Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a 16-day window, and I’ll tell you right now, this one is a game of patience. The first few days are a write-off, but there’s a couple of serious sessions brewing if you’re willing to wait.

The first real shot at some decent waves comes on Thursday 6th August. It’s a bit of a limp start, though. Chinamans has a 5ft SW swell running, but it’s coming from the wrong side with a light cross-on breeze. The water is 59°F, which is normal for this time of year. The energy is sitting at 1380, which is moderate, but the conditions are just marginal. Not worth rushing for.

Friday 7th August is a tease. The swell jumps up to 8ft from the SW, but the wind howls offshore at 19 mph. The energy is strong (2475), but it’s a fresh breeze, and while it’s clean, it’s hard work. The morning and afternoon both have that same issue. It’s a no-go for me.

Saturday 8th August is similar. The swell drops to 6ft, but the wind is still pumping offshore at 16 mph. Clean faces, but it’s a battle. Energy is moderate (1613). You’d be fighting the wind more than the wave.

Now, Sunday 9th August is a full-blown skip. Solid 8ft to 10ft SW swell, but the wind swings into a strong cross-shore at 28 mph. The energy is huge (4090 to 6305), but it’s a messy, churned-up mess. Not for paddling. This setup looks way more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Alright, here’s where things get interesting. Monday 10th August is the standout. This is the one. The swell is 12ft from the SW, and the period is a solid 17 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The energy is massive (10985), and the wind is a moderate cross-off at 16 mph, keeping it clean. This is a big day for Chinamans (reef break). 12ft is expert territory, so only the experienced crew should be looking at this. It’s a reef break, so that long period will handle itself well. The morning is the best of the best, with the afternoon dropping to 10ft but still good.

Tuesday 11th August is a letdown. The swell drops to 6ft, but the wind is a strong offshore at 28 mph. It’s clean, but it’s nearly impossible to paddle into. The energy is moderate (1750). Hard pass.

Wednesday 12th August is another day to sit out. The swell is back up to 12ft, but the wind is a near gale at 37 mph, creating a horrible cross-chop. Energy is insane (7141 to 8920), but it’s a complete washout. Another kite day.

Thursday 13th August and Friday 14th August are both marginal. The swell is 10ft to 8ft, but the wind is cross-off or cross-on, creating chop. The energy is moderate (5799), but the quality is poor. Not worth it.

Saturday 15th August is a little better. 7ft to 8ft SW swell, with light winds. The energy is moderate (2516). It’s not epic, but it’s a step up from the last few days.

Sunday 16th August through to Tuesday 18th August sees the swell dropping away. 4ft to 6ft, with light winds. The energy is weak (under 1000). The waves are small, clean, but not really surfable. A good time to rest.

The next real opportunity is Wednesday 19th August and Thursday 20th August. The swell builds back to 6ft to 8ft from the SW. The wind is offshore or cross-off at 12-22 mph. The energy is moderate (1901 to 3515). The Thursday afternoon is the best of this run, with a 8ft swell, 17-second period, and a fresh offshore wind. It’s clean, and the energy is strong. This is a solid session for experienced surfers. The break is Chinamans, and it’s a reef, so that long period will work well. It’s a fairly consistent spot, but it can get crowded at times, so keep that in mind.

Friday 21st August is the last day. The swell is 7ft, but the wind is a fresh cross-off at 22 mph. It’s clean, but the energy is dropping (2038). A decent last session, but not a standout.

So, to sum it up: The absolute best on offer is Monday 10th August morning. Big, clean, powerful swell. Expert only. The secondary highlight is Thursday 20th August afternoon. Still a good, clean, solid swell. The rest of the window is a mix of wind, chop, and small waves. Don’t get your hopes up for the early days.

Rusty.

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