Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 06 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.1°C
0.6° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 18s period, SW swell with 6,620 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s 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 (Sep 07) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 21s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 3.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 3PM. 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 TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Mon 7th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 12th Sep)6ft (1.8m) 16s
Most Powerful 3PM (Wed 9th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got a solid run of SW groundswell aimed at Chinamans, a reef setup that loves that direction. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The first few days are a bit of a write-off, but hold tight – there’s some real quality waiting.

Sunday the 6th kicks off with a 8ft SW swell at 14 seconds, but it’s a bit messy with cross-shore wind and the energy is strong (2223). The afternoon drops to 7ft but stays cross-shore. It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.

Monday the 7th sees the swell drop to 4ft with clean offshore SSE wind. The energy is moderate (596). It’s a small, clean day for the longboard or a fun shape, but the real juice isn’t here yet.

Tuesday the 8th is where it starts to get interesting. Morning shows 7ft of SW groundswell, 17-second period, with clean offshore wind. The energy jumps to 2622, and it’s a beautiful start. The afternoon wind swings cross-shore and picks up, so get in early.

Wednesday the 9th is a no-go. The swell jumps to 8ft and then 12ft, but the wind is onshore and strong – fresh breeze from the SE. The energy is pumping (5216 and 6741), but it’s blown out. Not for paddling.

Thursday the 10th is still a bit rough. 10ft and 8ft swell with cross-onshore wind and moderate energy (4325 and 3174). Choppy, messy. Give it a miss.

Friday the 11th is a bit better. 6ft swell, 15-second period, gentle cross-shore and cross-onshore winds. The energy is moderate (1368 and 1401). It’s small and clean enough for a session, but not the standout.

Now, mark your calendar for the weekend. Saturday the 12th morning brings 5ft SW groundswell, cross-offshore wind from the north, and clean conditions. The energy is moderate (1076). It’s a fun, clean day.

Sunday the 13th is the first real standout. Morning sees 4ft of SW groundswell with a 16-second period, clean offshore wind from the NNW, and moderate energy (939). The afternoon holds with 4ft and cross-offshore wind. It’s clean, it’s lined up, and it’s a reef. This is your session.

Monday the 14th morning is also good. 5ft WSW groundswell, offshore wind, moderate energy (745). Clean and fun.

From Tuesday the 15th to Wednesday the 16th, the swell picks up. Tuesday is 7ft and 7ft but with cross-onshore and cross-shore wind – a bit choppy. Wednesday the 16th is a gem. Morning is glassy – zero wind – with 6ft SW swell and calm conditions. The energy is moderate (1324). The afternoon is clean with light cross-offshore wind. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The reef will be working.

Thursday the 17th is another good one. Both morning and afternoon have 5ft to 6ft SW swell, 15-second period, with clean offshore wind. The energy is moderate (1720 and 1111). The afternoon is a standout – clean, offshore, and lined up.

Friday the 18th is a write-off. Strong breeze and onshore wind, small swell. Not worth it.

The final big call is Sunday the 21st. The morning shows 12ft of SW groundswell with a very long 21-second period. The energy is massive (11086). The wind is gentle cross-offshore and clean. This is a heavy, powerful swell. For the experts only – it’s a serious reef wave. The energy is enormous, and the period is almost supernatural. If you’re not confident, stay on the beach. For the crew who can handle it, this is the session of the forecast.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri night, min 10°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Wed morning, light winds from the ESE by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
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
0
2
1
1
3
0
0
0
0
3
3
3
1
3
3
4
4
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SW
14
2
SW
19
2.2
SW
17
2.1
SW
16
2.2
SW
16
3
SW
19
3.5
SW
18
3
SW
17
3
SW
16
2.4
SW
16
2
SW
15
1.8
SW
15
1.9
SW
15
1.8
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.3
SW
15
0.8
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2223
1762
933
537
579
2730
2790
2326
2404
6102
6620
5534
3978
2905
1715
1343
1547
1591
1062
757
379
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
15
WSW
20
SSW
5
SE
10
SSE
15
ESE
10
SE
25
SW
35
SSE
35
SE
30
SSE
20
SE
15
SE
10
SE
15
ESE
15
ENE
5
ESE
15
NE
25
N
20
N
20
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
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
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:30
6:28
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:09
 mm
Temp °C
14
14
13
13
12
11
11
12
12
12
13
10
12
13
12
14
15
16
17
20
21
Feels °C
11
10
9
11
10
7
9
6
5
5
6
4
9
11
9
12
13
14
11
16
17
  • 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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