Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on what’s shaking for Chinamans. We got a solid run of surf ahead, but there’s some days you’ll want to sit out and some you’ll be frothing on.

The first worthwhile session is Thursday afternoon, 27 August. Water temp is sitting at 15.1°, about average for the season. You’ll find a clean 1.5m (that’s about 5 ft) swell from the SW, period of 14 seconds – that’s a real groundswell – and the combined swell energy is pumping at 1771 (moderate‑to‑strong). Wind is a NNW offshore at 15 km/h (about 9 mph), keeping it glassy. This is a reef break, so that long period stands it up nicely. Only for the advanced crew, but if you’re experienced, it’s a ripper.

Friday morning, 28 August, the swell goes to 2.2m (7.2 ft) still SW with a 16‑second period – even longer – combined energy 2537 (strong). Wind is ENE at 10 km/h (6 mph), a light cross‑shore, so not as clean as Thursday. Still surfable for those in the know. Friday afternoon drops to 2.1m (6.9 ft) but wind turns cross‑onshore, bumping it up.

Saturday, 29 August and Sunday, 30 August see the swell shrinking – 1.4m (4.6 ft) down to 0.8m (2.6 ft) – with cross‑onshore winds from the east. The period does hit a massive 20 seconds on Sunday morning, but combined energy drops to 841 (weak). Not worth the paddle.

Now, the good stuff returns. Monday morning, 31 August: 1.8m (5.9 ft) from the SW, period 15 seconds, combined energy 2530 (strong). Wind is NE at 15 km/h (9 mph), a light cross‑offshore – clean. Monday afternoon gets even better: 2.2m (7.2 ft), 18‑second groundswell, combined energy 2912 (strong), and a N cross‑offshore breeze. That’s a standout – the reef will be firing with long, powerful lines. Crowds are possible here, as it’s the best session of the stretch so far.

Tuesday, 1 September gets a fresh NNW offshore at 35 km/h (22 mph) in the morning – clean but strong – pushing a 1.6m (5.2 ft), 16‑second swell (combined energy 1164). Surfable for the seasoned crew, but the wind’s a handful. Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday, 2 September, stay clean with moderate winds and swell around 1.5m to 1.8m (5–6 ft).

Thursday, 3 September has a 2.3m (7.5 ft) morning swell from the SW at 15 seconds (combined energy 2148) with a 30 km/h (19 mph) cross‑offshore – clean but full‑on. The wind picks up to 35 km/h (22 mph) in the afternoon, making it gnarly.

Friday, 4 September is the absolute highlight. Friday morning: 2.4m (7.9 ft) from the SW, 14‑second period, combined energy 2317 (strong), and a light NW breeze at 10 km/h (6 mph) – glassy and clean. Friday afternoon: the swell jumps to 3.0m (9.8 ft) from the WSW (combined energy a massive 5389 – very strong). That afternoon is only for experts, as anything over 2.5m (8.2 ft) is serious. The wind stays light offshore. This is the best on offer – big, clean, powerful.

Saturday, 5 September remains solid at 2.5m (8.2 ft) morning and 3.0m (9.8 ft) afternoon, but the wind swings to cross‑shore from the east, adding chop. The morning is cleaner, but it’s still big.

From Sunday, 6 September onward, it gets messy. Sunday morning has 2.2m (7.2 ft) but a fresh 35 km/h (22 mph) cross‑offshore and light

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