Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.2°C
0.8° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, SW swell with 7,127 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 16s. 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 3.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Sun 6th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s
Best Surf12PM (Sun 6th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s
Most Powerful12PM (Wed 9th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, mates, Rusty here. We’ve got the next 16 days for Chinamans, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. This is a reef setup, so we’re looking at a wave that can handle a bit of size, but the wind is going to be the real story. The water’s sitting at 59°, which is pretty average for the time of year, nothing unusual there.

The first sign of something worth paddling out for hits on Friday, September 4th, afternoon. We’ve got a solid 8ft of SW swell, with a very long 16-second period and a combined energy of 3455 (moderate). The wind is cross-off from the NNE at 16 mph, so it’ll be clean. It’s a promising start, but the forecast says it’s marginal, so keep an eye on the tide.

Saturday, September 5th is a write-off. That SW swell bumps up to 12ft, but the wind is howling from the W at 31 mph in the morning and 28 mph in the afternoon. It’s going to be a mess. Don’t bother.

Sunday, September 6th is a bit of a letdown. The swell is still 8ft in the morning and 7ft in the afternoon, with a long 14-second period, but the wind is cross at 9 mph. The energy is moderate (2357 and 1762), but it’s only a marginal call. It’s not firing.

Monday, September 7th and Tuesday, September 8th are small and weak. The swell drops to 4ft on Monday, and the wind is cross-on and choppy. Tuesday has a bit more size at 7ft, with a very long period of 17 seconds, but the wind is still cross. This is a spot where that long period might make it a bit straight, but it’s worth a look if you’re desperate.

Now, Wednesday, September 9th and Thursday, September 10th are for experts only. The swell is 7ft to 10ft, but the wind is onshore and strong, with cross-on sides. The energy is strong (4868 on Wednesday morning, 6392 on Wednesday afternoon). It’s going to be a war zone. This is more kite-surfing territory than paddle surfing.

The next real standout, and the best of the first week, is Saturday, September 12th. Come afternoon, the swell is 4ft from the SW with a very long 18-second period, and the wind is glassy from the ENE at 3 mph. The energy is moderate (1471), and it’s described as “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s a window of pure, clean, glassy waves. If you can get out there, do it.

The second week starts with a bit of a drop-off. Sunday, September 14th and Monday, September 15th are small, with the swell dropping to 3ft and the wind cross-on and fresh. Not much going on.

Tuesday, September 15th afternoon gets a bit of a bump, with 6ft from the WSW, but the wind is cross-on and choppy. Not great.

The real standout for the whole 16-day window, and the one that’s worth a serious mark on the calendar, is Friday, September 18th. The afternoon session is looking special. We’ve got a solid 12ft SW swell, a 13-second period, and a combined energy of 4681 (moderate). The wind is glassy from the ENE at 3 mph. That’s a big, clean swell with no wind. It’s for experienced surfers only, but it’s a dream.

Then Saturday, September 19th finishes strong. The morning has 7ft from the WSW, with a cross-off wind. The afternoon is pumping with 12ft from the SW, a 17-second period, and a combined energy of 6281 (strong). The wind is clean cross-off at 9 mph. It’s a solid finish to the period.

Overall, the standout is that glassy Friday, September 18th afternoon. Saturday, September 12th afternoon is a close second. Everything else is a battle with the wind or a wait for the next pulse.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WNW on Fri night, light winds from the SW by Sun afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Tue morning, strong winds from the SSE by Tue night).

Fri
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
1
0
0
4
3
3
1
0
1
1
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
3.5
WSW
10
3.5
SW
12
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
14
1.6
SW
19
2.1
SW
17
2.1
SW
16
2.2
SW
16
1.8
SW
20
3
SW
18
3
SW
17
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.1
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3455
2329
2522
3575
3781
2357
1762
933
473
518
1691
2622
2193
2404
2511
6334
6015
4261
3293
1900
Wind (km/h)
25
NNE
35
NW
50
W
45
WSW
25
WSW
15
WSW
15
SW
15
SSE
20
ESE
15
ESE
20
ESE
10
E
15
SW
30
S
40
SSE
35
SSE
30
SE
25
ESE
25
E
25
ESE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
3:32PM0.45m
6:08AM0.84m
7:40AM0.76m
11:29AM0.78m
12:33PM0.85m
2:08AM0.36m
1:12PM0.89m
1:56AM0.47m
1:43PM0.90m
2:08AM0.60m
Low Tide
10:08PM0.00m
10:11PM0.02m
9:54PM0.06m
9:04PM0.10m
8:31PM0.11m
6:00AM0.26m
8:23PM0.10m
7:02AM0.17m
8:25PM0.08m
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:08
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
18
16
13
13
13
14
13
13
12
13
11
13
13
12
12
12
10
11
11
11
Feels °C
14
11
3
4
7
11
10
10
9
10
7
12
10
9
3
3
3
6
5
6
  • Map Icons:
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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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