
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 16s period, SW swell with 2,133 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 2.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a good look at the next couple of weeks for Chinamans. This is a solid run of swell, no doubt about it, but we’ve gotta be smart about when to paddle out. The water’s sitting at 59.9°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year – nothing weird going on there.
We kick off Wednesday the 15th, and it’s on from the get-go. Wednesday morning has a clean 6.9ft SW groundswell pumping in with a 15-second period, and the wind is light and offshore from the NNW. The energy is strong (1941), and the conditions are absolute glass for experienced surfers. This is a standout. The afternoon holds up just as well with a 6.6ft SW swell, 14-second period, and still light offshore NW wind. It’s going to be a ripper day.
Thursday the 16th is another cracker. Morning comes in with a 6.9ft SW swell, 15-second period, and a cross-offshore NNE breeze – still clean and powerful. The afternoon might be the pick of the lot: 6.9ft SW, 16-second period, offshore N wind at 6.2 mph, and the energy jumps to 2133. That’s a serious groundswell pushing through, and it will be absolutely draining at this reef. For the advanced crew, this is the window.
Friday the 17th sees the swell ease a touch to 5.9ft in the morning and 5.2ft in the afternoon, but still with that long-period SW groundswell (16 seconds) and offshore winds. It’s still excellent, just a notch down in size. The energy is still strong (1552 and 1265). Saturday the 18th drops off to 3.9ft and 3.6ft, with cross-offshore winds – still clean, but the energy drops to 526 and 401. The afternoon gets a bit marginal, so I’d aim for the morning session.
Sunday the 19th is a weird one. Swell drops to 1.6ft in the morning with a 20-second period, but the wind is offshore from the N at 15.5 mph. That’s a lot of wind for a small, long-period swell. The energy is weak (392). It’s clean but not really worth the paddle. The afternoon builds to 2.6ft with 18 seconds, but still moderate wind.
Monday the 20th brings a nice rebound. Morning comes in with a 4.3ft SW swell, 15-second period, and offshore N wind at 15.5 mph – moderate offshore and clean, energy moderate at 788. The afternoon holds at 4.6ft with the same setup. Tuesday the 21st is similar, with 5.2ft in the morning and 4.6ft in the afternoon, both with offshore N wind around 12.4 to 15.5 mph. The energy is moderate (809 and 639). This is a solid stretch of clean, workable surf.
Now, Wednesday the 22nd the wind shifts to a fresh cross-offshore from the WNW at 21.7 mph, and the swell is 3.6ft to 3.9ft. The energy is moderate (653 and 1201), but that wind is gonna mess with the surface. The afternoon energy jumps to 1201, but it’s a bit lumpy. This is more of a kite surfer’s setup than a clean paddle day.
Thursday the 23rd is where it gets interesting again, but not for the faint-hearted. Morning has a 8.2ft SW swell with a 17-second period, and the energy is huge (3544). The wind is cross-shore from the WSW at 15.5 mph, creating a cross-chop. The afternoon jumps to 9.8ft, 16 seconds, and energy of 4493, but still cross-shore wind. This is big, powerful, and bumpy – only for the best, and even then, it’s a battle.
Friday the 24th is a true standout. The morning has 9.8ft SW swell, 16 seconds, and energy of 4959,
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1941 | 1624 | 1421 | 1801 | 2133 | 1602 | 1552 | 1265 | 825 | 526 | 386 | 277 | 186 | 442 | 834 | 788 | 857 | 885 | 809 | 639 | 416 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:32PM1.22m | 2:54AM0.45m | 3:09PM1.19m | 3:30AM0.53m | 3:42PM1.12m | 4:06AM0.61m | 4:11PM1.02m | 4:45AM0.67m | 4:36PM0.90m | 5:25AM0.72m | 4:53PM0.77m | 6:08AM0.75m | 4:58PM0.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:00PM0.16m | 7:50AM0.15m | 10:20PM0.16m | 8:40AM0.16m | 10:39PM0.17m | 9:28AM0.20m | 10:57PM0.18m | 10:13AM0.27m | 11:14PM0.19m | 10:59AM0.36m | 11:28PM0.20m | 11:50AM0.45m | 11:38PM0.21m | ||||||||
7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
— | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
1941 | 1624 | 1421 | 1801 | 2133 | 1602 | 1552 | 1265 | 825 | 526 | 386 | 277 | 149 | 442 | 834 | 788 | 857 | 885 | 809 | 639 | 416 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | — | WNW 7 | SW 21 | SW 20 | WSW 12 | W 8 | — | N 4 | — | — | — | SW 14 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | 15 | 18 | 186 | 164 | 74 | — | 9 | — | — | — | 221 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 21 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 57 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | N 3 | N 3 | N 3 | N 4 | N 4 | N 4 | NW 4 | — | — | — | N 3 | N 4 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 26 | — | — | — | 3 | 14 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 79 | 79 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
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.










