Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 22 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.1°C
0.5° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 20s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 19s period, SW swell with 4,849 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s 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 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m 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 2.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sun 23rd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 14s
Best Surf 3PM (Thu 27th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 20s
Most Powerful 6PM (Thu 27th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty, and I've got a look at the next couple of weeks for us. We're focusing on a single spot that's got a pretty solid run of action coming through.

We're looking at a solid south-west groundswell train that's going to be feeding into our exposed reefs. The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, so nothing freaky there. The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag, but once the wind plays nice, we're in for some proper sessions.

The first call is Sunday morning the 23rd. We've got a clean 7ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period – that's a proper long-period pulse, packing a heap of energy. This is going to be a standout for experienced surfers, no doubt. The wind is a light NNE cross-off, so the faces will be clean. The sea surface is all organised. This is the kind of morning you get up early for. Sunday afternoon holds similar quality, dropping to 6ft but still with that long-period power.

Monday the 24th gets a bit messy with light rain and cross-shore winds, dropping the wave height to around 4ft. The energy drops right off and the quality is marginal. Tuesday the 25th is a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds and lumpy, choppy conditions. The swell is pumping but it's a mess.

We get a clean-up on Wednesday the 26th. A light offshore NW wind kicks in, making the 5ft SW swell look very inviting. The crowd factor is a possibility, but with that lineup, it's always worth it. Thursday the 27th is the real gem. Morning has a 3ft, 21-second period SW groundswell – that's a super long period, and it's glassy offshore. The energy is still solid but that period will make the waves push up nicely. The afternoon session is the pick of the entire forecast: a 6ft SW groundswell with a 20-second period, clean offshore N wind, and massive energy. This is a top-tier day for the experienced crew.

Friday the 28th kicks off with a solid 8ft SW swell and a light cross-off breeze. Still excellent for the advanced crowd. Things start to slide a bit on the weekend, with the 29th and 30th seeing more cross-on wind and marginal conditions. The energy is still there but the wind is messy.

The 31st of August is another standout. Monday morning with a 8ft SW groundswell and a light cross-off breeze. Clean, powerful, and top-notch. Monday afternoon holds with a 7ft and offshore NNW wind. The first week of September looks promising again, with the 1st having a clean cross-off wind and the 4th of September afternoon showing an 8ft SW swell with a light cross-off and clean conditions. The 7th of September morning has a big 10ft WSW swell but with a cross-off wind, it's still a solid option for the experts.

All in all, we've got a few gaps in the middle of the week, but the standouts are clear. The Thursday the 27th afternoon session is the one to circle. And keep an eye on the 31st August morning. The long-period swells from the south-west are the key, and when the wind is offshore, this place is a proper machine.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
1
1
1
0
0
0
3
3
3
2
4
5
5
4
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.2
SW
15
2.2
SW
17
1.9
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
2.3
SW
16
2.1
SW
14
1.8
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
0.8
SW
21
1.8
SW
20
2.5
SW
18
2.3
SW
16
2.1
SW
16
1.7
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2010
2758
1787
936
581
422
431
2545
1736
1336
814
591
319
647
2520
4336
2909
2203
1204
Wind (km/h)
5
ESE
15
NNE
5
NNE
15
ENE
15
ENE
25
E
20
SSW
30
SSW
25
SW
10
SW
15
NW
15
NNW
15
N
20
N
15
N
10
NE
10
NE
10
ESE
10
ESE
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
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
2:25PM0.93m
2:45AM0.61m
Low Tide
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
7:48AM0.16m
9:04PM0.10m
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:55
5:55
5:57
5:58
5:59
5:59
 mm
4
9
5
Temp °C
13
14
15
16
12
12
14
14
13
13
13
12
13
15
17
17
17
17
17
Feels °C
11
12
13
13
9
8
8
8
7
10
10
9
9
11
15
14
15
15
14
  • 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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