
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, SW swell with 6,702 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 15s period. 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 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s have a look at what’s comin’ for Chinamans. This is a reef setup that’s exposed to the SW, so it wants a solid south-west groundswell to get goin’. The water temp is sittin’ around 59.5°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year – nothin’ weird goin’ on there.
First proper surf on offer is Sunday afternoon September 6th. Swell’s 6.9 ft from the SW with a 14-second period – that’s a nice groundswell, plenty of energy (1762 combined). But the wind is WSW at 15 km/h, cross-shore, and the report says marginal with questionable tide. It’s not a total write-off for an advanced surfer, but it’s not the best.
Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th are pretty average. Wave heights drop to 4.3 ft on Monday with onshore and cross-on winds – not worth paddlin’ out for. Tuesday morning has a nice clean 6.9 ft SW swell with a long 17-second period, light SSE wind, but the report calls it marginal. The energy is massive though – 2622 – so there’s some push. By Tuesday afternoon the wind swings SW and picks up to 25 km/h, makin’ it choppy and messy.
Wednesday the 9th is a write-off. Swell bumps up to 9.8-11.5 ft from the SW with strong onshore SE winds at 30-35 km/h. That’s big, blown-out and dangerous – only for the crazy ones, and even then, it’s poor.
Thursday the 10th sees the swell drop back to 7.9-8.2 ft, still SW, with light ESE cross-on winds. The energy is still high (around 2867-3554). It’s marginal with small wind ripples – might be okay for a wave if you’re keen, but nothin’ special.
Friday the 11th: 5.9 ft SW swell, 15-second period, light ENE cross-shore wind. Energy’s moderate (1349). Still marginal. You could get a couple, but it’s not clean.
Now here’s a glimmer: Saturday the 12th. Swell drops to 3.6-4.9 ft SW, but the wind is NNE at 20-25 km/h, which is cross-offshore. That means clean, groomed waves. The energy is lower (829-1061), but if you want small, clean, rippable waves, this is your window. The report says “clean” – that’s good for a reef like this.
Sunday the 13th is the first real standout. Swell is 4.3 ft from the SW, 16-second period, and the wind is offshore – NNW at 15 km/h in the morning, then WNW cross-off in the arvo. The report says “expect very good surf conditions.” Energy is moderate (890-920). This is the best early call. Clean, offshore, long-period groundswell on a reef. Get out there early.
Monday the 14th is a mess – 5.9-6.2 ft SW swell with strong cross-on SW winds. Choppy, poor. Skip it.
Tuesday the 15th: swell picks up to 6.9-7.5 ft SW, light cross-on wind from E and SW. Energy is strong (1881-2601). Marginal with small wind ripples – might be okay for experienced surfers, but not a standout.
Wednesday the 16th: 5.2-5.9 ft SW, light cross-on then cross-off. The afternoon has NE wind at only 5 km/h, cross-off, and the report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” Energy moderate (1394-1446). That’s another good call for later in the period.
Now Thursday the 17th: this one’s a big one. Swell is 8.2 ft from the SW, 17-second period, with offshore N wind at 30 km/h in the morning. Energy is huge – 4043. The report says marginal but with “fresh offshore and clean.” That’s a powerful, clean groundswell – but 8.2 ft on a reef is expert territory. In the afternoon, wind swings NW and blows 40 km/h, so morning is the only window.
Friday the 18th: drop back to 4.6-5.2 ft SW, moderate cross-off winds. Clean, but small.
Then the real standout appears on Monday September 21st. Swell is 9.8 ft in the morning, then 11.5 ft in the afternoon from the SW, with an incredible 21-second period. Wind is light NNE at 10 km/h, cross-off, clean. Combined energy is 10929 – that’s exceptional. The report says “exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers” and scores it a 9. That is the best wave of the whole 16-day window. But it’s a beast – 11.5 ft, very long period, on a reef. Only for top-level surfers. Crowds at Chinamans can
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Tue morning, strong winds from the SSE by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri night, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Wed afternoon, light winds from the ENE by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1762 | 1014 | 537 | 579 | 1691 | 2622 | 2326 | 2404 | 6702 | 6545 | 5063 | 3543 | 2832 | 1585 | 1325 | 1493 | 1474 | 1001 | 459 | 973 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:29AM0.78m | 12:33PM0.85m | 2:08AM0.36m | 1:12PM0.89m | 1:56AM0.47m | 1:43PM0.90m | 2:08AM0.60m | 2:11PM0.87m | 2:29AM0.72m | 2:36PM0.82m | 2:51AM0.82m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 9:54PM0.06m | 9:04PM0.10m | 8:31PM0.11m | 6:00AM0.26m | 8:23PM0.10m | 7:02AM0.17m | 8:25PM0.08m | 7:47AM0.09m | 8:34PM0.06m | 8:25AM0.05m | 8:44PM0.04m | |||||||||
— | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 21 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 |
1762 | 1014 | 537 | 579 | 1691 | 2622 | 2326 | 2404 | 6702 | 6545 | 5063 | 3543 | 2832 | 1585 | 1325 | 1493 | 1474 | 1001 | 459 | 973 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 26 | SW 25 | SW 24 | — | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
— | 21 | 116 | 341 | 527 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | 24 | 22 | — | — | 60 | 370 | 510 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | — | — | S 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | — | — | NNE 3 | N 4 | N 4 |
— | — | 1 | 2 | 7 | — | — | 33 | 47 | 40 | 31 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 10 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 32 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 46 | 32 | 1210 | 1598 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 79 | 79 | 7 |
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.










