Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 19s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, SW swell with 3,747 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s 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 24) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 2.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming down the line for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, but it’s a mixed bag with some real standouts and a few days best left for the kites. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
The action kicks off this Sunday afternoon, the 23rd of August, at Chinamans (a reef setup). We’re looking at a clean 6ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is pumping at 1787 (moderate to strong). A light cross-offshore breeze from the NNE will have it glassy. This is quality stuff for experienced surfers – that long period means proper lines, but on a reef break like this, it’ll be holding up nicely. It’s a fairly consistent spot, so expect some waves. Crowds are a possibility here, so get in early.
Monday the 24th drops off a bit. Morning has a cross-shore chop on a 4ft SW swell, and the afternoon is cleaner but smaller at 4ft. Nothing to write home about.
Tuesday the 25th is a write-off. Strong cross-onshore winds and a lumpy 8ft SW swell. The energy is massive at 4730, but the quality is cooked. This is more of a kite surfing day than a paddle day.
Wednesday the 26th is where it gets good again. Morning brings a clean 5ft SW groundswell (13 sec) with a light offshore from the N. The energy is moderate at 804, but with those offshore winds, it’ll be peeling nicely. The afternoon is even cleaner with a gentle offshore from the NNW, dropping to 4ft. This is a top pick for the week.
Thursday the 27th morning stays clean with a moderate offshore wind on a 4ft SW swell. The afternoon sees the period jump way up to 20 seconds with a 5ft swell, but it’s a cross-offshore breeze. The energy is solid at 2130, and that period is incredibly long. That’s a caveat for a beach break, but at a reef like Chinamans, it’ll be a thing of beauty.
Friday the 28th is another standout. The afternoon session is the best of the day: a clean 6ft SW swell with a 16-second period, cross-offshore breeze, and energy at 1787. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The morning is similar but slightly bigger at 7ft and also clean.
The weekend of the 29th and 30th is a bit of a downer. Light cross-onshore winds and a building swell – the energy is still there (2401 on Sunday morning), but the wind is on it, making it marginal.
Now, we jump into the following week. Monday the 31st of August is a beauty. Morning has a clean 7ft SW swell (16 sec) with a light cross-offshore breeze. The afternoon is glassy with a light offshore from the NNW and a 6ft swell. Both sessions are rated excellent for experienced surfers.
Tuesday the 1st of September keeps the clean run going with a moderate offshore wind on a 6ft SW swell in the morning. The energy is still strong at 1262. Wednesday the 2nd is smaller but still clean with offshore winds.
Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are a bit of a mixed bag. Thursday is small and clean, but the real event is Friday afternoon. A massive 10ft SW swell on a 16-second period, with energy exploding at 5432. The wind is a fresh cross-offshore, keeping it clean. This is expert territory only – 10ft is big, and the power is extreme. The morning is also big at 8ft with a fresh offshore, but the afternoon is the giant.
Saturday the 5th of September gets messy. A strong cross-shore wind on an 8ft SW swell – the energy is high at 4368, but the chop will make it a mess. Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th are a write-off with gale-force winds. The swell is small and windblown, producing very poor conditions. The period drops to 7 seconds on Monday, which is just wind slop. There’s a two-day gap of no good surf here.
The best session on offer? It’s a tight call between Sunday the 23rd, Friday the 28th afternoon, Monday the 31st, and Friday the 4th of September afternoon. For the overall quality, wave size, and clean conditions, I’m calling Monday the 31st of August as the top pick. A clean 7ft SW groundswell, light winds, and that 16-second period will have Chinamans firing with proper lines.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 11°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Mon night, calm by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu night, min 12°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1787 | 1123 | 581 | 422 | 680 | 2516 | 1862 | 1139 | 755 | 591 | 209 | 499 | 1491 | 3747 | 2316 | 1787 | 1196 | 874 | 892 | 512 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 12:56PM0.79m | 3:38AM0.37m | 1:22PM0.86m | 2:36AM0.40m | 1:44PM0.90m | 2:26AM0.46m | 2:05PM0.93m | 2:32AM0.53m | 2:25PM0.93m | 2:45AM0.61m | 2:45PM0.90m | 3:02AM0.70m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:39PM0.15m | 9:15PM0.15m | 5:30AM0.36m | 9:03PM0.14m | 6:37AM0.29m | 8:59PM0.13m | 7:15AM0.22m | 9:00PM0.11m | 7:48AM0.16m | 9:04PM0.10m | 8:19AM0.12m | 9:11PM0.08m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | |
5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | N 4 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
1787 | 1123 | 581 | 422 | 4 | 2516 | 1862 | 1139 | 755 | 591 | 177 | 499 | 1491 | 3747 | 2316 | 1787 | 1196 | 874 | 892 | 512 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 20 | SW 18 | E 4 | — | — | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 21 | SW 14 | — | — | N 5 | NNW 4 | — | SW 20 | SW 21 |
— | — | 38 | 121 | 1 | — | — | 7 | 49 | 129 | 209 | 445 | 639 | — | — | 31 | 7 | — | 15 | 218 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 20 | — | N 5 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 24 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 24 | — |
— | — | 15 | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNE 4 | NE 4 | SW 13 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 4 | N 4 | — | N 5 | — | — | — | SW 13 | SE 4 |
— | — | 6 | 13 | 680 | 2214 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 22 | 12 | — | 50 | — | — | — | 509 | 9 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 32 | 32 | 46 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 |
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.











