Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s shaping up for our stretch of coast.

We’ve got a solid run of surf on the horizon, but it’s a mixed bag with plenty of wind to work through. The pick of the week is definitely going to be a couple of standout sessions if you’re willing to wait for the right moment.

First up, the wave energy is ticking over nicely with a combined energy reading of 461 (moderate wave energy) for Sunday afternoon, 26 July. Swell is coming from the SW at a clean 4.3ft with a 12-second period. That’s a solid groundswell for the reef at Chinamans. Winds are a light cross-off from the NW at 9 mph, which should keep it clean. The water’s sitting at 59.2°, which is pretty much average for this time of year. This is a good one to get into, no drama.

Monday morning 27 July gets a bit more interesting. The swell holds at 4.3ft, still from the SW, but the period jumps to 14 seconds and the wind swings to a firm offshore from the NNW at 22 mph. It’ll be clean as a whistle, but that fresh breeze makes paddling a fight. The combined energy kicks up to 579 (moderate). Worth it for the surfer who can handle a bit of a workout. Monday afternoon sees the swell increase to 5.6ft but the period drops to 9 seconds and the wind cranks to 28 mph from the NW. Strong offshore and clean, but hard work getting out.

Tuesday 28 July brings a serious pulse. You’re looking at 9.8ft from the WSW with a 15-second period in the morning and combined energy at 3677 (strong). The problem? A strong cross-off from the WSW at 25 mph. It’s clean-ish, but that’s big and punchy – this is for experts only. The afternoon gets messy with 11.5ft swell and strong cross-shore winds at 28 mph. Kite surfers might love that one, paddle surfers will hate it.

Wednesday 29 July still has size – 9.8ft in the morning from the SW with 15-second period and energy at 4139 (strong) – but the wind is onshore from the S at 9 mph. Not ideal. The afternoon drops to 8.2ft but picks up a moderate cross-onshore from the SSW at 12 mph. Choppy.

Thursday 30 July sees the swell drop back to 5.6ft in the morning with a 13-second period. Energy at 991 (moderate). Light onshore winds from the SSE at just 3 mph make it a flat, slow day. Afternoon is similar with 4.9ft.

Now, here’s the real standout. Friday 31 July. Morning has 3.6ft from the SW, 13-second period, and NE cross-off winds at 9 mph. Clean. But the afternoon is the gold: just 2.3ft of swell, but from the SW with a very long 20-second period and combined energy at 774 (moderate). Winds are light from the NNE at 6 mph. That’s going to be glassy, long-period lines peeling down the reef. For a small swell, this is near-perfect.

Saturday morning 1 August has 3.6ft from the SW with 16-second period and moderate cross-off from the N at 16 mph. Clean. But Saturday afternoon is another standout: 3.9ft, 19-second period, combined energy at 1524 (strong), and a solid offshore from the N at 16 mph. That’s described as “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the one to circle on the calendar.

Sunday 2 August has 6.2ft from the SW with 16-second period in the morning, but the N wind is pumping at 25 mph. Strong offshore and clean, but a paddling nightmare. The afternoon hits 8.2ft from the WSW, cross-off from the W at 28 mph, energy at 4536 (strong). Clean but wild.

The first week is the money. After that, it’s a grind. Monday 3 August and Tuesday 4 August are messy with strong cross-shore winds and big swell (9.8ft on Monday, 5.9ft on Tuesday). Wednesday 5 August has 7.2ft in the morning with 16-second period and light cross-shore winds – could be OK but not the best. Thursday 6 August is back to clean moderate swell (3.3ft morning, 6.2ft afternoon) with cross-off winds. Not bad, not great.

The end of the run, around 10 August, shows a massive pulse coming: 11.5ft from the SW with a 20-second period and combined energy at a colossal 12209 (very strong wave energy) on Monday morning. Strong offshore from the NNE at 28 mph. That’s huge, heavy, and for experts only. Monday afternoon is similar at 11.5ft with 19-second period and energy at 11534 (very strong wave energy), with offshore from the NNW at 28 mph. This is a long-range call, so treat it as promising but less certain. If it comes together, Chinamans could be firing.

Overall, don’t waste the small, clean days on Friday 31 July afternoon and Saturday

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