
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 6,682 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s 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 14) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 15s 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 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
Right, let’s talk about the next couple of weeks around here. It’s a bit of a slow burner, but there’s some serious potential hiding in the middle.
We’re looking at a classic winter pattern for Chinamans. No surf to speak of right now, and for the first few days, conditions are plain ugly. That Saturday (11th) and Sunday (12th) are messy, with big, sloppy lines and nasty cross-shore winds. Not worth a paddle. The wait is on.
Things start to turn on Monday the 13th. That morning, a solid 10ft SW groundswell shows up, with a very long 16-second period and a clean cross-off breeze. The wave energy is massive (8747). It’s still a bit raw, and the strength of the swell makes it one for experienced surfers only. Tuesday (14th) winds swing onshore and it gets choppy again, so that Monday is your first real chance to get wet—it’s the standout of the first week for sure.
The real magic, though, looks to be Wednesday the 15th. The swell drops just enough to 7ft, still from the SW, with that long 15-second period, but the wind goes glassy. Wednesday morning has a light NNE breeze, and by the afternoon it turns full offshore from the north with barely a breath of air. The water’s sitting around 60°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so you won’t need the thickest rubber. That afternoon session is as clean as it gets here—crisp lines, a bit of punch, and not too crazy. Perfect for a confident intermediate or a seasoned local.
Thursday the 16th holds clean, smaller waves in the chest-to-head range with lighter winds. Friday the 17th bumps back up a touch, but the wind stays clean out of the north. By the following weekend (18th/19th), the swell fades right down and the wind picks up again, so that window from Monday the 13th through Friday the 17th is where it’s all happening. After that, we get a run of smaller, clean but weak surf into the second week, with another pulse of solid 10ft swell on Thursday the 23rd, but that comes with a strong breeze. It’s there if you’re desperate, but the conditions won’t be as sweet as that mid-week spell.
So, for the pick of the fortnight: Wednesday the 15th afternoon at Chinamans. A clean, offshore 6ft SW swell with that deep, long-period push. It’s an advanced break anyway, so you’ll want to know what you’re doing, but this is the cleanest it’ll get. Monday the 13th morning is the other standout if you want more size.
Stay stoked, and I’ll see you out there when it cleans up.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | WSW 8 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
998 | 2539 | 3371 | 2861 | 3293 | 4940 | 5793 | 5686 | 6410 | 5233 | 4136 | 2593 | 1784 | 1505 | 1108 | 899 | 791 | 2129 | 2212 | 1471 | 813 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:10AM0.97m | 12:14PM1.07m | 1:22AM0.26m | 1:06PM1.16m | 1:50AM0.30m | 1:51PM1.21m | 2:20AM0.37m | 2:32PM1.22m | 2:54AM0.45m | 3:09PM1.19m | 3:30AM0.53m | 3:42PM1.12m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 1:01AM0.23m | 9:31PM0.21m | 3:57AM0.24m | 9:29PM0.18m | 5:42AM0.21m | 9:42PM0.16m | 6:52AM0.17m | 10:00PM0.16m | 7:50AM0.15m | 10:20PM0.16m | 8:40AM0.16m | 10:39PM0.17m | |||||||||
7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | |
mm | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
Feels °C | 2 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 22 | SW 20 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
— | — | — | 19 | 61 | 622 | 2954 | 2941 | 3231 | 2761 | 4136 | 2593 | 1784 | 1505 | 1108 | 899 | 791 | 2129 | 2212 | 1471 | 813 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 19 | SW 18 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 163 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 133 | 375 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | NNW 4 | — | NE 3 | NE 4 | N 3 |
998 | 2539 | 3371 | 2861 | 3293 | 4940 | 5793 | 5686 | 6410 | 5233 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | — | 6 | 5 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 728 | 968 | 968 | 1186 | 1338 | 726 | 1034 | 1034 | 729 | 738 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 11 | 3 |
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.










