Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 18s period, SW swell with 8,877 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 4.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a coffee and let’s talk about what’s headed our way. We’ve got a solid 16-day window with waves coming through at Chinamans, a classic reef break that loves a good SW groundswell. Right now, water temps are sitting at 60°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year—nothing unusual to worry about there.
The first couple of days are a bit of a tease. Tuesday morning kicks off with a 5ft SW swell but the wind is howling out of the NNW at 25 mph, making it a real battle to get out there. The wave energy is already moderate at 1135, but it’s not worth the paddle. By Tuesday afternoon, the wind backs off to a cross-off 16 mph and the swell drops to 4ft, still clean but small. Wednesday gives us a bit more push—7ft to 8ft SW swells with moderate energy (2206 to 2169) and cross-off winds, but the surf is still just marginal. Nothing to get excited about yet.
Then Thursday rolls in, and the swell jumps to 10ft SW with a 14-second period, but the wind turns cross-shore and the wave energy climbs to over 3100. The sets are lumpy, and it’s more of a challenge than a treat. This is getting into expert territory.
Now, Friday the 4th of September is where things start to look interesting. Morning brings a 8ft SW swell with a 15-second period, clean offshore winds from the N at 16 mph, and wave energy of 3237. The afternoon cleans up even more with N winds at 12 mph. This is the kind of day where Chinamans starts to show its teeth—plenty of power, but still manageable for experienced surfers. Keep an eye on the crowds; it can get busy here.
Saturday the 5th turns nasty. The swell hits 12ft, but the wind is cross-shore and gusty, making for a lumpy mess. Wave energy spikes to over 5300, but it’s not worth it. Sunday the 6th is a better bet: 8ft SW swell, cross-off winds, and clean conditions. The wave energy is 2449, and the swell period holds at 15 seconds. This is a solid day for a paddle.
Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th are a write-off. Swell gets huge—13ft with 18-second periods and wave energy over 16,000—but the winds are onshore or cross-shore, and the break is overwhelmed. That’s big-wave territory, and only for the brave.
The real standout comes on Thursday the 10th of September. The swell is 8ft SW with a 15-second period, and the wind goes glassy—just 3 mph from the W. Wave energy is 2298, and conditions are pristine. That’s the kind of day you dream about: clean, powerful, and lined up perfectly on the reef. Friday the 11th is another cracker: 10ft SW swell, 17-second period, offshore N winds, and wave energy of 4541. This is groundswell gold, but the long period might make it break a bit fast at the beach—Chinamans being a reef, it’ll handle it beautifully.
The second week has its moments too. Tuesday the 15th of September offers a 8ft SW swell with an 18-second period, gentle offshore winds, and wave energy of 3523. That’s long-period groundswell with clean conditions—definitely worth a look, though it’s a bit further out, so keep that forecast in mind.
Overall, the best days to circle are Friday the 4th, Sunday the 6th, Thursday the 10th, and Friday the 11th. Thursday the 10th is the real gem—glassy, lined up, and just the right size. Don’t sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Wed night, light winds from the NNW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Fri night, light winds from the NNW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1135 | 754 | 1410 | 2185 | 2169 | 3009 | 3171 | 3163 | 3538 | 3237 | 2906 | 3086 | 4302 | 5224 | 4834 | 2449 | 1318 | 596 | 2295 | 4342 | 7255 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:39PM0.69m | 4:12AM0.91m | 3:51PM0.59m | 4:43AM0.92m | 3:53PM0.51m | 5:20AM0.90m | 3:32PM0.45m | 6:08AM0.84m | 7:40AM0.76m | 11:29AM0.78m | |||||||||||
Low Tide | 9:57AM0.12m | 9:37PM0.04m | 10:33AM0.18m | 9:47PM0.02m | 11:12AM0.26m | 9:58PM0.00m | 12:03PM0.37m | 10:08PM0.00m | 10:11PM0.02m | 9:54PM0.06m | 9:04PM0.10m | ||||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | — | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | NNW 5 | — | — |
1135 | 754 | 1410 | 2185 | 2169 | 774 | — | 3163 | 3538 | 3237 | 2906 | 1014 | 1020 | 5224 | 4834 | 2449 | 1318 | 596 | 4 | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 14 | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | S 23 | NNW 5 | — | — |
— | 387 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 11 | 8 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 23 | — | — | — |
— | — | 311 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | WSW 6 | W 4 | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | — | NNW 4 | N 4 | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | WNW 6 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 19 |
72 | 64 | — | 21 | 31 | 3009 | 3171 | — | — | 18 | 17 | 3086 | 4302 | — | — | 20 | 66 | 179 | 2295 | 4342 | 7255 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1189 | 7 | 32 | 7 | 540 | 726 | 1186 | 506 | 0 | 163 | 0 | 1195 | 1186 | 1338 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 184 | 546 | 717 |
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.











