Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, g’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at the coming swell window for Chinamans. This is a sensitive, advanced-level reef break that only really works with a solid SW groundswell. The good news is, there’s some real energy coming, but we’ve got to be patient and pick the right windows.

Right off the bat, Monday the 7th is a write-off. We’ve got some chest-high 4ft swell from the SW, but the morning is onshore with a light breeze, and the afternoon gets a cross-onshore wind that’ll chop it all up. The water is sitting at 60°, which is a touch warmer than the long-term average for this time of year. Not a big deal, but a notable little spike.

Tuesday the 8th morning is where it starts to get interesting. It’s the first real standout of the outlook. We’ve got a 7ft SW groundswell at a long 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy – and the wind goes glassy offshore. The combined wave energy is a solid 2622 – that’s strong. You get that long period at a reef like Chinamans and the sets will be clean, throwing, and well-shaped. Best on offer for this first week, no question. The afternoon gets a bit messy as the wind swings cross with a stronger breeze, so make the most of the morning.

Wednesday the 9th is for experts only – 10ft to 12ft SW swell and a fresh onshore breeze makes it a washing machine. Not surfable.

Thursday the 10th drops to 8ft, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy. Still messy.

Friday the 11th backs off to around 6ft, and the morning has a cross-shore wind that leaves slight chop. Better than the prior two days, but still only marginal.

Saturday the 12th is the second standout. Morning has a 5ft SW groundswell with a cross-offshore breeze from the NNE, and the afternoon sees it drop to 5ft but the wind stays clean and cross-off. The combined energy is moderate at 1105, but the wind will have the face of that reef looking like glass. For a softer, cruisy session with clean lines, that afternoon is a gem.

Sunday the 13th into Monday the 14th sees the swell shrink to 4ft-5ft. The wind does go offshore and clean, but the swell is small and weak. The combined energy on the 13th afternoon is only 635 – minimal. Not much to get excited about unless you’re on a log.

Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th see a pulse back up to 8ft-7ft, but the wind is cross-onshore and bumpy. Combined energy ramps up to 2032 and 2729, so there’s push, but the wind will shred the surface. Frustrating.

Thursday the 17th afternoon delivers a surprise – a 3ft clean, offshore swell with the wind straight out of the north. The combined energy is only 602, but the report says “expect very good surf conditions.” That little pulse with glassy wind will peel cleanly down the reef. Small, but perfect.

Now, for the second week, the big boys come calling. We get a full week gap of marginal or poor conditions from the 18th to the 21st of September. But hold onto your board – Saturday the 19th morning is a monster. 12ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period, combined energy reading 7347, and the wind is cross-offshore and clean. That is an expert-only, heavy, grinding reef setup. The afternoon stays clean with a 10ft, and the wind goes offshore at 6 mph. That is the best day of the whole outlook – for experienced surfers only.

Monday the 21st is the final standout. A 8ft SW groundswell with a ridiculous 22-second period – very long period groundswell. Combined energy is a massive 9146, so that’s a heavy, powerful, low-frequency swell. A light cross-onshore wind and a bit of rain might soften it up, but the energy in the water is staggering. Early morning that day could still offer some very thick, heavy sets before it gets too unruly on Tuesday.

Overall, if you’re experienced, hold out for Tuesday morning the 8th, then the stacked window of Saturday the 19th and Monday the 21st. That’s the cream of the crop. Crowds are sometimes a factor at this spot, so on those good mornings, you won’t be alone.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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