Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. This is a classic Chinamans reef setup, and we’ve got a solid run of swell headed our way, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The water temperature is sitting at 59°, which is dead average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The action starts around Thursday morning, August 20th, with a solid 6ft southwest groundswell, but it’s got a cross-off wind holding it together. The combined energy is strong (2268), and the period is a very long 16 seconds, so there’s plenty of punch. Things get a bit lumpy in the afternoon as the wind swings cross-shore, but the swell ticks up to 7ft. Friday to Saturday morning, August 21st and 22nd, the swell holds steady around 7ft to 8ft, but the wind stays cross or cross-off, so it’s not glassy. The energy remains moderate to strong (2553 and 2637).

Now, Sunday, August 23rd, is where things get interesting. The morning brings a nice cross-off from the north-northeast, and the swell is a clean 7ft from the southwest with a 17-second period. The energy is strong (2414). The afternoon is a standout: an offshore wind from the north-northwest, swell at 6ft, and the energy is still solid (1809). For experienced surfers, this is the best window in the near term. The break is a reef, so the long period groundswell (17 seconds) will wrap in nicely, giving you clean, well-shaped waves. Crowds are sometimes an issue, but it’s worth it.

After Sunday, the swell drops off quickly. Monday morning, August 24th, sees a 4ft swell with light cross-off winds and weak energy (573). It’s clean but small. The rest of the week into early September is a mixed bag. A few decent windows pop up: Wednesday, August 26th, has a 4ft swell with a light offshore, and then Thursday, August 27th, pushes 6ft with a fresh offshore, but the swell is a bit shorter period (15 seconds). The energy is strong (2090) and it’s clean.

The real standout in the second week is looking like Friday, September 4th. The morning is clean with a 4ft southwest swell, but the afternoon is the one to watch: 6ft from the southwest, a long 18-second period, and light offshore winds. The combined energy is strong (2267). That’s a late-season gem for experienced surfers, though it’s a week and a half out, so keep an eye on it.

Overall, Chinamans is fairly consistent through this window, but the best surf is definitely from Sunday, August 23rd, and then again on Friday, September 4th. The period is long, so expect clean lines and a bit of a paddle between sets. The reef holds up well, especially with the southwest swell direction matching the optimum.

Rusty.

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