
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 4,309 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 13s 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 3PM. 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
First up, we’ve got a decent pulse of SW groundswell lining up for Chinamans, and the early part of the week is looking like the pick of the bunch. The water is sitting at 60°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, nothing weird going on there.
We start things off on Tuesday, July 21st. The morning is looking sweet with a clean 5 ft SW swell at 13 seconds, and a light NNW offshore breeze grooming it. The combined energy is a solid 821, and the setup is just clean and inviting. It's a reef break, so you need to know what you're doing, but for the advanced crew, this is a proper session. Tuesday afternoon holds up too, with a 5 ft SW swell, still clean.
Wednesday the 22nd is a different story. The wind swings around to the SW and picks up, turning the ocean into a lumpy, cross-choppy mess. The swell is still there at 5 ft, but the quality is gone. This one is a write-off.
Thursday the 23rd is a no-go. The swell jumps up to 8 ft to 10 ft, but it's coming with a strong cross-onshore wind that's just making it ugly and dangerous. Not for paddling, maybe for the kite crew if that's your thing.
Friday the 24th offers a slight improvement. The swell is still solid at 7 ft-8 ft from the SW with a very long 15-second period. This is a proper groundswell, and while it's a little jumbled, the afternoon sees a cleaner cross-off breeze. The energy is pumping (2896), and it could be worth a look for experienced surfers only, but the wind is still a bit of a factor.
The weekend from the 25th to the 27th is a bit of a mixed bag of marginal conditions. The swell drops, and the wind is never quite perfect. However, Monday the 27th is a standout. The morning brings a solid 8 ft SW swell with a 10-second period, and a strong 22 mph offshore wind. This is going to be clean, powerful, and demanding. The energy is 1478, so it's got some grunt. This is expert territory, but it will be special. The afternoon gets even stronger wind, 28 mph offshore, which is hard to paddle into, but if you can get in, the waves will be perfect.
After Monday, the outlook gets rough. From Tuesday the 28th through to the end of the month, we get a run of poor to marginal conditions as strong onshore winds dominate. The swell is still there, but it's messy.
Then, looking way out, there's a promising blip on Saturday, August 1st. The morning shows a clean 4 ft SW swell with a 14-second period, light offshore wind, and the energy is decent at 956. It's a long way off, so don't bank on it, but the models are hinting at a good clean-up. The afternoon holds at 5 ft and 16 seconds, but with a stronger cross-off breeze.
The standout for the whole period is Monday, July 27th at Chinamans. That combination of a big, solid SW swell and a strong, clean offshore wind is going to produce some absolutely epic, grinding waves for the experts. The water is a normal 60°, so no surprises there. Just be aware that this spot is exposed and can get crowded.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Tue night, fresh winds from the SW by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Fri morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 11 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
821 | 688 | 463 | 790 | 884 | 2263 | 2509 | 3094 | 2796 | 2418 | 2027 | 1325 | 1037 | 772 | 561 | 461 | 357 | 389 | 1478 | 1235 | 1650 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:58PM0.66m | 6:59AM0.76m | 4:25PM0.58m | 8:11AM0.76m | 10:19AM0.78m | 11:59AM0.84m | 12:49PM0.90m | 1:24PM0.96m | 2:45AM0.37m | ||||||||||||
Low Tide | 11:50AM0.45m | 11:38PM0.21m | 1:03PM0.53m | 11:42PM0.22m | 11:35PM0.23m | 11:03PM0.24m | 10:07PM0.23m | 9:39PM0.22m | 9:34PM0.20m | ||||||||||||
7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | — | WSW 20 | — |
821 | 688 | 463 | 509 | 108 | 1020 | 1244 | 3094 | 2796 | 2418 | 869 | 1325 | 1037 | 772 | 561 | 461 | 357 | 389 | — | 37 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | — | — | — |
— | — | 34 | 70 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | 26 | 10 | 33 | 77 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 4 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | — | — | SW 15 | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 5 | WSW 10 | SW 11 | SW 13 |
— | — | 3 | 790 | 884 | 2263 | 2509 | — | — | — | 2027 | 630 | — | — | — | — | 32 | 80 | 1478 | 1235 | 1650 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 726 | 717 | 717 | 717 | 32 | 32 | 353 | 506 | 505 | 505 | 738 | 138 | 116 | 7 | 0 | 160 | 540 | 726 |
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.










