Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.4° C
0.2° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,171 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 12AM (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 Monday (Jul 27) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Mon 27th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf12AM (Mon 27th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Most Powerful12AM (Fri 24th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Chinamans is the only break on the radar for this stretch, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag with a serious standout waiting at the end of the month. This reef setup is exposed to the SW, and with a 15-second period groundswell, those waves are going to have some real punch and shape, but they’ll be rolling in on long, widely spaced sets. The water’s sitting at 60°F, which is pretty average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We start off on Thursday, 23 July, and it’s a bit of a rough start. Afternoon sees a 8.2ft SW swell, but with a cross-on wind from the SSW at 15 mph, it’s choppy and messy with a combined energy of 3026 – that’s a lot of power, but the wind is just ruining it. Friday, 24 July, is a little better in the morning: 7.5ft SW swell, a cross wind from the WSW at 9 mph, and a combined energy of 2418, but it’s only marginal. The afternoon stays on the poor side.

Saturday, 25 July, and Sunday, 26 July, are nothing to write home about. Swell drops from 5.9ft down to 4.9ft, cross winds from the WSW keep things choppy, and the energy fades from 1049 down to 714. Just a bit of a lull there.

Then Monday, 27 July, things start to turn. Morning has a 4.6ft SW swell with an offshore wind from the NNW at 15 mph and a combined energy of 810. The wind is offshore, and that’s a major positive – it’ll be clean. The afternoon gets even better with the same offshore wind and energy climbing to 985, and the report says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s a nice little window, but the swell is still under 4.9ft, so it’s manageable for most.

Tuesday, 28 July, is a tricky one. The morning shows a 3.9ft SW swell with a cross-offshore wind from the W at 19 mph, a 17-second period, and a combined energy of 1797. That’s a long-period groundswell, so shape should be good, but the wind is a fresh breeze. By afternoon, the wind swings to the SSW at 19 mph, cross-onshore, and the swell jumps to 5.6ft, but it’s poor and lumpy.

Wednesday, 29 July, and Thursday, 30 July, slide back into mediocrity. The morning of the 30th has a 4.6ft SW swell with a light ENE breeze at 6 mph, but it’s cross-shore. The real treat is Thursday afternoon: a 4.3ft SW swell, a glassy wind from the NW at 3 mph, and a combined energy of 593. That’s small, but glassy conditions mean it’ll be silky smooth. Perfect for a longboard or a bit of fun on a reef.

Friday, 31 July, is a mixed bag. The morning has a tiny 2.6ft SW swell with a 20-second period – that’s a very long-period groundswell – and a cross-offshore wind from the WNW at 12 mph. The combined energy is 800, but it’s small. By afternoon, the swell jumps to 6.2ft with a 19-second period and a combined energy of 3380, but the wind is cross-onshore from the south at 12 mph, and it’s choppy and poor.

Now, the standout. Saturday, 1 August, is the one to circle on your calendar. Morning hits with a 9.8ft SW swell, a 16-second period, and a combined energy of 4498 – that’s serious power. The wind is a light offshore from the NNE at 6 mph, keeping it clean. The afternoon is even better, with the same 9.8ft swell, a glassy wind from the SSW at 3 mph, and a combined energy of 4881. Both sessions are rated as “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is a big swell, over 8.2ft

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon night, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sun night, fresh winds from the NNW by Mon night).

Thu
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
3
2
3
2
0
2
1
1
3
2
3
2
2
0
2
2
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
15
2.5
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.5
SW
12
1.5
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.4
SW
13
1.4
SW
13
1.4
SW
12
1.2
SW
17
1.7
SSW
16
2.4
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3026
3171
2418
1914
1325
1037
851
748
583
573
469
694
690
627
834
1373
2416
1688
1179
809
Wind (km/h)
25
SSW
20
SSW
15
WSW
25
WSW
25
W
20
WSW
25
WSW
20
SW
20
WSW
20
WSW
15
WNW
25
NNW
25
NNW
35
NNW
30
W
30
SSW
20
SSE
15
SE
15
SE
15
ESE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
10:19AM0.78m
11:59AM0.84m
12:49PM0.90m
1:24PM0.96m
2:45AM0.37m
1:54PM1.01m
2:43AM0.41m
2:20PM1.04m
2:54AM0.45m
Low Tide
11:35PM0.23m
11:03PM0.24m
10:07PM0.23m
9:39PM0.22m
9:34PM0.20m
6:03AM0.32m
9:37PM0.19m
6:55AM0.27m
9:44PM0.17m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:34
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:36
5:37
 mm
2
2
1
3
Temp °C
12
12
12
13
14
15
15
14
14
14
14
14
15
16
15
14
12
11
12
12
Feels °C
6
7
8
7
10
11
10
10
11
10
11
9
11
11
10
8
6
7
8
7
  • 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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