Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 12 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 12 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 4,869 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s 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 (Aug 14) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 16s 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Fri 14th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 14th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful12AM (Thu 13th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here again, giving you the same read on Chinamans but in feet and miles per hour so it feels more familiar.

We’ve got a solid run of south-west groundswell coming through, but this spot doesn’t mess around – it’s a reef break that wants advanced surfers only, and there’s plenty of size to keep it honest. Water temp is 59°F with the anomaly barely half a degree off normal, so about average for the season. The energy numbers are massive – the combined swell energy hitting a huge 11618 early on (August 12th Wednesday afternoon) is very strong, backing up a 12ft swell from the south-west with a 17-second period, proper long-period groundswell. For a reef that’s exposed to that direction, it’s gonna wrap in nicely, but that size and period means it’s only for the real deal surfers.

The wind’s a bit of a problem at first. That Wednesday afternoon (12th) has a fresh cross-shore breeze at 19 mph and lumpy cross-chop. Thursday (13th) the morning’s still a bit messy, but the afternoon cleans up with a cross-off breeze at 12 mph and still 10ft of south-west swell. The real standout early on is Friday morning, 14th August. A light westerly at 3 mph, nearly glassy, cross-off, with a solid 10ft south-west swell and a 16-second period. The combined energy sits at 3937 – moderate but clean. That’s the session to get before the wind turns cross-on in the afternoon.

The weekend (15th–16th) gets messy with an east-south-east onshore breeze at 12 mph, dropping the quality even though there’s still 7ft to 7ft of long-period swell. It’s choppy, not worth paddling for unless you just want a beating. From Saturday afternoon until mid-week, it’s pretty average.

Then the second week fires back up. Thursday 20th August afternoon: rain showers but a moderate offshore from the north-north-west at 12 mph, clean, with a 5ft south-west swell and 16-second period. Energy at 1101 – moderate. Good for experienced surfers.

But the absolute standout of the whole outlook? Monday morning, 25th August. A 10ft south-west swell, 15-second period, combined energy of 5910 – that’s strong to very strong. The wind is light north-east at 6 mph, cross-off, glassy clean. The forecast says “exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers.” Mark that day. Tuesday 26th still has clean conditions with a fresh offshore, but the swell drops to 8ft. Monday the 25th is the one.

Crowds are listed as “sometimes” – so when it’s good like that Monday, expect a few others with the same idea. The reef handles the south-west groundswell perfectly, but with that size and long period, you’ll have long waits between sets and a serious paddle out. Worth the trouble.

So the picks: Friday morning 14th August for glassy 10ft waves, and Monday 25th August for the big, clean stand-out pulse.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the W by Fri morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Wed
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
3
4
3
5
3
3
2
0
0
1
1
0
1
2
1
2
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
SW
17
3
SW
16
3
SW
16
3
SW
15
3
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.3
SW
16
2.2
SW
16
1.9
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
1.7
SW
14
1.5
SW
14
1.6
SW
16
1.7
SW
16
1.1
SW
19
1.4
SW
17
1.2
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
6261
4869
4136
3557
4158
3937
3502
3058
2620
2285
1542
1290
1179
886
1215
1420
911
1174
746
416
Wind (km/h)
30
WSW
25
WSW
20
WSW
20
W
15
WSW
5
W
10
SW
10
SE
15
ESE
25
ESE
20
E
20
ESE
20
ESE
15
E
15
E
20
ENE
25
ENE
25
NE
35
NE
40
NNE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
2:26AM0.46m
2:27PM1.08m
2:49AM0.57m
2:57PM1.03m
3:17AM0.67m
3:23PM0.96m
3:45AM0.75m
3:46PM0.86m
4:14AM0.81m
4:04PM0.76m
4:43AM0.83m
4:16PM0.66m
Low Tide
9:14PM0.12m
7:25AM0.15m
9:24PM0.11m
8:14AM0.11m
9:36PM0.09m
8:57AM0.11m
9:50PM0.09m
9:36AM0.13m
10:03PM0.08m
10:14AM0.18m
10:15PM0.08m
10:49AM0.25m
10:25PM0.09m
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:47
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:51
5:52
 mm
1
Temp °C
14
14
14
14
15
14
14
14
13
13
13
12
13
12
16
17
16
16
17
17
Feels °C
8
9
10
10
11
12
11
11
10
8
8
6
8
8
12
12
12
10
10
11
  • 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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