Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Issued: 2 pm 06 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.7° C

Normal for this time of year

Chinamans surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Chinamans surf forecast from 6 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 7,176 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 17s 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Wed 8th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 17s
Best Surf12PM (Wed 8th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 17s
Most Powerful12PM (Mon 13th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming up for Chinamans.

The next couple of days are a bit of a write-off, honestly. We’ve got a slow start with the surf, some weak energy and messy wind. But hang in there, because from Thursday July 9th, the whole picture changes. That’s where the real gold is, and it sets up a long run of clean, solid surf at this exposed reef.

The first standout is Thursday July 9th. The swell settles into a beautiful 5 ft from the SW with a long 15-second period. That’s proper groundswell. The wind goes offshore from the NNW, and the water is clean. Combined swell energy is moderate at 1381. It’s an advanced wave, so only for the experienced – this is excellent surf. The water temp is 60°, pretty much average for this time of year, so nothing weird going on there.

That run continues into Friday July 10th with more offshore NNW wind. The swell bumps up to 6 ft, still SW, and the period holds at 16 seconds. Combined energy stays moderate at 1374. Clean, punchy, and super fun. Saturday July 11th and Sunday July 12th get a bit bigger and windier – Saturday morning sees 7 ft WSW from a 14-second period, but with a strong 25 mph cross-off wind, it’s clean but getting into expert territory. Sunday gets chunky at 10 ft, but the wind cranks up to 28 mph, making it a battle. Smaller crew only.

Then from Monday July 13th to Thursday July 16th, we’re back in the zone. Monday afternoon is massive: 12 ft SW swell with a 17-second period and combined energy hitting 10170 – that’s strong to very strong, but the wind is cross-shore and manageable at 16 mph. The quality is still rated excellent for experienced surfers. This is big, powerful reef break. Wednesday July 15th afternoon offers a rare treat: glassy conditions with 6 ft SW at 14 seconds. Low wind, clean faces, and a solid 1393 energy. That’s the kind of session you remember.

The absolute pick of the entire outlook? I’d point you to Thursday July 9th and Wednesday July 15th. Thursday July 9th has the offshore wind and clean lines, while Wednesday July 15th afternoon is glassy, top-to-bottom, and just magic. Both are advanced breaks, and with crowds listed as “sometimes”, you might have some company. If you miss the window, Thursday July 16th afternoon has clean offshore winds again with 6 ft SW.

Later in the second week, around July 18th and 19th, the swell stays big, but the wind becomes a problem – 28 mph and up – making it more of a windsurfing or kite show than a surfing one. Watch out for the 20th and 21st; it’s messy and onshore again.

All in all, this is a classic reef run. Consistent, powerful, and long-period. If you can pick the right day and the right tide, you’ll get waves.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Mon afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu afternoon, strong winds from the W by Sun morning).

Mon
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
1
1
0
2
1
0
0
5
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
1.3
SW
16
1.5
SW
16
1.3
SW
18
2.4
SW
18
2.1
SW
16
1.8
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
1.4
SW
15
1.9
SW
16
1.7
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.3
SW
14
2.2
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
8
2.5
SW
12
3
SW
13
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
463
284
886
1055
1112
3483
2355
1664
844
847
1787
1374
1154
736
1949
875
1678
2693
5231
5450
6236
Wind (km/h)
15
E
25
E
25
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
15
ENE
10
ENE
15
NE
10
N
15
NNW
20
N
25
NNW
25
NW
30
NW
40
W
35
SW
30
W
45
W
45
WSW
40
WSW
30
SW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
4:48PM0.86m
5:55AM0.65m
5:03PM0.75m
6:51AM0.71m
5:04PM0.64m
8:06AM0.78m
9:43AM0.87m
11:10AM0.97m
12:14PM1.07m
1:22AM0.26m
Low Tide
11:42PM0.26m
11:07AM0.44m
11:54PM0.26m
12:23PM0.52m
00:07AM0.25m
00:21AM0.23m
00:38AM0.23m
1:01AM0.23m
9:31PM0.21m
3:57AM0.24m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:25
 mm
2
2
5
1
1
1
Temp °C
11
13
13
14
13
14
14
14
14
14
13
13
14
14
14
13
14
15
14
13
14
Feels °C
8
8
9
10
8
11
11
11
12
11
9
8
10
9
6
5
7
7
5
4
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
1.3
SW
16
1.5
SW
16
1.3
SW
18
2.4
SW
18
2.1
SW
16
1.8
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
1.4
SW
15
1.9
SW
16
1.7
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.3
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.1
SW
26
0.1
SW
24
0.3
SW
21
0.9
SW
20
Energy kJ
463
284
886
1055
1112
3483
2355
1664
844
847
1787
1374
1154
736
331
26
22
72
634
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
18
1.3
SW
14
0.5
SW
19
0.9
SW
18
0.9
SW
19
Energy kJ
249
668
181
534
627
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
22
0.1
SW
20
0.4
NE
4
Energy kJ
476
15
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
E
3
0.5
E
3
0.6
ENE
4
0.5
E
4
0.6
ENE
4
0.5
NE
3
0.5
NE
4
0.7
N
4
0.7
NW
4
1.2
WNW
5
2.2
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
8
2.5
SW
12
3
SW
13
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
16
Energy kJ
1
5
12
8
10
5
7
16
20
69
1949
875
1678
2693
5231
5450
6236
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
1
3
3
4
1
1
1
9
Distance (km)
3
13
3
13
3
3
3
0
0
0
81
0
0
74
728
729
540
1034
1189
1240
745
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
7
8
7
5
5
7
7
5
4
5
5
5
4
4
3
4
5
4
2
9
9
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
8
7
5
6
5
8
5
5
5
5
5
9
8
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
How to use the Wavefinder 
submit an eyeball surf report

Quick surf report for Chinamans:

join our community of surf reporters

FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website

The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Chinamans surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.


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.

Nearest locationNearest