Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming down the line for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, but it’s a mixed bag with some real standouts and a few days best left for the kites. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The action kicks off this Sunday afternoon, the 23rd of August, at Chinamans (a reef setup). We’re looking at a clean 6ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is pumping at 1787 (moderate to strong). A light cross-offshore breeze from the NNE will have it glassy. This is quality stuff for experienced surfers – that long period means proper lines, but on a reef break like this, it’ll be holding up nicely. It’s a fairly consistent spot, so expect some waves. Crowds are a possibility here, so get in early.

Monday the 24th drops off a bit. Morning has a cross-shore chop on a 4ft SW swell, and the afternoon is cleaner but smaller at 4ft. Nothing to write home about.

Tuesday the 25th is a write-off. Strong cross-onshore winds and a lumpy 8ft SW swell. The energy is massive at 4730, but the quality is cooked. This is more of a kite surfing day than a paddle day.

Wednesday the 26th is where it gets good again. Morning brings a clean 5ft SW groundswell (13 sec) with a light offshore from the N. The energy is moderate at 804, but with those offshore winds, it’ll be peeling nicely. The afternoon is even cleaner with a gentle offshore from the NNW, dropping to 4ft. This is a top pick for the week.

Thursday the 27th morning stays clean with a moderate offshore wind on a 4ft SW swell. The afternoon sees the period jump way up to 20 seconds with a 5ft swell, but it’s a cross-offshore breeze. The energy is solid at 2130, and that period is incredibly long. That’s a caveat for a beach break, but at a reef like Chinamans, it’ll be a thing of beauty.

Friday the 28th is another standout. The afternoon session is the best of the day: a clean 6ft SW swell with a 16-second period, cross-offshore breeze, and energy at 1787. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The morning is similar but slightly bigger at 7ft and also clean.

The weekend of the 29th and 30th is a bit of a downer. Light cross-onshore winds and a building swell – the energy is still there (2401 on Sunday morning), but the wind is on it, making it marginal.

Now, we jump into the following week. Monday the 31st of August is a beauty. Morning has a clean 7ft SW swell (16 sec) with a light cross-offshore breeze. The afternoon is glassy with a light offshore from the NNW and a 6ft swell. Both sessions are rated excellent for experienced surfers.

Tuesday the 1st of September keeps the clean run going with a moderate offshore wind on a 6ft SW swell in the morning. The energy is still strong at 1262. Wednesday the 2nd is smaller but still clean with offshore winds.

Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are a bit of a mixed bag. Thursday is small and clean, but the real event is Friday afternoon. A massive 10ft SW swell on a 16-second period, with energy exploding at 5432. The wind is a fresh cross-offshore, keeping it clean. This is expert territory only – 10ft is big, and the power is extreme. The morning is also big at 8ft with a fresh offshore, but the afternoon is the giant.

Saturday the 5th of September gets messy. A strong cross-shore wind on an 8ft SW swell – the energy is high at 4368, but the chop will make it a mess. Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th are a write-off with gale-force winds. The swell is small and windblown, producing very poor conditions. The period drops to 7 seconds on Monday, which is just wind slop. There’s a two-day gap of no good surf here.

The best session on offer? It’s a tight call between Sunday the 23rd, Friday the 28th afternoon, Monday the 31st, and Friday the 4th of September afternoon. For the overall quality, wave size, and clean conditions, I’m calling Monday the 31st of August as the top pick. A clean 7ft SW groundswell, light winds, and that 16-second period will have Chinamans firing with proper lines.

Rusty.

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