
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 2,686 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's cookin' at Chinamans.
We’ve got a solid run of swell on the way, but it's not gonna be all clean and perfect. The water’s sitting around 60°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there. First real action worth getting excited about is Thursday the 17th in the afternoon. The wind is going glassy (3 mph from the NNW), and we'll have a clean 4.6ft swell rolling in from the SW with a period of 14 seconds. That's some decent groundswell energy, and with glassy conditions, the reef is gonna look like a mirror. The combined energy is moderate at 778, so it's not a beast, but it’ll be clean and fun. That Thursday afternoon is a standout for anyone who wants silky waves.
Friday the 18th is also looking good. Morning has a clean 4.3ft SW swell with a 17-second period and a solid offshore wind from the N at 16 mph. That’s a long-period groundswell, which means the waves will have real shape and punch, but at a reef like Chinamans, that kind of period can make things a bit more lined up and less forgiving. The energy is moderate (929). The afternoon stays clean with a gentler offshore breeze and a 3.6ft swell.
Saturday the 19th will be smaller, with a morning clean 2.6ft swell and offshore winds, but the swell is dropping off. The combined energy is weak at 274. Still rideable for a log, but not the main event.
Hold onto your board for Tuesday the 22nd. We get a nice pulse of SW groundswell at 7.5ft with a 15-second period. The combined energy is a strong 2431, so there’s real power in the water. The wind is cross-off from the NE at 9 mph, keeping it clean. This is a standout for the more experienced crew. It's a bit big for beginners, but for advanced surfers, this is where it gets good. Crowds are possible at this spot sometimes, so get out there early.
Things get wild on the 26th of September. Saturday morning you’re looking at a massive 16.4ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period. The combined energy is an enormous 26150. For Chinamans, that’s just too big. It’s a reef break, and that kind of energy is only for the absolute experts, if anyone. The wind is onshore from the S at 22 mph, so the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Afternoon is similar with 14.8ft.
The very end of the month, on the 30th of September, finishes off clean. Wednesday has glassy conditions in the afternoon with a gentle 4.3ft SW swell. A nice, clean, easy wave to end the window.
So, the best of the best: Thursday 17th afternoon for that glassy, clean 4.6ft, and Tuesday 22nd for the bigger, punchy 7.5ft clean swell. The big stuff on the 26th is a spectacle, but not one for paddling.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat night, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2525 | 2544 | 2424 | 2686 | 2620 | 2048 | 1079 | 776 | 1275 | 929 | 525 | 341 | 212 | 166 | 197 | 1108 | 432 | 453 | 790 | 827 | 2075 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:32PM0.60m | 4:02AM0.91m | 3:40PM0.53m | 4:25AM0.88m | 3:39PM0.48m | 4:48AM0.82m | 3:20PM0.45m | 5:13AM0.75m | 2:19PM0.45m | 5:43AM0.66m | 12:15PM0.61m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:02AM0.10m | 9:19PM0.02m | 10:31AM0.16m | 9:29PM0.03m | 10:57AM0.25m | 9:36PM0.04m | 11:22AM0.34m | 9:38PM0.06m | 11:49AM0.43m | 9:34PM0.08m | 9:19PM0.10m | 8:52PM0.12m | |||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | N 4 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 |
2525 | 2544 | 2424 | 2686 | 2620 | 2048 | 1079 | 776 | 1275 | 929 | 525 | 341 | 212 | 166 | 93 | 2 | 432 | 453 | 790 | 827 | 2075 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | SSW 17 | — | — | W 6 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 8 | — | SW 16 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 255 | — | — | 11 | 58 | 119 | 197 | 88 | 4 | 73 | — | 271 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | W 6 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | SSE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | ENE 3 | — | NNW 4 | N 4 | NNE 4 | N 4 | N 4 | NNW 4 | WSW 16 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | SE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 |
6 | 6 | 17 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | 15 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 21 | 26 | 1108 | 97 | 136 | 1 | 6 | 25 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 32 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 85 | 160 | 717 | 7 | 7 | 32 | 7 |
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.










