Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s comin’ for Chinamans. This is a reef setup that’s exposed to the SW, so it wants a solid south-west groundswell to get goin’. The water temp is sittin’ around 59.5°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year – nothin’ weird goin’ on there.

First proper surf on offer is Sunday afternoon September 6th. Swell’s 6.9 ft from the SW with a 14-second period – that’s a nice groundswell, plenty of energy (1762 combined). But the wind is WSW at 15 km/h, cross-shore, and the report says marginal with questionable tide. It’s not a total write-off for an advanced surfer, but it’s not the best.

Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th are pretty average. Wave heights drop to 4.3 ft on Monday with onshore and cross-on winds – not worth paddlin’ out for. Tuesday morning has a nice clean 6.9 ft SW swell with a long 17-second period, light SSE wind, but the report calls it marginal. The energy is massive though – 2622 – so there’s some push. By Tuesday afternoon the wind swings SW and picks up to 25 km/h, makin’ it choppy and messy.

Wednesday the 9th is a write-off. Swell bumps up to 9.8-11.5 ft from the SW with strong onshore SE winds at 30-35 km/h. That’s big, blown-out and dangerous – only for the crazy ones, and even then, it’s poor.

Thursday the 10th sees the swell drop back to 7.9-8.2 ft, still SW, with light ESE cross-on winds. The energy is still high (around 2867-3554). It’s marginal with small wind ripples – might be okay for a wave if you’re keen, but nothin’ special.

Friday the 11th: 5.9 ft SW swell, 15-second period, light ENE cross-shore wind. Energy’s moderate (1349). Still marginal. You could get a couple, but it’s not clean.

Now here’s a glimmer: Saturday the 12th. Swell drops to 3.6-4.9 ft SW, but the wind is NNE at 20-25 km/h, which is cross-offshore. That means clean, groomed waves. The energy is lower (829-1061), but if you want small, clean, rippable waves, this is your window. The report says “clean” – that’s good for a reef like this.

Sunday the 13th is the first real standout. Swell is 4.3 ft from the SW, 16-second period, and the wind is offshore – NNW at 15 km/h in the morning, then WNW cross-off in the arvo. The report says “expect very good surf conditions.” Energy is moderate (890-920). This is the best early call. Clean, offshore, long-period groundswell on a reef. Get out there early.

Monday the 14th is a mess – 5.9-6.2 ft SW swell with strong cross-on SW winds. Choppy, poor. Skip it.

Tuesday the 15th: swell picks up to 6.9-7.5 ft SW, light cross-on wind from E and SW. Energy is strong (1881-2601). Marginal with small wind ripples – might be okay for experienced surfers, but not a standout.

Wednesday the 16th: 5.2-5.9 ft SW, light cross-on then cross-off. The afternoon has NE wind at only 5 km/h, cross-off, and the report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” Energy moderate (1394-1446). That’s another good call for later in the period.

Now Thursday the 17th: this one’s a big one. Swell is 8.2 ft from the SW, 17-second period, with offshore N wind at 30 km/h in the morning. Energy is huge – 4043. The report says marginal but with “fresh offshore and clean.” That’s a powerful, clean groundswell – but 8.2 ft on a reef is expert territory. In the afternoon, wind swings NW and blows 40 km/h, so morning is the only window.

Friday the 18th: drop back to 4.6-5.2 ft SW, moderate cross-off winds. Clean, but small.

Then the real standout appears on Monday September 21st. Swell is 9.8 ft in the morning, then 11.5 ft in the afternoon from the SW, with an incredible 21-second period. Wind is light NNE at 10 km/h, cross-off, clean. Combined energy is 10929 – that’s exceptional. The report says “exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers” and scores it a 9. That is the best wave of the whole 16-day window. But it’s a beast – 11.5 ft, very long period, on a reef. Only for top-level surfers. Crowds at Chinamans can

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