Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.6° 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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,483 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s 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 19) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be 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 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Sun 19th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 18s
Best Surf12AM (Mon 20th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 16s
Most Powerful 3PM (Thu 23rd Jul)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, grab your spring suit, here’s the read for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way, but there’s definitely some good ones to lock in. The opening run is looking clean, with a solid pulse of south-west groundswell and those offshore northerlies doing the business. Water temp is sitting at 60°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Kicking off Sunday, July 19th, Chinamans is the place to be. It’s a reef setup, so you’ll want your wits about you, but it’s fairly consistent. Sunday morning sees a 3 ft south-west swell, a 12-second period, and a clean 12 mph offshore breeze. The energy is moderate (398). By the afternoon, the period jumps to 18 seconds and the energy bumps up to 667, making it even better. The wind stays offshore, and the water will be glassy. This is a standout.

Monday, July 20th, keeps the run going. Morning is 4 ft south-west with a 15-second period, offshore wind, and energy at 714. Monday afternoon gets even better: 5 ft, 15 seconds, and the wind drops to 9 mph offshore. The energy hits 1045, which is a solid wall of power. This is excellent for experienced surfers. Tuesday, July 21st, holds similar size and direction, with a light offshore in the morning and a cross-offshore in the afternoon. Still clean, still good.

We hit a rough patch from Wednesday, July 22nd, through to Friday, July 31st. The wind swings onshore or cross-shore, and the swell gets messy or just too big with poor conditions. Wednesday is a write-off with strong wind and rain. Thursday and Friday have swell over 8 ft, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy – that’s for experts only, and even then, it’s not pretty. The energy values are huge (4477 to 5160), but the wind kills it. From July 28th to July 31st, it’s all poor, with strong winds and lumpy seas. This is a long gap of no good surf, about a week of nothing to write home about.

Then, we get a little glimmer. Saturday, August 1st, the wind goes glassy in the morning. Swell is a small 3 ft, but with a 17-second period from the south-west, and energy at 455. It’s a clean, small day for a longboard or a fish. Not a standout, but a nice break from the crap.

Sunday, August 2nd, sees a jump in size: 7 ft in the morning, 10 ft in the afternoon, both from the west-south-west. The wind is cross-onshore, but fairly light. The energy is strong (1483 to 3908). It’s a bit lumpy, but passable for a keen surfer.

Monday, August 3rd, is the end of the forecast. You’ve got a 10 ft south-west swell with a 17-second period, light cross-onshore wind, and huge energy (4777). The period is long, so this will be a proper groundswell. It’s a bit big for the average punter, but for the experienced crew, it’s got potential. The wind is light, so there’s a chance it cleans up. It’s a promising end to the window, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it.

Best on offer: Sunday, July 19th afternoon, and Monday, July 20th afternoon at Chinamans. Clean, solid, and offshore.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 10°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
4
3
4
4
3
3
1
1
0
2
0
0
2
3
2
1
2
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
12
0.9
SW
18
1.4
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.5
SW
13
1.2
SW
12
1.8
SW
14
1.9
SW
12
2.5
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
1.9
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
212
522
940
714
1045
1307
821
688
409
1218
1100
3093
3009
3483
2553
1889
1484
1398
1067
1050
811
Wind (km/h)
20
N
20
N
15
N
20
NNW
15
NNW
15
N
15
NNW
10
WNW
20
NW
35
SW
30
SSW
25
SW
20
S
20
SSW
20
SW
25
W
30
W
30
WSW
25
WSW
25
SW
10
SSE
Wind State
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
on
High Tide
4:36PM0.90m
5:25AM0.72m
4:53PM0.77m
6:08AM0.75m
4:58PM0.66m
6:59AM0.76m
4:25PM0.58m
8:11AM0.76m
10:19AM0.78m
11:59AM0.84m
Low Tide
10:13AM0.27m
11:14PM0.19m
10:59AM0.36m
11:28PM0.20m
11:50AM0.45m
11:38PM0.21m
1:03PM0.53m
11:42PM0.22m
11:35PM0.23m
11:03PM0.24m
10:07PM0.23m
cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:34
 mm
1
1
1
1
2
1
Temp °C
13
14
16
14
15
15
14
14
15
13
12
12
11
11
12
12
12
14
14
14
13
Feels °C
8
9
11
9
12
12
11
11
11
6
5
5
5
5
7
6
5
9
10
9
10
  • 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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