Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 29 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
14.8°C
0.2° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 19s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 4,948 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 19s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 19s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Mon 31st Aug)7ft (2.1m) 19s
Best Surf 9AM (Mon 31st Aug)7ft (2.1m) 19s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sat 5th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for Chinamans over the next couple of weeks.

Right now, we’re in a bit of a flat spot. The first few days – Saturday the 29th through Sunday the 30th – are pretty ordinary. Swell is hanging around 4ft to 5ft from the SW, but winds are cross-onshore and the waves are choppy and messy. The combined energy is moderate (636–839), but it’s not doing us any favours. Water temp is 59°, pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so nothing weird there.

Monday the 31st is where things start to look up. Morning brings a clean 7ft SW groundswell (19-second period – that’s proper long-period energy) with a light cross-offshore breeze from the NE. The water’s glassy, waves have shape, and that period over 15 seconds means the sets will be lined up and hollow. This is a reef break, so long-period groundswell will hit it nicely. Combined energy is strong at 3679. Afternoon holds similar – 7ft, 18-second period, light cross-off. This is the standout of the first week – clean, powerful, and set for experienced surfers.

Tuesday the 1st of September sees the swell drop back to 5ft, but the wind goes offshore from the NNW, 35 km/h in the morning. That’s fresh and clean, though a bit breezy. Combined energy moderate (1248). It’s rideable but not as juicy as Monday.

Wednesday the 2nd through Thursday the 3rd stays marginal with 5ft to 8ft SW swells, moderate cross-offshore winds, and combined energy moderate to strong (1264–2201). Not terrible, but nothing to get overly excited about. Friday the 4th afternoon sees a brief uptick – 7ft, offshore NW wind at 20 km/h, clean and decent for experienced surfers (1616 energy).

Now, a heads-up: Saturday the 5th through Tuesday the 9th is a write-off. Strong cross-shore winds near gale force, swell jumping to 10ft–12ft, but the ocean’s a mess – messy cross-chop, poor conditions. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Combined energy hits 13120 at one point, but without decent wind direction, it’s no good for us.

Wednesday the 9th of September is the second big standout. Morning shows a 10ft SW groundswell with a very long 18-second period, gentle offshore wind from the N, combined energy 4594 – strong. Afternoon holds 8ft, 17-second period, light cross-off. Both sessions are clean, powerful, and calling for experienced surfers. This is the best of the second week – promising but remember it’s long-range, so keep an eye on it.

Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th stay good – 8ft dropping to 5ft, offshore winds, clean. Saturday the 12th holds 7ft with offshore winds, still decent. Sunday the 13th fades: 4ft–6ft, and winds get strong again, making it marginal.

Overall, the best windows are Monday the 31st of August and Wednesday the 9th of September. Crowds are sometimes an issue at Chinamans, so for those standouts, expect some company. But with that quality, it’s worth it.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Tue morning, light winds from the NW by Thu night).

Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
2
1
5
4
3
2
3
1
3
2
3
3
2
3
1
4
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.2
SW
12
1.6
SW
18
1.8
SW
17
2.1
SW
19
2.2
SW
18
1.9
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.2
SW
14
1.9
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
2
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
2
SW
14
2
SW
14
3
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
802
553
411
449
1747
1818
3199
2912
1809
1248
598
1650
1200
1738
2544
2201
2065
1639
1616
1616
4077
Wind (km/h)
15
ESE
15
E
20
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
NE
10
NNE
20
NNE
35
NNW
30
NNW
30
SW
20
W
25
W
30
W
20
WNW
25
WNW
15
N
35
NNE
20
NW
45
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
2:45PM0.90m
3:02AM0.70m
3:05PM0.85m
3:22AM0.78m
3:23PM0.77m
3:46AM0.86m
3:39PM0.69m
4:12AM0.91m
3:51PM0.59m
4:43AM0.92m
3:53PM0.51m
5:20AM0.90m
3:32PM0.45m
Low Tide
9:11PM0.08m
8:51AM0.09m
9:19PM0.07m
9:24AM0.09m
9:27PM0.05m
9:57AM0.12m
9:37PM0.04m
10:33AM0.18m
9:47PM0.02m
11:12AM0.26m
9:58PM0.00m
12:03PM0.37m
10:08PM0.00m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:47
6:45
6:43
6:43
6:41
6:39
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:02
6:04
6:04
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
16
17
15
14
15
13
15
16
18
17
20
15
13
14
14
14
15
15
17
17
15
Feels °C
12
13
12
11
11
9
12
13
14
9
14
11
9
8
8
10
10
13
11
14
9
  • 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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