Chinamans
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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)
- 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.
- Hair-raising takeoff over a sharp, shallow ledge.
- Shallow reef/rock bottom hazards.
- Shark activity reported.
- Access requires a long trek/isolated location.
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
Summer and early Autumn can see heavy rainfall and occasional cyclone swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- 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.
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.
Other spots in the area
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
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.
- 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.
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
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.