
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, SW swell with 6,632 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m 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 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk surf in feet and miles per hour.
First off, the next few days are a write-off until the wind sorts itself out. From Wednesday 9th through Thursday 10th, we’ve got south-easterlies howling between 15 and 22 mph, wrecking a solid south-west groundswell that’s 8 to 10 ft with a very long 19-second period. That’s a heap of energy, but blown-out and lumpy. Not worth it.
Friday 11th is still average. Morning shows a 6 ft, 15-second SW swell with a moderate cross-shore wind. Afternoon is better — a light cross-onshore breeze on a 6 ft, 16-second swell — but still marginal. Saturday 12th is the first half-decent day. The wind goes cross-offshore from the north-northeast at 13 mph, and you’ve got a clean 6 ft and 5 ft SW swell with periods of 15 and 16 seconds. At Chinamans (reef), it’s fairly consistent, but crowds are possible. Water temp is about normal for this time of year.
Sunday 13th is where it cleans up proper. Offshore north wind at 13 mph in the morning, then light west-northwest at 6 mph in the afternoon. The swell is 4 ft from the SW at 16 seconds, clean and lined-up. Good for experienced surfers on the reef.
Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th are flat and onshore. Don’t bother.
Thursday 17th September is the standout. Morning has a clean 6 ft, 15-second SW swell with a light cross-offshore breeze. In the afternoon, it goes glassy — zero wind — on a 5 ft, 15-second groundswell. That’s the cleanest you’ll see all forecast. The reef setup loves that long period.
Friday 18th is still clean but smaller at 4 ft and 4 ft. Fun.
Saturday 19th morning is clean again with a 5 ft, 15-second swell. Then Sunday 20th morning brings a solid 8 ft SW swell at 12 seconds with a gentle offshore north breeze. That’s expert territory, but with clean wind it’ll be heavy.
The biggest swell arrives Monday 21st — 12 ft from the SW at 18 seconds, with a cross-offshore breeze. That’s an enormous amount of water and energy. The afternoon gets wrecked by a 45 km/h (28 mph) WNW gale, so the window is tight. After that, the rest of the week is messy with cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions.
The standout is Thursday 17th September for the glassy, clean 5 to 6 ft groundswell. The Sunday 20th morning is the best for power. Expect a crowd at Chinamans on the good days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Tue night, light winds from the ESE by Fri afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat night, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2404 | 6632 | 5921 | 4553 | 3293 | 2692 | 1460 | 1271 | 1852 | 1875 | 1331 | 1055 | 663 | 823 | 793 | 695 | 331 | 390 | 1144 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | on |
High Tide | 2:08AM0.36m | 1:12PM0.89m | 1:56AM0.47m | 1:43PM0.90m | 2:08AM0.60m | 2:11PM0.87m | 2:29AM0.72m | 2:36PM0.82m | 2:51AM0.82m | 2:58PM0.75m | 3:15AM0.88m | 3:16PM0.68m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:00AM0.26m | 8:23PM0.10m | 7:02AM0.17m | 8:25PM0.08m | 7:47AM0.09m | 8:34PM0.06m | 8:25AM0.05m | 8:44PM0.04m | 9:00AM0.04m | 8:56PM0.02m | 9:32AM0.06m | 9:08PM0.02m | |||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
6:07 | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
2404 | 6632 | 5921 | 4553 | 3293 | 2692 | 1460 | 1271 | 1852 | 1875 | 1331 | 1055 | 663 | 823 | 793 | 318 | 331 | 197 | 1144 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 26 | S 25 | SSW 18 | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | ENE 4 | N 4 | — | WSW 4 | SW 18 | SSW 16 |
— | — | — | — | — | 27 | 13 | 209 | — | — | — | — | 387 | 1 | 5 | — | 7 | 252 | 175 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | — | SW 19 | — | W 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 130 | — | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | — | — | N 4 | N 4 | N 4 | N 4 | — | SW 15 | — | SW 14 | SSW 5 |
30 | 58 | 43 | 47 | 24 | 10 | 20 | 4 | — | — | 13 | 9 | 10 | 16 | — | 695 | — | 390 | 24 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 1202 | 1836 | 29 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 79 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 7 | 738 | 219 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










