Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 01 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 1 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 20s period, SW swell with 10,349 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 12AM (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 Friday (Sep 04) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 15s period. 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 20s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 9PM. 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+)12AM (Fri 4th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Best Surf12AM (Fri 4th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 9PM (Tue 8th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 20s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking.

We’ve got a 16-day window, and the first proper surf shows up on the 1st of September. It’s not a classic start, though. The early part of the week is a bit of a fight with the wind.

Tuesday afternoon (1st September) kicks things off at Chinamans. It’s a reef break, advanced only, and it’s fairly consistent. There’s a 3.6ft swell from the southwest, with a long 17-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, but it’s a bit of a struggle with a 15.5 mph cross-offshore wind from the west. The water’s sitting at 59.7°, which is about a degree warmer than usual for this time of year. The combined energy is sitting at 1141 (moderate). It’s surfable, but it’s not the day to write home about.

Wednesday (2nd September) sees the swell bump up to 6.9ft in the morning (SW, 16 seconds) and 7.5ft in the afternoon (SW, 15 seconds). The wind stays cross-off from the west, but it’s a bit stronger in the afternoon at 18.6 mph. The energy is climbing (2211 and 2169), but conditions are still described as marginal. This is more size for the experienced crew, but the wind is making it a bit of a wrestle.

Thursday (3rd September) is a big day for size, but a bad day for quality. We’re looking at 9.8ft swell from the southwest (14-second period) both morning and afternoon. The wind swings cross-shore from the SW and WSW, and the energy is huge (4828 and 3253). The problem is the description says “moderate cross-shore with a cross-chop.” For a reef break, that’s going to be lumpy. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session.

Friday (4th September) is the real standout. This is the best on offer in the first week. The morning brings a clean 9.8ft swell from the southwest (15-second period) with a 12.4 mph offshore wind from the NNW. That’s a dream combination for Chinamans. The combined energy is a solid 3681, and the notes say “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” The afternoon drops a little to 8.2ft with a 15.5 mph offshore wind, still clean. This is the day to call in sick for. The water is still a touch warmer than average, but you won’t care when you’re getting those long, lined-up waves.

Saturday (5th September) is a step down. The swell is still 9.8ft, but the wind is a cross-shore WSW at 15.5-18.6 mph, creating lumpy, choppy conditions. Not the move.

Sunday (6th September) has a nice moment in the afternoon. The morning is okay with a 6.9ft swell and a cross-offshore breeze, but the afternoon is glassy. The wind drops to 3.1 mph from the ENE, and the conditions are described as “glassy.” The swell is 5.6ft, SW, with a 14-second period. The energy is 1143. It’s a smaller, cleaner window for the experienced surfer who wants a relaxing session.

From Monday (7th September) through Thursday (10th September), it’s a write-off. Winds are strong and onshore or cross-onshore, with gusts up to 37.3 mph. The swell is big (9.8ft to 13.1ft), but it’s blown out and messy. The energy is huge (up to 17484), but it’s not for paddling. The 9th of September even has a note saying the swell is predicted to be too big for this break.

Friday (11th September) is marginal, with a 6.9ft swell and cross-shore wind. Not great.

Saturday (12th September) is the second standout. The best of the second week. The morning shows a 9.8ft swell from the southwest (17-second period) with a light 6.2 mph cross-offshore breeze from the NE. The afternoon is even better, with a 3.1 mph cross-offshore wind and 8.2ft swell. Both sessions are described as “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers” and “clean.” The energy is high (4541 and 3640). This is a distant, promising call, but it looks like a cracker.

Sunday (13th September) fades back to smaller, wind-affected surf.

Monday (14th September) is tiny and lumpy.

Tuesday (15th September) sees a weird swell: 2.0ft in the morning, but a 22-second period – that’s an incredibly long, low-energy groundswell. It’s clean, but small. The afternoon is 3.6ft with the same long period.

Wednesday (16th September) closes out the window with a solid 8.2ft swell from the

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed night, light winds from the WNW by Thu night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, near gales from the ESE by Sun night).

Tue
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
2
3
2
3
5
5
4
2
2
3
5
3
4
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
17
1.5
SW
16
2.1
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
15
3
SW
15
2.5
SW
15
2.5
SW
15
3
SW
15
3
SW
15
3
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
1.7
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1
SW
13
1
SW
14
1.5
SW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
754
1082
2185
2169
3009
3171
3253
3952
3681
3204
3158
3746
3797
3224
1754
1139
579
330
350
1532
Wind (km/h)
25
W
15
SW
20
W
30
W
35
WNW
25
SW
20
WSW
10
WNW
20
NNW
25
NNW
35
W
30
WSW
25
WSW
10
WNW
20
NNE
5
ENE
30
SE
50
ESE
25
E
20
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
High Tide
3:39PM0.69m
4:12AM0.91m
3:51PM0.59m
4:43AM0.92m
3:53PM0.51m
5:20AM0.90m
3:32PM0.45m
6:08AM0.84m
7:40AM0.76m
11:29AM0.78m
Low Tide
9:37PM0.04m
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
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
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
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:01
6:02
6:04
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:07
 mm
1
2
4
1
10
1
1
Temp °C
16
14
13
14
14
14
14
14
15
17
16
13
12
12
15
16
15
14
14
14
Feels °C
11
11
7
7
7
9
9
10
9
13
11
7
7
10
11
15
12
7
10
11
  • 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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