Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.5° C
0.1° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-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, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 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 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 15s period. 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 2.1m 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Wed 15th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 15s
Best Surf 6PM (Wed 15th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 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

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s coming down the pike for us.

We’ve got a solid run of surf on the way, starting this Wednesday morning and running through to the following Tuesday. The standout period is the first few days, with a powerful, long-period groundswell from the SW pushing some serious energy onto the exposed reefs. The water temp is sitting at 60°F, which is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

The first call is Chinamans (reef, advanced) . This is where the action is. Wednesday morning is firing: a clean 7ft SW swell with a 15-second period, light offshore wind from the N, and a combined energy reading of 1941. That’s some serious grunt. It’s dialled in for experienced surfers. The afternoon holds up just as well with a 7ft SW swell and 14-second period, still offshore and clean. This is the pick of the week. The whole stretch from Wednesday through Friday is exceptional, with Thursday afternoon seeing the energy peak at 2133 with a 16-second period, all under offshore winds. Friday holds strong too, with 6ft to 6ft SW swells and long periods. This is a top-tier run—long, clean lines, plenty of power, and the reef will handle that long period beautifully. Expect the crew to be out, so that “sometimes” crowd label is likely to be a reality.

We start to see a drop-off on Saturday the 18th. The swell backs down to 4ft, energy drops to 547, and the wind goes cross-offshore. It’s still a clean wave, but the punch is gone. Sunday the 19th is a mixed bag: morning is marginal with a 3ft swell, but the afternoon sees a weird spike in period to 18 seconds with a 3ft swell and 666 energy. That’s a quirky, clean, offshore wind setup, but it’s small.

The first week of the second week, from Monday the 20th to Tuesday the 21st, offers a solid rebound. We’re looking at 4ft to 5ft SW swells with moderate offshore winds and energy readings in the 760-810 range. Very good, clean conditions, but nothing compared to the opening blast.

Then things get ugly. From Wednesday the 22nd, the wind swings around and brings poor conditions. The 23rd and 24th of July get a big injection of swell, pushing 8ft, but with strong cross-onshore winds from the S, it’s a complete mess. The energy is huge—up to 2962—but the surface will be chopped up and unruly. That’s not paddle surfing; that’s kite territory, if anything.

The final few days, from the 26th to the 30th, fade into small, clean(ish) waves. A glassy morning on the 27th with a 3ft swell and 12-second period is worth a look if you’re desperate, and the 28th sees a flat calm morning with a 3ft glassy wave. The last day, the 30th, has a weird 2ft swell with a 24-second period—a very long period grinder that will barely break on a reef, but it’s there.

Best bet: Get out there Wednesday the 15th through Friday the 17th. That’s your window. Everything else is a compromise.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly 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
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
SW
15
2
SW
14
1.8
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
2.1
SW
16
1.8
SW
15
1.8
SW
16
1.7
SW
16
1.4
SW
14
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
0.9
SW
12
0.9
SW
18
1.3
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.5
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1941
1624
1421
1801
2133
1581
1552
1374
825
526
386
277
212
522
920
799
763
626
769
809
520
Wind (km/h)
10
N
10
NW
10
NE
15
NNE
10
N
15
NNE
15
N
10
NNW
15
NNE
15
NNE
15
N
20
NNE
20
N
20
N
20
N
25
N
20
N
15
N
20
NNW
20
N
15
NNW
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
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
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:28
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
 mm
Temp °C
12
13
12
12
12
12
12
13
13
13
14
15
14
16
17
15
16
16
15
16
15
Feels °C
10
12
10
10
10
8
9
10
9
9
11
11
10
12
13
10
12
12
10
11
12
  • 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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