Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 26 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.3° 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 26 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 8,013 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 12PM (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 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Sun 26th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf12PM (Sun 26th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Most Powerful12AM (Wed 29th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Rusty here, and let’s talk about the same stretch but in feet and miles per hour for the imperials. This whole outlook is just about Chinamans, a reef break that needs everything dialed in. Water temp is `15°` (about 60°F), pretty average for the time of year.

First off, the run starts clean but small. Sunday morning (July 26): clear, light cross-off wind from the west at about `6 mph`, and a `4 ft` SW groundswell with a 12-second period. The energy’s moderate (479), so it’s a decent, clean little wave.

Monday (July 27): offshore wind from the NNW but it’s strong—`22 mph`. Swell is `4 ft` with a longer 14-second period. Energy’s up to `876`. Clean and chunky, but you’ll need to work for it.

Then we hit the slop. Tuesday (July 28) and Wednesday (July 29) are total washouts for surfing—cross-shore and cross-onshore winds blowing `25–28 mph` with swell over `8 ft` and up to `10 ft`. The energy is massive (3241 to 4529), but it’s a wind-rippled, messy mess. This is kite territory, not paddle.

Thursday (July 30) calms down with `5 ft` swell and light cross-onshore wind. It’s marginal but possible.

Now for the good stuff. Friday (July 31) starts clean in the morning, but the Friday afternoon is a winner: offshore breeze from the north at `9 mph`, and a tiny but long-period `3 ft` SW groundswell at 20 seconds. Energy is `829`. That long period will make those small waves smooth and peel nicely.

Saturday (August 1): offshore `15 mph`, clear skies, `4 ft` SW groundswell at 17 seconds. Energy at `886`. A really solid day. Sunday (August 2) is a bit bigger (`6 ft`) but the wind turns cross-off—still clean, but not glassy.

The absolute best is Wednesday, August 5. No wind—glassy. Swell is `7 ft` from the SW with a very long 17-second period and energy of `4191`. That’s too big for beginners, but for experts it’s going to be a proper day of making the reef sing.

Friday, August 7 afternoon is another beauty: offshore `9 mph`, `7 ft` SW groundswell, 17-second period, energy of `3295`. Clean and powerful.

After that, it drops off—smaller surf and onshore gales kick in around August 9. The standout days are August 5 (glassy, 7 ft) and August 7 afternoon (offshore, 7 ft), with a nice runner-up on July 31 afternoon (small but perfect). The long-range ones are a bit less certain, but they’ve got all the marks of a proper session.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sun morning, strong winds from the SW by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
3
2
3
2
3
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1.3
SW
14
1.9
WNW
9
2.1
WSW
11
2.5
WSW
15
3
SW
15
4
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
2
SW
14
1.7
SW
13
1.5
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
0.8
SW
20
1
SW
18
1.3
SW
17
1.6
SW
17
1.7
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
469
427
338
586
547
1104
3241
4121
8013
4529
2880
1429
991
744
552
369
455
614
886
1432
1492
Wind (km/h)
10
W
15
NW
20
NNW
35
NNW
45
NW
30
WNW
40
WSW
45
SW
30
SSW
20
SSW
25
SSW
15
SSW
10
S
10
SW
5
N
15
NNE
15
N
15
NNE
25
N
25
N
25
N
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
12:49PM0.90m
1:24PM0.96m
2:45AM0.37m
1:54PM1.01m
2:43AM0.41m
2:20PM1.04m
2:54AM0.45m
2:44PM1.05m
3:10AM0.51m
3:07PM1.04m
3:30AM0.57m
3:28PM1.00m
Low Tide
9:39PM0.22m
9:34PM0.20m
6:03AM0.32m
9:37PM0.19m
6:55AM0.27m
9:44PM0.17m
7:35AM0.24m
9:54PM0.16m
8:10AM0.21m
10:04PM0.16m
8:44AM0.20m
10:14PM0.15m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:35
5:36
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:38
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
14
14
14
14
16
14
13
11
12
12
12
11
11
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
14
Feels °C
12
11
11
7
6
7
4
0
5
7
6
6
7
9
10
8
9
7
7
6
8
  • 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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