Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 19s period, SW swell with 4,219 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 2.4m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. Right now, Chinamans is flat out messy – cross-onshore, no good. But don’t sweat it, because the good stuff is coming.
Wednesday morning (August 26th) flips the switch. Light offshore wind from the NNW, and clean 1.6m SW swell with a period of 13 seconds. Wave energy is moderate (877). That afternoon it’s 1.3m, still clean. This is your first real window and it’s looking nice.
Thursday (August 27th) keeps the offshore wind going. Morning has 1.2m SW groundswell at 14 seconds, and afternoon pumps up to 1.6m with more energy (1859) and clean faces. Reef’s going to be working well.
Then we get a bit of a flat spot from Friday (28th) through to Tuesday morning (September 1st). Cross and cross-on winds, marginal conditions – nothing worth chasing.
Monday (August 31st) is another gem. Morning: cross-off breeze, 2.2m SW at 16 seconds, clean. Afternoon: straight offshore, 2.0m, 16 seconds, glassy. This is Chinamans at its prime – solid groundswell, proper sets. Experienced surfers only.
After a rough patch with strong winds and mess through the 1st and 2nd, Friday (September 4th) brings clean offshore conditions again: 1–1.6m SW groundswell, very long periods (15 to 16 seconds). Excellent and clean.
The absolute standout is Sunday (September 6th). Morning is glassy – no wind, 3.0m SW groundswell at 16 seconds. That is huge, powerful, and perfect. Afternoon stays clean with a light offshore, 2.5m SW at 15 seconds. Energy readings are massive (4381 and 3367). Experts only – this is the day.
After that, Monday (7th) and Tuesday (8th) still have big swell (up to 3.5m) but the wind turns messy. Wednesday (9th) and beyond are onshore and lumpy.
So the two best windows: Wednesday-Thursday (Aug 26–27) for clean, manageable surf, and Sunday (Sept 6) for big, firing, expert-level conditions. Crowds at Chinamans can show up sometimes, so on those clean days, expect some company.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue morning, calm by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2832 | 2114 | 1238 | 827 | 591 | 232 | 565 | 1016 | 3122 | 2537 | 1809 | 1011 | 802 | 503 | 315 | 634 | 3262 | 3753 | 2434 | 1929 | 1262 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:05PM0.85m | 3:22AM0.78m | 3:23PM0.77m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:51AM0.09m | 9:19PM0.07m | 9:24AM0.09m | 9:27PM0.05m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 1806 | 2114 | 1238 | 827 | 591 | 232 | 565 | 1016 | 3122 | 2537 | 1809 | 1011 | 802 | 503 | 315 | 287 | 3262 | 3753 | 2434 | 1929 | 1262 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 21 | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | SW 23 | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 7 | 50 | 129 | 171 | 287 | 843 | — | — | — | — | 21 | 82 | 220 | 634 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | SSW 12 | ESE 3 | — | — | N 4 |
| kJ | 2832 | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 2 | 121 | 7 | — | — | 10 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 609 | 46 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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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