Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.4°C
1.0° 

Chinamans surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Chinamans surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 5,470 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Best Surf 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 9AM (Wed 9th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on the cards for Chinamans over the next couple of weeks.

Right now, we’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands. The surf kicks off Wednesday the 2nd, but honestly, it’s not looking worth paddling out for just yet. We’re seeing a solid 7 ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, and a hefty combined energy of 2262, but that 12 mph west cross-off wind is making things messy. The water is sitting at 60°, which is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there. Wednesday afternoon sees the swell nudge up to 8 ft, but the wind picks up to 19 mph and the quality drops. Thursday is a write-off with 10 ft SW swell and a nasty 19 mph cross-shore wind – that’s more of a washing machine than a wave.

Friday the 4th offers a glimmer of hope. The morning has a 10 ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and a 12 mph cross-off from the NE is keeping it clean (moderate energy of 4272). It’s still a big swell, over 8 ft, so this is for experienced surfers only. The real standout, though, is Saturday the 6th. Sunday morning we get a clean 8 ft SW swell (2545 energy) with a light 6 mph NNE cross-off breeze – that’s a proper session. But the absolute gem is Sunday afternoon: 7 ft of SW groundswell, and the wind drops to a dead-still 3 mph from the NE. Glassy conditions, my friends. The kind of surface that makes you want to whistle. This is the best on offer, hands down. For advanced surfers, that afternoon window is pure gold.

The week that follows gets messy again. Monday the 7th is a no-go with onshore winds and tiny, weak swell. Tuesday the 8th is chopped out. Wednesday the 9th is dangerous – a massive 10 ft SSW swell with a whopping combined energy over 10000, but hammered by 28 mph cross-onshore winds. Not surfable.

Looking into the second week, things calm down but stay a bit inconsistent. Friday the 11th shows some promise in the afternoon with a 4 ft SW swell and a clean 16 mph offshore NNW wind (733 energy). Not huge, but clean. Saturday the 12th is a write-off. The next real highlight is Monday the 14th morning: glassy conditions again, with a 5 ft SW groundswell (1239 energy). It’s smaller, but that offshore glass is hard to beat for a long, clean ride. Tuesday the 15th stays clean with cross-off winds and 5-6 ft swell, worth a look.

Late in the period, Thursday the 17th sees a massive 13 ft SW groundswell roll in, but the guidance tells us it’s just too big for this break. The energy readings are insane – over 19000 – but you’d need a jet ski and a death wish. Save your skin.

So, if you’re an experienced surfer, your window is Sunday the 6th afternoon – that’s the standout. Monday the 14th morning is the next best bet for a cleaner, smaller session. Crowds are possible at Chinamans, so get in early.

Stay salty,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, near gales from the W by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat night, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat morning, calm by Sun afternoon).

Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
AM
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
2
2
3
5
4
3
0
0
2
5
4
4
0
0
0
0
1
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)
2.1
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
15
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
3
WSW
15
3.5
SW
13
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2
SW
14
1.5
SW
13
1
SW
13
0.8
SW
21
1.9
SW
19
2.1
SW
17
2
SW
16
2
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2185
2169
3009
3009
3467
4264
4272
3455
3851
4152
3923
3278
2006
1580
767
320
527
2556
2442
2027
1929
Wind (km/h)
20
W
30
W
35
WNW
30
SW
20
WSW
10
NNE
20
NE
35
NNW
50
WNW
45
WSW
35
WSW
15
W
10
NNE
5
NE
25
SSE
30
ESE
25
E
20
E
15
ESE
25
SE
35
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
High Tide
3:51PM0.59m
4:43AM0.92m
3:53PM0.51m
5:20AM0.90m
3:32PM0.45m
6:08AM0.84m
7:40AM0.76m
11:29AM0.78m
12:33PM0.85m
2:08AM0.36m
Low Tide
10:33AM0.18m
9:47PM0.02m
11:12AM0.26m
9:58PM0.00m
12:03PM0.37m
10:08PM0.00m
10:11PM0.02m
9:54PM0.06m
9:04PM0.10m
8:31PM0.11m
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:02
6:04
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
 mm
1
3
Temp °C
13
14
15
14
13
13
15
17
16
13
13
14
13
14
13
14
14
14
15
15
13
Feels °C
8
7
8
8
8
11
8
11
10
3
6
10
10
13
9
10
9
10
12
10
6
  • 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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