Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 22 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.5° C
0.3° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,130 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sun 26th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 28th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Most Powerful 9PM (Thu 23rd Jul)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

We’re kicking things off with a bit of a wait, I’m not gonna lie. The first solid recommendation doesn’t show up until Sunday the 26th, so the first few days of this window are a bit of a write-off. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, around 60°, so nothing weird there.

The standout session of the whole outlook, and the one I’d be circling on the calendar, is Tuesday, the 28th of July. That afternoon, the wind goes glassy at Chinamans, with a clean 6.6 ft swell rolling in from the SW. The period is a solid 15 seconds, so that’s a classic groundswell, with heaps of energy (1868). That’s a proper session for the experienced crew – it’s an advanced reef break, so you’ll want your wits about you. It’s too big for beginners, but for the rest of us, that’s the pick of the bunch.

Sunday the 26th offers a nice little warm-up. Morning sees a 4.6 ft SW swell with a light NW breeze, making it cross-off and clean. The wave energy is moderate (543), but it’s a good, clean option to ease into the week. Monday the 27th keeps the momentum with a moderate offshore wind from the NNW, and the swell sits around 4.6 ft to 4.9 ft, still clean and rideable. The energy picks up a touch (690 to 852).

After that Tuesday peak, things get a bit messy again. Wednesday the 29th is choppy onshore, and Thursday the 30th is a write-off with fresh onshore winds. Friday the 31st drops right off, with a tiny 2.3 ft to 3.0 ft swell, but it’s clean, so if you’re desperate for a longboard, you could. Then the first weekend of August comes in with some serious size. Saturday the 1st has a 5.9 ft to 6.2 ft SW swell, but the wind is cracking – 28 mph offshore on Saturday morning, which is strong enough to make it clean but a real mission to paddle into. By Sunday the 2nd, we’re looking at 8.2 ft SW swell, still clean, but it’s getting into expert territory.

Now, the real beast rolls in on Monday the 3rd of August. We’re talking a massive 11.5 ft SW swell, with a period of 20 seconds – that’s about as long as it gets. The wave energy is off the charts (10393). But the wind is a near gale at 31 mph. It’s clean, but that’s a big, heavy, powerful swell for the absolute best of the best. It’s too big for anyone but experts, and even then, it’s going to be a handful. The rest of that week drops off quickly, with a nice little finish on Thursday the 6th – a clean 3.9 ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period, and light winds. That’s a good one for the experienced surfer who wants a less chaotic session.

Overall, if you’re picking one day, it’s Tuesday the 28th of July – glassy, solid, and clean. The rest is a mix of waiting, wind, and a few wild, big days that are only for the brave.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon night, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
3
2
2
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
14
1.6
SW
12
2.4
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
15
2.4
SW
16
2.4
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.4
SW
13
1.5
SW
13
1.6
SW
15
1.8
SW
16
2
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
872
761
2449
2544
3026
2832
2590
1914
1236
1037
784
511
533
533
440
690
734
1135
1643
1715
1888
Wind (km/h)
25
SW
25
WSW
30
SSW
25
SSW
30
SSW
20
SSW
20
WSW
25
WSW
25
W
15
SW
15
WSW
10
SW
10
NW
15
WNW
15
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
20
N
15
NE
5
SSE
25
ESE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
High Tide
4:25PM0.58m
8:11AM0.76m
10:19AM0.78m
11:59AM0.84m
12:49PM0.90m
1:24PM0.96m
2:45AM0.37m
1:54PM1.01m
2:43AM0.41m
Low Tide
1:03PM0.53m
11:42PM0.22m
11:35PM0.23m
11:03PM0.24m
10:07PM0.23m
9:39PM0.22m
9:34PM0.20m
6:03AM0.32m
9:37PM0.19m
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:36
 mm
1
1
1
1
3
1
2
1
1
Temp °C
14
13
12
11
11
12
13
13
13
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
15
14
14
14
Feels °C
8
7
7
5
4
6
7
7
8
11
11
12
11
10
11
9
10
10
10
12
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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