Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 28 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
14.8°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 28 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 19s period, SW swell with 3,199 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 18s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 14s. 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 2.1m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Mon 31st Aug)7ft (2.2m) 18s
Best Surf12PM (Mon 31st Aug)7ft (2.2m) 18s
Most Powerful 9AM (Mon 31st Aug)7ft (2.1m) 19s

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 Chinamans.

The next couple of weeks are a mixed bag, but there's a couple of proper sessions to get excited about. Right now, the water is sitting at 59°F which is pretty much what you'd expect for this time of year.

Friday the 28th of August is a bit of a write-off. We've got a solid 7ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at 1943 (moderate), but it's a bit messy with a cross-shore breeze. The quality just isn't there for a good paddle.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are even worse. The swell drops back, but the wind is cross-onshore, making for choppy, poor surf. You'll be fighting it all day, not worth the effort.

The first real standout comes on Monday the 31st of August. The morning sees a 7ft SW swell with a 19-second period, and the energy is strong at 3679. The wind is light and cross-off, keeping it clean. The afternoon is the pick though – the wind swings offshore from the N at 9 mph, and you've got a solid 7ft SW swell. The report says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That's the one to aim for.

Tuesday the 1st of September is a no-go. That 25 mph NNW offshore wind is howling, making it a real mission to paddle out. The waves are there but the wind is too strong.

Wednesday the 2nd of September morning is a solid choice. Clean 6ft SW swell and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The wind is light and cross-off, so you'll get some nice lines.

Now, if you're an expert, circle Friday the 4th of September. The afternoon session has a 8ft SW swell with a 15-second period, and the energy is 2746 (strong). The wind is a clean offshore from the NW. That's a proper, powerful wave.

The weekend of the 5th and 6th of September gets big and windy. Saturday morning has a 12ft WSW swell, but it's accompanied by rain showers and a 22 mph offshore wind. That's a gnarly, expert-only zone. The afternoon is even worse with a 34 mph wind. Sunday is all wind and chop with a 10ft swell. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The first half of the following week, the 7th and 8th of September, is mostly junk with strong onshore winds. Keep your board in the car.

The next true standout is way out there, on Friday the 11th of September. The morning has a clean 8ft SW swell with a long 18-second period, and a light offshore wind from the NNW. The energy is 3232 (strong). The afternoon is just as good, with a 7ft SW swell and a gentle offshore. That's a beautiful, long-range groundswell that will be a dream at a reef like this.

Saturday the 12th of September is a nice finisher. The morning is a bit windy, but the afternoon shows offshore winds again with a 6ft SW swell. The report says excellent conditions for experienced surfers, so it's a good way to wind down the forecast.

So, the two dates to lock in are Monday the 31st of August for the afternoon, and the whole of Friday the 11th of September. Both offer clean, offshore winds, solid SW groundswells, and strong energy. The rest is a mix of average to poor conditions, with a big, windy period in early September best left to the experts or the kite crew.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the NNW by Tue morning).

Fri
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
0
1
0
1
2
2
4
4
3
2
2
0
4
3
2
2
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.2
SW
12
1.6
SW
18
1.8
SW
17
2.1
SW
19
2.2
SW
18
2
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.5
SW
15
1.8
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
2.2
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1943
1108
802
553
411
449
1766
1818
3199
2912
1953
1265
975
988
1664
2148
1972
1956
1779
1759
Wind (km/h)
10
E
15
E
15
E
15
E
20
ESE
15
ESE
15
E
15
E
15
NE
15
N
20
NNE
40
NNW
30
WNW
20
SW
15
W
25
WNW
30
WNW
30
WNW
35
W
35
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
2:45AM0.61m
2:45PM0.90m
3:02AM0.70m
3:05PM0.85m
3:22AM0.78m
3:23PM0.77m
3:46AM0.86m
3:39PM0.69m
4:12AM0.91m
3:51PM0.59m
4:43AM0.92m
3:53PM0.51m
Low Tide
9:04PM0.10m
8:19AM0.12m
9:11PM0.08m
8:51AM0.09m
9:19PM0.07m
9:24AM0.09m
9:27PM0.05m
9:57AM0.12m
9:37PM0.04m
10:33AM0.18m
9:47PM0.02m
11:12AM0.26m
9:58PM0.00m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:47
6:45
6:43
6:43
6:41
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:02
6:04
 mm
Temp °C
18
17
16
17
15
14
15
14
16
17
18
17
17
14
12
13
14
15
15
13
Feels °C
16
13
13
13
12
11
11
10
13
14
14
10
11
9
8
7
8
9
9
5
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  • 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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