Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 02 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.0° C
0.0° 

Chinamans surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Chinamans surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 6,207 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 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 (Aug 04) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 3PM. 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Tue 4th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 15s
Best Surf12PM (Tue 4th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sun 9th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the ol’ 16-day crystal ball for one of our go-to reef setups. There’s definitely swell on the horizon, but we’ve got a bit of a bumpy ride to get there.

First thing to call out: the water temp at Chinamans is sittin’ at 59°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no need to hunt for extra rubber just yet.

Alright, let’s get into it. The week kicks off proper on Sunday, August 2nd. The morning’s a write-off thanks to a chilly 35 km/h NNW howler, but the swell’s already pushin’ 6ft from the SW at 16 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy (1405). By Sunday afternoon, the wind swings to a cross-off from the W, still fresh but cleaner. The swell jumps to a meaty 8ft out of the WSW (3324). That’s a touch on the big side, more for the lads who know their way around the reef.

Monday, August 3rd, keeps the 8ft SW/WSW swell pumping but the wind drops to 25 km/h from the SW, putting it straight cross-shore and a bit bumpy (4459 on Monday arvo). It’s surfable but messy.

Tuesday, August 4th, is where we start to see some real promise. The morning is a no-go with a light onshore, but Tuesday afternoon? Glassy. Dead calm, 0 km/h wind, and a clean 4ft SW swell at 15 seconds (865). That is as good as it gets for a session – no wind, clean lines, and the reef workin’ its magic. This is a standout.

Wednesday, August 5th, the morning sees small 3ft swell but a 19-second period – very long groundswell. Not much size but incredible energy. The afternoon gets a nice 4ft with an 18-second period and a solid NW offshore (1103). Another top-notch window for the crew who like it clean and lined up.

The rest of the first week stays tidy. Thursday morning, August 6th, is clear with a light NNW offshore and 4ft SW swell (990), glassy and fun. Friday, August 7th, the swell bumps up to 8ft out of the SW (2800), but you’ve got a 25 km/h NNE cross-off wind that’ll keep things clean enough for the experienced. Saturday, August 8th, is a bit of a gamble – a wild 50 km/h N offshore makes paddling a nightmare, even if the 7ft swell looks tempting (1954). Sunday, August 9th, we get smashed by a 50-40 km/h SW cross-wind and a massive 12ft swell (6207 arvo). That’s all sorts of ugly. Kite surfers might be frothin’, but for a paddle surfer, you’re better off havin’ a beer.

Now we hit the second week, and this is where it gets interesting for the real heavy hitters. Monday, August 10th, the swell peaks at 15ft from the SW (14323) – that’s a beast. The wind is a moderate cross-shore, so it’s gonna be a heap of raw power, only for the absolute experts.

The true standout of the entire outlook is Tuesday, August 11th. Morning sees a clear sky, 12ft of SW groundswell at 16 seconds (5335), and a light NNE cross-off breeze. It’s clean, it’s big, and the period is perfect for this reef – that’s a day to call in sick.

Wednesday, August 12th, keeps the 12-13ft size with moderate cross-off winds, but you’re gettin’ a bit of chop. Thursday, August 13th, the swell is still 12-13ft with a strong NNW offshore up to 40 km/h. It’ll be clean but a bloody mission to paddle into. Friday, August 14th, the wind swings wild again, a 60 km/h W cross-off, then a WSW cross-shore, and the surf just turns to slop and danger. Saturday, August 15th, through Sunday, August 16th, is a write-off. The swell drops to 8-10ft, but strong SW cross-onshore winds ruin it (6168 on Saturday arvo). Monday, August 17th, the wind eases to a light cross-onshore, and the 7-8ft swell returns with a 14-second period (2557), but the quality is just marginal.

To sum it up: the very best windows are the glassy Tuesday afternoon, August 4th, with 4ft, and the clean, groundswell goodness of Wednesday afternoon, August 5th. For the big-wave legends, that Tuesday morning, August 11th, with 12ft and clean conditions is the payoff after a week of wind. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sun night, calm by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu afternoon, strong winds from the N by Fri night).

Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
0
3
3
1
2
3
3
2
4
2
3
4
4
3
2
2
1
3
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SW
16
2.5
WSW
15
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
14
2.5
WSW
13
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.3
SW
15
0.8
SW
20
0.9
SW
19
1.3
SW
18
1.3
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
2.3
SW
16
2.3
SW
17
2.1
SW
17
1.9
SW
16
2
SW
16
2.1
SW
15
3
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1384
2634
4004
2643
2394
1120
786
757
483
529
1019
966
793
886
2700
2800
2442
1901
1929
1833
4038
Wind (km/h)
35
NNW
35
W
35
WSW
25
SW
25
SW
15
SSW
5
SSE
0
W
10
NNE
20
N
20
NW
15
NW
10
NNW
10
NW
15
NE
25
NNE
25
NNE
40
N
50
N
30
NW
55
W
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
3:48PM0.94m
4:17AM0.69m
4:06PM0.85m
4:45AM0.76m
4:21PM0.75m
5:18AM0.80m
4:29PM0.65m
5:59AM0.83m
4:19PM0.55m
6:55AM0.84m
8:33AM0.83m
Low Tide
10:24PM0.15m
9:54AM0.23m
10:33PM0.15m
10:33AM0.28m
10:42PM0.14m
11:17AM0.35m
10:51PM0.12m
12:14PM0.44m
11:00PM0.11m
11:08PM0.10m
11:05PM0.12m
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:13
7:11
7:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:39
5:40
5:42
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:45
 mm
1
1
5
5
1
9
Temp °C
13
14
14
12
12
12
11
11
11
13
12
13
14
14
14
15
15
16
13
16
11
Feels °C
6
6
6
6
6
7
9
10
8
8
7
12
12
12
12
10
9
9
5
10
-1
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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