Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 24 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.4° 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 24 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 3,331 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s 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 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Sun 26th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 31st Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 15s
Most Powerful 9AM (Tue 28th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. This is the outlook for the next couple of weeks.

We’re looking at a solid run of swell for Chinamans, a deep-water reef break that really needs the right conditions to shine. The water’s sitting at 60°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off. Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th have some decent size – 7ft to 5ft – but the wind is all over the place, mostly cross-shore, and the wave quality is just marginal. You’re looking at a lumpy, choppy mess. Not worth suiting up for.

Sunday the 26th is where we start to see a glimmer. The swell drops to 4ft but the wind swings light and favourable, with a clean look on the cards. By Sunday afternoon, we’ve got a gentle offshore from the NW, which is perfect for this spot. The wave energy is moderate (461), but the quality is there.

Monday the 27th is a bit of a strange one. The morning has a strong offshore breeze at 45 km/h (28 mph), which will keep the surface clean, but it’s going to be a real battle to paddle out. The swell is 4ft but with a short period of 8 seconds, so the waves won’t have much grunt. The afternoon gets bigger, up to 8ft, but the wind is strong and cross-off, making it a bit of a handful.

Tuesday the 28th is a step up in size, with 8ft to 7ft of swell, but the wind is a fresh cross-shore, creating a lumpy cross-chop. The wave energy is very strong (4996), but it’s not the most user-friendly. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session.

Wednesday the 29th is still on the big side, with 8ft to 8ft, but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, which is a no-go for clean waves.

Now, Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are where it gets interesting. The swell drops to 5ft to 4ft, but the wind turns light and offshore or glassy. Friday afternoon is the real standout here: glassy conditions, 4ft of swell, and a very long 19-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, and it’s going to wrap beautifully into the reef. The wave energy is strong (1635), and the quality is excellent for experienced surfers. This is the best window of the first week.

Saturday the 1st of August keeps the good run going, with a gentle offshore and 5ft of swell from the SW. The wave energy is moderate (1141), but the wind is clean, making for long, peeling waves.

Sunday the 2nd of August brings a bigger pulse, with 8ft of swell and a 17-second period. The wind is a moderate cross-off, so the surface will be clean, but the size is getting up there. This is for the more experienced crew.

The middle of the week, from the 3rd to the 5th of August, is a bit mixed. There’s some wind and size, but nothing that really stands out. The 5th does have a nice afternoon session with 6ft and a clean cross-off wind, but it’s not the best of the bunch.

Now, the real highlight of the entire forecast is the 6th of August. Thursday morning has 7ft of swell with an incredible 22-second period, and a moderate offshore wind. The wave energy is massive (7119). By the afternoon, it’s 12ft with a 21-second period, a fresh offshore wind, and wave energy through the roof (10859). This is a serious swell for experts only. The reef will be absolutely pumping, but it’s going to be a big, powerful, and dangerous session. This is the best on offer, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on the forecasts.

The 7th and 8th of August see the swell holding at 12ft to 10ft, but the wind gets too strong, with near-gale conditions on the 7th. It’s not worth it. The 8th is a bit more manageable, but still fresh.

All up, the standout windows are the glassy Friday the 31st of July, and the massive, expert-only session on the 6th of August. Everything else is either a bit too windy, too lumpy, or too big for the average surfer.

This is Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sun morning, strong winds from the NW by Mon afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon night, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Mon night, light winds from the SSE by Wed night).

Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
0
2
4
2
0
2
2
3
2
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
SW
14
1.7
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.5
SW
12
1.3
SW
11
1.3
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1.4
SW
13
2.3
W
10
2.5
WSW
12
3
WSW
15
2.2
SW
14
2.4
SW
14
2.5
SW
15
2.3
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.4
SW
13
1.1
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1325
961
851
614
461
427
338
651
1017
1753
3331
1956
2358
2684
2114
1197
821
701
471
Wind (km/h)
25
W
20
SW
25
WSW
15
SW
10
W
15
NW
25
NNW
35
NNW
45
NW
35
W
30
SW
30
SW
20
S
15
S
15
SSW
5
SSE
10
S
15
SW
10
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
11:59AM0.84m
12:49PM0.90m
1:24PM0.96m
2:45AM0.37m
1:54PM1.01m
2:43AM0.41m
2:20PM1.04m
2:54AM0.45m
2:44PM1.05m
3:10AM0.51m
Low Tide
11:03PM0.24m
10:07PM0.23m
9:39PM0.22m
9:34PM0.20m
6:03AM0.32m
9:37PM0.19m
6:55AM0.27m
9:44PM0.17m
7:35AM0.24m
9:54PM0.16m
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:36
5:37
5:37
 mm
2
1
1
1
Temp °C
14
14
15
14
14
14
14
15
16
14
13
13
12
12
12
11
12
12
12
Feels °C
9
10
11
10
12
11
11
6
6
6
6
7
5
9
8
7
9
8
8
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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