
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 3AM (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 3,415 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 20s. 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 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (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
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s look at what’s coming up for Chinamans. This is a reef break that takes a SW swell, and it’s fairly consistent, so there’s plenty to work with over the next couple of weeks.
The pattern kicks off with some solid, clean waves. Sunday the 19th has a nice 3ft SW swell rolling in, with a 12-second period and a moderate offshore N wind. The combined energy is moderate at 398, and it’s looking clean and fun. By Sunday afternoon, the period stretches to 18 seconds, energy jumps to 683, and the wind stays offshore – this is a standout for the week. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Monday the 20th builds nicely. Morning brings 4ft SW swell at 15 seconds, energy at 714, and offshore NNW wind. The afternoon is the real gem: 5ft SW swell, 15-second period, and a gentle offshore NW wind, giving you clean, lined-up waves. This is expert-level as the swell is over 5ft, but the quality is top-notch.
Tuesday the 21st stays good: 5ft SW swell in the morning, 13-second period, light offshore NW wind, energy at 821. The afternoon drops to 5ft with a cross-offshore wind, but still clean. It’s a solid run.
Wednesday the 22nd gets messy. The swell jumps to 6ft, but the wind swings onshore from the SW, hitting 35 km/h, and the energy is high at 1748 – but with lumpy cross-chop, it’s a write-off for paddling. This setup would be more interesting for kite surfing.
Thursday the 23rd is poor: 8ft SW swell, but cross-onshore winds from the S and SSW, energy up to 3415, and choppy conditions. Leave it.
Friday the 24th improves a little – 6ft SW swell, cross-offshore wind, clean but the quality is just okay. The energy is moderate at 1382.
Saturday the 25th is a return to form: 6ft morning, 5ft afternoon, both with offshore winds from the NNW and NW, clean and well-shaped. The energy is moderate, and this is another good day for experienced surfers.
Sunday the 26th has a fresh offshore breeze (30 km/h) and 4ft to 5ft SW swell, but the energy drops and the conditions are a bit marginal. The wind makes it clean but hard to paddle into.
Moving into the next week, Monday the 27th brings a big 10ft SW swell, but the wind is strong offshore at 45 km/h, making it clean but nearly impossible to paddle into. That’s expert-only, and even then, it’s tricky.
Tuesday the 28th stays big at 10ft and 8ft, with strong cross-offshore winds, but the energy is very high (3425). It’s clean but heavy.
The rest of the week from Wednesday the 29th to Friday the 31st is mostly blown out or choppy, with onshore winds and poor conditions. There’s a little glimmer on Friday afternoon, the 31st, when the wind goes glassy, and you get a tiny 3ft SW swell – small but clean.
The best bet? Hit Monday afternoon the 20th and Saturday the 25th – those are your standouts with clean, solid waves and offshore winds.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Wed morning, light winds from the WSW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
277 | 212 | 522 | 823 | 714 | 1045 | 1307 | 821 | 619 | 361 | 1233 | 954 | 2172 | 2474 | 3415 | 2520 | 1382 | 1344 | 1378 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:45AM0.67m | 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 | |||||||||
Low Tide | 10:57PM0.18m | 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 | ||||||||
— | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
277 | 212 | 522 | 823 | 714 | 1045 | 1307 | 821 | 619 | 361 | 444 | 110 | 2172 | 2474 | 3415 | 2520 | 1382 | 1344 | 1378 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SW 20 | WSW 12 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
7 | 186 | 161 | 51 | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | 71 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
18 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 3 | N 4 | N 4 | NW 7 | N 4 | — | — | — | — | W 4 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
2 | 6 | 6 | 41 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 25 | 1233 | 954 | 1919 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 726 | 738 | 728 | 32 | 46 | 7 | 7 | 32 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










