Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with 6,678 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 18s. 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 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let's get straight into it. This forecast for Chinamans is a ripper if you time it right, but it's got its share of dud days too. We're looking at a solid run of SW groundswell, but the wind is the boss here. It's a reef, so it can get heavy, and with the size on offer, this is not for the faint of heart.
The Overall Picture: The next few days are looking sloppy with a cross-shore breeze. But don't stress, because the wind swings offshore for a couple of cracking windows. The first is Sunday the 23rd, and the second is next Thursday the 27th afternoon. After that, it gets messy again before a final clean-up in the first week of September.
The First Window – Sunday the 23rd:
Saturday the 22nd is a write-off. We've got 8ft of swell but it's chopped up by a cross-shore wind. Skip it. Sunday is when it's on. The morning is clean with a 7ft SW swell and a 17-second period. The wind is light and cross-offshore, leaving it glassy. That's your go-time. The wave energy is strong, coming in at 2758. It's an advanced wave on a day like this, so bring your best. The afternoon stays clean with a light offshore breeze and 6ft on the face.
Midweek Clean-Up:
Monday the 24th starts glassy with a smaller 4ft SW swell, but the energy is weak (619), so it won't have much drive. The afternoon is ruined by a fresh onshore breeze. Tuesday the 25th is a complete washout with strong cross-onshore winds and lumpy 6ft surf. Don't even think about it.
The Big One – Thursday the 27th Afternoon:
Now we're talking. After a clean but smaller Wednesday, Thursday afternoon is the standout of the whole period. The swell jumps to 8ft from the SW, with a very long 19-second period. The wave energy is cranking at 4877. And the wind? A moderate offshore from the NNW. This is proper groundswell, and with that period, it's going to hit the reef with serious power. This is big, strong stuff – experts only. This is the one to point your board at.
The Second Week: The Onshore Mess and a Final Clean-Up:
Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th are toast. We've got 8ft of swell, but it's getting thrashed by strong cross-onshore winds. It's just lumpy and horrible. This setup looks way more interesting for a kite surfer. Sunday the 30th is still onshore and messy. The first few days of September are also marred by wind and weaker swell. It's a poor run.
The Silver Lining – September 3rd and 4th:
After about five days of dirt, things settle down. On Thursday the 3rd of September, the wind turns offshore and we get a clean 6ft SW swell. The energy is moderate (1338), but it'll be clean. Then Friday the 4th of September afternoon is another proper highlight. The wind drops to a light cross-offshore breeze, and we've got a clean 7ft SW swell. It's glassy, the energy is moderate (1812), and it's going to be a fun, powerful session. Saturday the 5th cleans up too, and then Sunday has another go with offshore winds.
So, to boil it down. Your absolute standouts are Sunday the 23rd and Thursday the 27th afternoon. The second week shows some promise towards the end, but it's less certain that far out. It's a reef, so pick your moments, mind the tide, and show it some respect.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Mon night, light winds from the WNW by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2963 | 2404 | 2169 | 2148 | 2758 | 1787 | 936 | 581 | 422 | 380 | 1664 | 1402 | 1139 | 744 | 581 | 614 | 847 | 4877 | 4489 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross | glassy | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:29AM0.68m | 12:20PM0.72m | 12:56PM0.79m | 3:38AM0.37m | 1:22PM0.86m | 2:36AM0.40m | 1:44PM0.90m | 2:26AM0.46m | 2:05PM0.93m | 2:32AM0.53m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 10:26PM0.13m | 10:07PM0.15m | 9:39PM0.15m | 9:15PM0.15m | 5:30AM0.36m | 9:03PM0.14m | 6:37AM0.29m | 8:59PM0.13m | 7:15AM0.22m | 9:00PM0.11m | |||||||||
— | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 12 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 17 |
2963 | 2404 | 2169 | 2148 | 2758 | 1787 | 936 | 581 | 422 | 380 | 1664 | 1402 | 1139 | 744 | 581 | 614 | 825 | 4877 | 2846 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 20 | — | — | — | N 4 | SW 18 | SW 18 | NE 4 | — | WSW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 24 | SW 21 | — | — |
— | 87 | 365 | 552 | — | — | — | 5 | 119 | 246 | 6 | — | 37 | 111 | 165 | 22 | 847 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 20 | N 4 | N 5 | — | — | SW 13 | — | — | SW 24 | W 5 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 38 | 1 | 13 | — | — | 7 | — | — | 22 | 4 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | E 4 | ESE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | — | WSW 5 | — | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | SW 17 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 13 | 4 | 7 | 5 | — | 13 | — | 24 | 29 | 4489 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 162 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 78 | 32 | 628 | 676 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 81 | 0 | 160 |
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.











