Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 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, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 4,895 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 9AM (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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s 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) 12s
Best Surf 3AM (Mon 27th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s
Most Powerful 6AM (Wed 29th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the coming weeks.

Right off the bat, we’re looking at a bit of a rough patch. The first few days are a write-off. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th are messy with solid 8ft to 7ft SW swells, but the wind is a cross-on or cross-shore mess, and the water is chopped up. That’s not surfable.

We do get a glimmer of hope on Sunday the 26th. The swell drops to a clean 4ft from the SW, and the wind goes light and offshore from the NW in the afternoon. The water temp is about 60°, which is normal for this time of year. That Sunday afternoon is looking like a real window for some clean, fun waves at Chinamans. It’s a reef setup, so that long period groundswell (11 to 12 seconds) will wrap in nicely, and the gentle offshore wind will make it glassy. Just keep in mind, it’s an advanced break and crowds can be an issue.

Monday the 27th is a write-off again. The swell is small but the wind is howling at 25 mph offshore, making it nearly impossible to paddle into.

Then we get a big, dangerous pulse of swell coming in around Tuesday the 30th. The 28th of July shows a 8ft to 8ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is a near gale or fresh onshore breeze. That’s a blown-out, dangerous mess. That kind of energy (3210 to 4665) is serious, but only for the most experienced if the wind co-operates, which it won’t.

The real standout, the one worth circling on the calendar, is Monday the 3rd of August. The swell is a solid 8ft from the SW with a long 16-second period, and the wind is a light, clean cross-offshore breeze from the WNW. The combined energy is pumping at 3193, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a proper groundswell hitting a reef, and it’s going to be clean and powerful. The water temp is still about average, so no worries there. This is the best session on offer.

Following that, Thursday the 6th of August brings another big pulse. The morning shows an 12ft SW swell with a 17-second period and massive energy (6485), but the wind is light cross-on. The afternoon, however, shapes up beautifully with a 10ft SW swell, 16-second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze. That afternoon is clean and powerful, but remember, 10ft is expert territory, especially at a reef.

The rest of the second week is a mixed bag of smaller, weaker swells or onshore winds. The 7th of August has a clean 6ft to 5ft swell, but the wind is a fresh to near gale cross-offshore, making it clean but very hard to paddle into.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is mostly a write-off except for Sunday the 26th. The true gold is Monday the 3rd of August, with a superb, clean, powerful groundswell. The 6th of August afternoon is a close second for the experts.

Stay safe, keep your eyes on the ocean, and don't force it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Tue afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sun morning, near gales from the SW by Tue afternoon).

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
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
14
2.5
SW
15
2.4
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.4
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
1.3
SW
11
1.2
SW
11
1.3
SW
13
1.4
SW
13
2.2
W
10
2.3
WSW
16
2.5
SW
16
3
SW
15
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
2.2
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2544
3026
2832
2418
1914
1325
1037
784
570
469
406
363
637
642
951
2663
3455
3197
4587
3135
1762
Wind (km/h)
25
SSW
25
SSW
15
SSW
20
WSW
25
WSW
25
W
15
SW
20
WSW
15
WSW
10
W
15
NW
25
NW
40
NNW
40
NW
30
W
40
W
55
SW
35
SSW
35
S
25
S
25
S
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
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
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
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
3
2
2
1
2
Temp °C
12
12
12
12
13
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
15
14
14
11
10
10
11
11
Feels °C
5
6
7
7
7
11
11
11
11
12
11
10
6
6
8
6
0
0
2
4
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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