, it’s tidy, and it’s a solid option. The afternoon sees even better, with a 12 mph offshore from the NNW, keeping the 5ft swell glassy. This is good, surfable condition.
The following weekend, July 11th (Saturday) , brings a bigger 7ft west swell with a 13-second period. The wind is a clean offshore from the NNW at 16 mph in the morning, easing to 12 mph in the afternoon. This is a powerful swell, only for experts, but it’s clean. The afternoon is the best of the two, with excellent conditions for the experienced crew.
Things go south from Sunday, July 12th. A huge 12ft SW swell (energy a whopping 6411) gets hammered by a 34 mph SW gale. Blown out and dangerous. This continues into Monday, July 13th, with strong cross-shore winds and massive, messy swell. Not surfable.
The rest of the second week is mostly a write-off. Onshore winds and poor conditions dominate right through until the end of the period. There’s a flicker of hope on Friday morning, July 17th, with a decent 5ft SW swell (16-second period, energy 1801) and light cross-onshore wind. It’s marginal, but it’s the best we’ll see for a while.
Then, finally, Saturday, July 18th shows some promise. A 5ft SW swell with a 15-second period, but the wind is a light offshore from the north at just 3 mph in the morning, turning to a clean cross-offshore from the WNW in the afternoon. This is clean, smooth, and a good note to end on.
So, the standout is Saturday morning, July 4th for that glassy, clean swell. The backup is Friday, July 10th for more clean, manageable waves, and Saturday, July 11th for the bigger, expert-level swell with offshore wind. The second half of July is mostly a bust, with only the final Saturday looking decent.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon night, min 11°C on Mon afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fri 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4054 | 2197 | 1403 | 1115 | 1506 | 3738 | 2567 | 1571 | 763 | 469 | 362 | 952 | 1265 | 2082 | 3663 | 2678 | 1664 | 924 | 1028 | 1011 | 859 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:42PM1.08m | 4:05AM0.51m | 4:06PM1.03m | 4:36AM0.55m | 4:28PM0.96m | 5:12AM0.60m | 4:48PM0.86m | 5:55AM0.65m | 5:03PM0.75m | 6:51AM0.71m | 5:04PM0.64m | 8:06AM0.78m | 9:43AM0.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:59PM0.24m | 8:58AM0.27m | 11:15PM0.25m | 9:34AM0.31m | 11:30PM0.26m | 10:15AM0.36m | 11:42PM0.26m | 11:07AM0.44m | 11:54PM0.26m | 12:23PM0.52m | 00:07AM0.25m | 00:21AM0.23m | |||||||||
— | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | |
5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | 5:23 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
4054 | 2197 | 1403 | 1115 | 1506 | 3738 | 2567 | 1571 | 763 | 469 | 362 | 952 | 1265 | 2082 | 3663 | 2678 | 1664 | 924 | 1028 | 1011 | 859 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | — | — | — | E 3 | — | SSW 13 | — | — | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 392 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 219 | — | — | 590 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 540 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | E 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | — | — | ESE 3 | E 3 | E 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 |
— | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 46 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 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.











