Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 2,963 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 21s. 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, this is Rusty. Well, we've got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way over the next couple of weeks. The main show is from a solid southwest groundswell, but the wind's going to be the real decider on whether it's a goer or a groaner.
The first few days are a write-off, to be honest. Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th are there, but they’re marginal, so I'd give 'em a miss. The real energy starts building from Thursday the 20th, with the swell climbing and some long-period, 16 second lines rolling in.
The standout window looks to be Saturday the 22nd through Sunday the 23rd. On Saturday afternoon, Chinamans is looking magic. You've got a clean 8ft swell from the SW with a 15 second period, and a light cross-off breeze making for some proper clean faces. The wave energy is strong (2456), and it’s the kind of power that will push you down the line. Sunday morning holds a similar quality with a clean 7ft, offshore wind, and even longer 17 second gaps between sets, making the paddle out a breeze. Later Sunday afternoon, the wind turns light offshore from the NNW, grooming that 6ft swell. Just keep in mind, this is an advanced reef break, and the crowds show up here sometimes, so you might have some company in the water.
After that, Monday the 24th drops off a little, and then we're looking at a serious spike in power around Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th. The swell hammers up to 12ft and 10ft, with wave energy readings in the thousands (7115 and 5739 respectively). But the wind is straight onshore from the south, making it lumpy and choppy. That’s not for paddle surfing – that setup looks way more interesting for the kite crew.
We get a bit of a lull again, but keep an eye on the end of the month. Tuesday the 1st of September afternoon goes glassy with a clean 4ft, and then Wednesday the 2nd of September is a real beauty. That morning you’ve got 5ft from the SW with an 18-second period, a light cross-off breeze, and clean conditions. Then Wednesday afternoon goes glassy with a 6ft, 17 second swell. That's a proper, long-period groundswell at Chinamans, which is a reef, and that combination just spells quality.
Water temp on the 18th is sitting at 59°, which is about average for the time of year, so no wetsuit surprises.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Tue night, light winds from the SW by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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 16 | SW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 834 | 480 | 444 | 1714 | 1204 | 1571 | 1631 | 2002 | 1382 | 2790 | 2829 | 2653 | 2169 | 1638 | 2386 | 1654 | 924 | 581 | 799 | 744 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | on |
High Tide | 4:16PM0.66m | 5:12AM0.83m | 4:16PM0.57m | 5:43AM0.79m | 3:52PM0.52m | 6:19AM0.74m | 1:59PM0.52m | 7:29AM0.68m | 12:20PM0.72m | 12:56PM0.79m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:25PM0.09m | 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 | ||||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — |
mm | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 21 | WSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 834 | 480 | 444 | 69 | 1204 | 1571 | 1631 | 2002 | 1382 | 2790 | 2829 | 2653 | 2169 | 1638 | 2386 | 1654 | 924 | 581 | 799 | 307 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | W 10 | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | — | — | SSW 24 | SW 21 | SW 19 | — | — | — | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
| kJ | — | 4 | — | 64 | 452 | 422 | — | 244 | 984 | — | — | 54 | 287 | 614 | — | — | — | 66 | 184 | 154 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 259 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NNW 5 | W 7 | WSW 15 | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | W 4 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 24 | 64 | 348 | 1714 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 10 | 744 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 164 | 472 | 540 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 46 | 160 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 138 | 13 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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