Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 03 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.5°C
1.1° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 3 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, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 19s period, SW swell with 7,859 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 3.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 12AM.

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 3PM (Wed 9th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break this down.

Same setup – Chinamans is your only spot showing swell over the next couple of weeks. Water temp is about 60°F, a touch warmer than usual for the season.

Thursday the 3rd starts with a 10ft SW swell, around 14-second period. Strong energy reading at 6602. But the cross-wind and chop will keep it from being perfect. Not bad, but not glassy.

Friday the 4th drops to 8-10ft from the SW, and the wind turns light offshore from the NNE. That cleans it up nicely. Good power, better shape.

Saturday the 5th is a dud. 12ft SW swell, but a 28 mph cross-wind turns it into a lumpy mess. The energy is still huge at 5162, but it’s not surfable.

Your best early call is Sunday morning the 6th. Glassy, calm winds, 8ft SW swell with good 14-second period. Energy is solid at 1948. It’ll be clean and well-shaped. For experienced folks only. Crowds are possible.

Monday the 7th through Wednesday the 9th is all onshore wind. Swell hangs around 4-12ft, but it’s choppy and poor.

Thursday the 10th is marginal. Not worth it.

Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th get a little better: 5-6ft SW swell with clean offshore winds from the NE and NNE. The energy drops to the 900-1275 range, so it’s smaller, but the surface will be smooth.

Sunday the 13th is tricky. Morning has strong offshore wind but only 4ft of swell – hard to paddle into. Afternoon picks up to 7ft but gets lumpy.

Now, the standout of the whole run: Tuesday morning the 15th. Glassy, dead calm, and a 8ft SW swell with a 17-second period – that’s a long-period groundswell that will wrap perfectly. Energy is 3125. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers. Crowds possible, but this is the one to aim for.

After that, the 16th and beyond gets blown out again. By Thursday the 17th, you’ve got 12ft swell with a 31 mph onshore wind – that’s for kite surfers, not paddle boarders. Energy hits 8362, but it’s unsurfable.

Bottom line: Sunday the 6th is good, but Tuesday the 15th is the real winner. Go then.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the W by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun night, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the ESE by Tue night).

Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
5
3
4
1
0
2
3
4
3
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
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)
3
WSW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
15
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.2
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.5
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
2
SW
19
2.3
SW
17
2.2
SW
16
1.9
SW
16
2.4
SW
16
3.5
SW
19
3
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3551
3137
4264
4084
3288
2197
5162
2892
2775
1948
1665
790
545
628
2730
3185
2496
1764
3067
7859
5404
Wind (km/h)
25
SW
20
WSW
10
N
25
NNE
20
NNE
45
WNW
45
WSW
35
WSW
15
WSW
5
NNW
10
WSW
25
SSW
25
SSE
25
ESE
20
ESE
25
SE
20
ESE
30
ESE
30
ESE
30
ESE
25
E
Wind State
cross
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
3:53PM0.51m
5:20AM0.90m
3:32PM0.45m
6:08AM0.84m
7:40AM0.76m
11:29AM0.78m
12:33PM0.85m
2:08AM0.36m
1:12PM0.89m
1:56AM0.47m
Low Tide
11:12AM0.26m
9:58PM0.00m
12:03PM0.37m
10:08PM0.00m
10:11PM0.02m
9:54PM0.06m
9:04PM0.10m
8:31PM0.11m
6:00AM0.26m
8:23PM0.10m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:04
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:07
 mm
3
1
Temp °C
14
13
13
15
18
16
13
13
13
12
12
13
13
13
10
11
12
12
12
12
12
Feels °C
9
8
12
11
13
11
3
5
8
10
9
9
7
7
4
7
8
6
6
6
6
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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