Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 19 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 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 4,169 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 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 (Aug 21) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Fri 21st Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 15s
Best Surf12PM (Fri 21st Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 6AM (Tue 25th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break it down. Rusty here, talking about Chinamans. This is a reef break that loves south-west swell, but it’s for the advanced crew only. Water temp is about 59°F, right around average for this time of year.

We start Wednesday the 19th with a 7 ft swell from the west, but a short 8-second period, and wind from the WNW at 25 mph making it messy. Energy is moderate (946). Afternoon swell jumps to 8 ft from the WSW with a very long 15-second period, wind drops to 22 mph, still cross-off, but the rating is low.

Thursday the 20th morning has a 6 ft swell from the WSW, 16-second period, cross-off wind at 19 mph – clean but not great. Afternoon has a cross-shore wind at 16 mph, 6 ft swell from the SW, 16-second period, but a cross-chop.

Friday the 21st morning is a 7 ft swell from the SW, 14-second period, gentle cross-shore breeze at 9 mph – slight chop but solid energy (2586). Friday afternoon is a standout: 8 ft from the SW, 17-second period, cross-off wind from the west at 12 mph, clean and huge energy (2947). This is a top pick.

Saturday the 22nd morning has 8 ft from the SW, 16-second period, light cross-on from the SW at 6 mph – small ripples, but energy is high (2688). Saturday afternoon is another standout: same swell, but wind turns to a gentle cross-off from the west at 9 mph, clean and excellent for experienced surfers.

Sunday the 23rd morning has 7 ft from the SW, 17-second period, gentle cross-off from the NNE at 9 mph – clean and excellent. Sunday afternoon gets offshore from the NNW at 9 mph, 6 ft swell, 16-second period, glassy and excellent. Another gem.

Monday the 24th drops to 4 ft in the morning, moderate cross-off wind at 12 mph, energy moderate (742). Afternoon gets messy with cross-on wind at 19 mph and lumpy conditions.

Tuesday the 25th is blown out – 10 ft from the SW in the morning, cross-on wind at 16 mph, choppy and poor. Afternoon same story at 8 ft.

Wednesday the 26th morning is a surprise: glassy conditions with a 5 ft swell, 12-second period, wind from the west at 3 mph – almost calm. Energy moderate (761), conditions very good.

Thursday the 27th morning has a 3 ft swell, 14-second period, offshore wind at 16 mph, clean and very good. Afternoon: 5 ft from the SW, 14-second period, gentle offshore from the NNW at 9 mph, excellent conditions, energy 1581.

From Friday the 28th, onshore wind from the SSE ruins it, with swell around 8-8 ft but choppy and poor through the first week of September.

The second week has a few clean moments – Monday the 31st of August has cross-off winds and a 6-6 ft SW swell with 17-second periods, but it’s marginal. After that, it’s mostly onshore and small.

Best sessions: Friday afternoon the 21st, Saturday afternoon the 22nd, and Sunday afternoon the 23rd. For advanced surfers, that’s your clean, powerful window.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Wed morning, light winds from the WSW by Fri morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
3
3
2
2
2
3
3
2
2
4
4
4
4
3
2
0
2
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)
2
W
8
2.4
WSW
15
1.9
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
16
1.9
SW
16
2.1
SW
15
2
SW
14
2.3
SW
17
2.4
SW
16
2.3
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
2
SW
15
2.1
SW
17
1.8
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
1.3
WSW
14
1.7
SW
14
2.2
SW
13
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
14
2
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
502
2361
1303
1706
1869
2102
1602
2947
2794
2601
2199
1661
2386
1654
847
682
1154
1607
2522
2526
1182
Wind (km/h)
40
WNW
35
W
25
WNW
30
NW
25
WSW
20
WSW
15
WSW
20
W
15
SW
10
SW
15
W
5
NE
15
NNE
15
NNW
10
NNW
20
WNW
30
SSW
15
SSW
25
S
25
SSW
20
S
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
High Tide
4:16PM0.57m
5:43AM0.79m
3:52PM0.52m
6:19AM0.74m
1:59PM0.52m
7:29AM0.68m
12:20PM0.72m
12:56PM0.79m
3:38AM0.37m
1:22PM0.86m
2:36AM0.40m
Low Tide
11:23AM0.34m
10:31PM0.11m
12:00PM0.43m
10:32PM0.12m
1:14PM0.52m
10:26PM0.13m
10:07PM0.15m
9:39PM0.15m
9:15PM0.15m
5:30AM0.36m
9:03PM0.14m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
6:58
6:56
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:55
5:57
 mm
1
1
2
2
1
Temp °C
14
14
14
14
14
13
13
14
14
13
13
13
14
14
15
15
14
13
13
13
12
Feels °C
7
7
9
8
10
9
9
10
10
11
10
12
11
11
12
11
9
8
8
6
7
  • 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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