Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 16s period, SW swell with 2,974 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 17s 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 2.2m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 2.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. This is a solid 16-day window for Chinamans, a reef setup that’s exposed to the SW swell. The water temp is sitting around 59° with a 1° anomaly, so pretty much average for this time of year—nothing wild.
The first real standout hits Thursday morning, August 20. The swell is 6 ft from the SW, period 16 seconds, with a WNW wind around 9 mph—clean, cross-off, solid energy in the water (2512). That’s a long-period groundswell, and on a reef like Chinamans, it’ll be well-shaped and powerful. Advanced surfers will love it. The only catch is crowds are sometimes an issue, but that’s true for most spots.
Another cracker comes Sunday, August 23. The afternoon session has 6 ft SW swell, 16-second period, and glassy conditions with next to no wind. That’s about as clean as it gets. Energy is strong (1809), and it’s a classic reef setup. Worth clearing your schedule for.
Then there’s a big pulse building toward late August. Thursday morning, August 27, sees a solid 12 ft SW swell with 16-second period—massive energy (6207), but that’s strictly for experts. The wind is fresh and cross-off, so it’ll be clean, but at that size, only the experienced crew should be out. The same goes for Wednesday afternoon, August 26, with 8 ft WSW swell, 19-second period, and clean conditions—again, big and powerful.
Saturday, August 29, is another glassy morning with 5 ft SW swell, 16 seconds, and zero wind. That’s a beauty for solid intermediate to advanced surfers. The energy is still strong (1577), and with glassy conditions, it’ll be a dream.
Overall, the best bets are the morning of Thursday, August 20, and the glassy Sunday afternoon on August 23. The big stuff on August 27 is for the brave only. The first few days are a bit average with wind and marginal conditions, but once that SW groundswell locks in, it’s game on.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 800 | 1174 | 834 | 480 | 444 | 1877 | 1520 | 1651 | 1571 | 2102 | 1382 | 2936 | 2758 | 2668 | 2266 | 1505 | 1290 | 1929 | 1123 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:43AM0.83m | 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 | |||||||||
Low Tide | 10:15PM0.08m | 10:49AM0.25m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | |  | |  | | | | |
 | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 7 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 21 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 668 | 1174 | 834 | 480 | 444 | 69 | 1520 | 1651 | 1571 | 2102 | 1382 | 2936 | 2758 | 2668 | 2266 | 1505 | 1290 | 1929 | 1123 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 17 | — | ENE 4 | NE 5 | SW 20 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 10 | SW 20 | SW 18 | — | — | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 18 | — | SW 21 |
| kJ | 800 | 287 | — | 2 | 1 | 64 | 275 | 909 | 137 | 244 | 973 | — | — | 87 | 224 | 546 | 614 | — | 18 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NNW 5 | W 8 | WSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 21 | 20 | 31 | 85 | 396 | 1877 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 166 | 79 | 81 | 164 | 168 | 726 | 7 | 7 | 717 | 7 | 7 | 32 | 0 | 7 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
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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