Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Issued: 8 pm 03 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.8° C

Normal for this time of year

Chinamans surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Chinamans surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore 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★+): Monday 6 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Monday (Jul 06) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s. 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 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 1.4m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Mon 6th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 15s
Best Surf12PM (Wed 8th Jul)8ft (2.4m) 17s
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, grab your board, let’s get into it. This is Rusty.

Looks like the swell is coming, but there’s no rush. The first few days are looking pretty average, with a mix of lumpy cross-shore breezes and small window opportunities. We’ve got a solid run of south-west groundswell building through the period, and for a reef break like Chinamans, that’s a sweet setup. The water temp is not doing anything weird, just normal for this time of year, which is fine by me.

The first real surf on offer kicks off around Saturday, July 4th, but honestly, it’s nothing special. A 6 ft south-west groundswell with a long 14-second period is pushing in, but it’s being ruined by a cross-onshore breeze. The combined energy is moderate (1403), but the face is messy and the tide is a concern. Score isn’t high. That afternoon gets smaller and worse. Sunday, July 5th sees a bigger 8 ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period, which means proper energy (3744), but the wind is a strong cross-shore. This thing will be bumpy and tricky—definitely one for the experts only if you’re keen on tackling a beast.

Monday, July 6th, fades quickly. The swell drops to 5 ft and the wind is still cross. Clean lines are hard to come by. The next few days are patchy with moderate wind and cross-chop, though Wednesday, July 8th packs a punch with 8 ft SW at 18-seconds—that’s a serious long-period groundswell (3705). But the wind is cross, so expect some bump. Not the cleanest, but the power is there for those who can handle it.

The standout moment on the near-term horizon is Friday afternoon, July 10th. The wind swings offshore from the north at 15 mph, the swell is a clean 4 ft from the SW with a 14-second period (726 combined energy). The conditions are described as “clean” and the surf is expected to be very good. This is the one you want to paddle out for if you can get there. Glassy conditions early, and the offshore wind will hold the lines nicely. Not huge, but quality.

Wednesday, July 15th, is a gem of a day. The wind is glassy, the swell is 6 ft from the SW with a long 15-second period (1608-1647 combined energy). Conditions are described as “excellent” for experienced surfers. This is a late-morning and afternoon session for the books. Clean, predictable lines on the reef. Crowds are possible here, so get there early.

Monday, July 13th afternoon is a weird one. 13 ft SW at 17 seconds is massive energy (16062), but it’s a classic “too big for this break” warning. Unless you’re a pro and want to stare down huge walls, it’s a spectator day.

The 14th and 15th are the real highlights. The 15th (Wednesday) especially—glassy, clean, and solid 6 ft SW swell. That is the pick of the bunch.

For the second week, things stay active but less certain. Thursday, July 16th has a 7 ft SW swell with a 17-second period (2259), but wind turns cross-onshore. Friday-Sunday (17th-19th) has smaller swells (4 ft to 5 ft) with cleaner cross-off winds, so you’ll still find fun, punchy waves at Chinamans if you time the tides. Consistency is fairly reliable, but the big, clean days are behind us.

In short: the first weekend is average, the real standout is Friday 10th afternoon (clean offshore) and the absolute gem is Wednesday 15th (glassy, 6 ft). If you’re chasing the biggest, wildest energy, the 13th will be massive but beyond the limit for almost everyone. The rest of the week is low-key but rideable.

Stay stoked.
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 9°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Fri
10
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
0
3
1
2
2
0
1
1
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
3
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
1.7
SW
14
1.9
SW
15
2.5
SW
17
2.2
SSW
16
1.8
SW
16
1.4
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
1.4
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.4
SW
18
2.5
SW
18
2.3
SW
16
1.8
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.5
SW
15
1.3
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2197
1403
1115
1506
3738
2567
1571
763
469
284
976
1297
1298
3705
2711
1664
1108
1200
1200
924
726
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
5
SE
10
ESE
20
ESE
25
ENE
20
E
20
ENE
15
ENE
10
ESE
20
E
20
ENE
15
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
5
ENE
15
ENE
10
ENE
10
ESE
15
ENE
15
NNE
25
N
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
off
High Tide
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
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:23
 mm
Temp °C
14
14
14
13
12
11
11
10
11
14
14
14
14
13
14
13
12
13
12
13
13
Feels °C
11
12
12
9
7
7
6
8
8
10
10
10
10
8
12
10
10
11
9
8
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
1.7
SW
14
1.9
SW
15
2.5
SW
17
2.2
SSW
16
1.8
SW
16
1.4
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
1.4
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
2.5
SW
18
2.3
SW
16
1.8
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.5
SW
15
1.3
SW
14
Energy kJ
2197
1403
1115
1506
3738
2567
1571
763
469
284
976
1297
1025
3705
2711
1664
1108
1200
1200
924
726
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
20
0.2
E
3
0.6
SW
18
1.4
SW
18
0.2
SSW
20
0.8
SSW
17
Energy kJ
392
1
249
1298
38
368
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
19
Energy kJ
540
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ESE
4
0.5
E
4
0.5
E
4
0.4
ESE
4
0.3
ENE
3
0.3
E
2
0.3
E
4
0.4
ENE
3
0.4
NE
3
0.3
ENE
3
0.5
N
3
Energy kJ
9
6
8
4
2
1
2
4
3
2
6
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
5
4
4
3
2
3
3
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
Distance (km)
7
3
3
7
13
7
3
3
3
13
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
3
2
3
3
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
5
4
9
9
5
4
4
8
7
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
5
9
7
5
6
8
7
5
5
9
9
9
5
6
6
7
7
  • 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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