Chinamans

Surfing
Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Expert
Skill Level
Swell, Ocean
Spot Type
10–20 kts
Wind Range

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Chinamans is an exposed surfing location centered on a hazardous reef environment, known for powerful, consistent surf when the swell and wind align. Spot-level descriptions emphasize a sharp, shallow ledge and a hair-raising takeoff, making it a serious surf for experienced riders. Across the provided information, the wave is generally described as reef/point-style with strong left-hand character (one source specifies an exposed left-hand reef break). Another description also notes right-hand point/beach transition characteristics on large south swells, highlighting that the spot’s shape and best direction can vary with conditions. Wind is most favorable from the southwest, reported as the best/offshore direction for cleaner, better-shaped faces. The most commonly highlighted month for favorable conditions is April, and wind statistics are summarized as a mix where “clean” and “small” occurrences are present, with a meaningful portion of “blown” conditions. Safety warnings are a consistent priority: sharks are repeatedly flagged as a key risk, and the combination of shallow rocky structure, isolation, and strong currents during larger swells increases the need for solid confidence and conservative decisions. It’s also described as reachable only via a long trek and/or park walking/track access, with no lifeguards reported—so self-reliance and careful planning are essential.

  • Exposed, powerful, and consistent surf in the 1–3 m range
  • Offshore-friendly southwest winds for grooming cleaner faces
  • Serious hazards (shallow rocky ledge and shark activity)
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Powerful, consistent surf in the 1–3 m range when conditions align.
  • Reported excellent wave quality.
  • Southwest winds can be offshore and help groom cleaner faces.
Heads up
  • Hair-raising takeoff over a sharp, shallow ledge.
  • Shallow reef/rock bottom hazards.
  • Shark activity reported.
  • Access requires a long trek/isolated location.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
SW
Offshore directions
SW
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Gradient — Spot-level data describes winds as a gradient; regionally the wider area has seasonal wind patterns with frontal systems and thermal sea-breeze tendencies.
Reliability
moderate
Gust Factor
Light gusts — Provider reports light gusting.
Best Months
April
Shadow Zones
The southern headland can provide some shelter from southerly winds.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell, Ocean
Beach
Reef — Conflicting composition reports: reef is emphasized for the breaking zone, while another report describes sand composition with rocks near the headland.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Huge — Very large/huge surf described for reef conditions.
Launch
Small — Access involves reaching the break; one description mentions sandy beach access near headland with rocks nearby.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Moderate launch/access difficulty reported, but spot-specific safety notes emphasize a long trek and hazardous takeoff.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
19–25 °C
Water Temperature
10–28 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jun, Jul, Aug: 3/2mm
Storm/Rain Season

Summer and early Autumn can see heavy rainfall and occasional cyclone swells.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

An exposed reef break with a sharp, shallow ledge and hair-raising takeoff. Produces powerful, consistent surf in a 1–3 m swell range; skill requirements are high due to shallow rocky hazards. Works with south swells for longer, fast walls.

Reef breakBeach break
Wave Direction
Left
Optimal Swell
NNE, NE
Swell Height
1–3 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Reported as best around a rising mid-tide.
Shelter
Exposed — Open/exposed headland context; one report also notes semi-sheltered characteristics at times depending on conditions.
Wind Effect
Southwest winds are best/offshore and help groom cleaner faces.
Bigger Swell
Holds 1–3 m swells powerfully; handles large swells well and can turn into long, fast point-type walls when conditions align.
Wave Quality
Excellent — Excellent wave quality reported.
Wave Power
Very powerful — Very powerful surf reported for the expert reef character.
Wave Shape
Mixed — Reported as mixed; another description notes peeling walls during larger south swells.
Peel Speed
Fast — Fast peeling action reported.
Ride Length
Long — On its day can connect from point into beach for very long rides.
Typical Ride Length
150–300 m
Ride Length Details
Rides can run for hundreds of meters when the point is working.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Chinamans in the full forecast view.

Chinamans wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
4–13 ktsGusts 26 kts
Direction
NE54°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2513 kts
Windy days
1/712 kts or more
Waves
1.1–2.0 m7s period
Temperature
16–32 °C

Over the next 7 days, Chinamans is forecast for daytime winds of 4–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.1–2.0 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • sharks
  • shallow ledge
  • sharp rock bottom
  • shallow reef/rocks
  • strong rip currents especially during larger swells
  • isolation
Ability Level: Expert
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestLeashWetsuit

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards reported for this area.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — Spot-level rescue availability reported as no.
Emergency Info
Nearest hospital is in Ballina; emergency services can be reached via 000.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Reported as moderate localism.

Rules of the spot

Located within Bundjalung National Park; park regulations apply regarding vehicle access and camping.

Restrictions
  • No camping on the beach.
  • National Park entry fees may apply.
  • Access may require walking track or 4WD tracks if currently permitted by National Parks.
Local Tips
  • Hair-raising takeoff requires confidence.
  • Long trek out to access the remote break.
  • Surfers commonly advise going with others due to frequent shark activity.
  • Best surfed on a rising mid-tide with a solid south swell.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Lismore
Nearest Town
End of Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Nearest Airport
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) ~45 km north
Parking
Parking is available at the end of the access road within Bundjalung National Park.
Access
Long trek out to the end of Yorke Peninsula; access can be via a walking track from the parking area at Chinamans Beach or via 4WD tracks if currently permitted by National Parks.
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Picnic area
Accommodation
Nearby town — Camping is available within the national park (and caravan parks in the nearby town).
Food & Drink
None at the beach; full services available in Evans Head.
Equipment Rental:
No rentals on site; check shops in nearby towns.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Chinamans?

The best overall months at Chinamans are April, May, June. The best wind months are April.

Which wind directions work at Chinamans?

Chinamans works with SW winds. Offshore directions are SW.

What skill level is Chinamans suitable for?

Chinamans suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.