
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 19s period, SW swell with 9,634 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s 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 (Aug 09) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 16s period. 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 3.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, switching to feet and fahrenheit.
We’re looking at Chinamans, a reef break that’s only for the advanced crew. The water’s sitting at 59°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real chance to get wet is Saturday afternoon, August 8th. We’ve got a solid 6ft SW groundswell running with a very long 15-second period, pumping 1432 units of energy. The wind is a cross-off from the NNE at 12 mph, which should keep it clean. It’s a decent start, but the forecast is a bit marginal, so don’t expect perfection. Sunday morning the 9th is similar but a touch smaller at 5ft and a bit breezier, so maybe give it a miss.
Sunday afternoon, though, looks like the first real standout. The swell holds at 6ft from the SW, the period stretches to 16 seconds, and the energy jumps to 2012. The wind drops to a light 6 mph from the WNW, staying cross-off. That’s clean, lined-up reef surf – experienced surfers, this is your window. It’s not too big, but the quality is there.
Then things get ugly. Monday the 10th through Thursday the 13th is a write-off. The swell pumps up to 12ft, but the wind is howling from the SW and WSW at 19 to 31 mph, creating a messy cross-shore chop. The energy readings are huge – over 10,000 at one point – but this is only for the brave or the foolish. It’s too big for beginners, and even for the experienced, the wind is ruining it. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing during this stretch.
Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th are still on the big side, 10ft and 8ft, but the wind is lighter and onshore, so it’s bumpy and not great. The energy is still high, but the quality is marginal.
We get a bit of a breather from Sunday the 16th, with the swell dropping back to 5ft to 6ft, but the wind is onshore from the SE, so it’s not great.
Now, the real second half of the forecast shapes up nicely. From Monday the 17th of August right through to the end of the window, we see a consistent run of clean, offshore winds. Monday the 17th has 5ft SW swell, with light NNE winds, and the energy is moderate. Tuesday the 18th is similar, with a 6ft SW swell and cross-off winds.
The big standout in this second week is Friday the 21st of August. We’ve got a 8ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period, packing 3325 units of energy. The wind is offshore from the NNW at 12 mph, which will groom it perfectly. This is the best on offer for the whole period – clean, powerful, and long-period lines. It’s a bit big for beginners, but for the advanced crew, this is the session to circle. The crowds are possible at times, so get in early.
The following days, Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd, hold similar quality with offshore winds, though the swell eases off a bit and then picks back up to 8ft on the Sunday. The Sunday looks a bit more powerful but the wind is cross-off, so still clean.
Overall, there’s a rough patch in the middle of the first week, but the bookends are good. The real gold is Sunday afternoon the 9th and Friday the 21st.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Mon morning). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the SW by Thu night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1432 | 1155 | 1185 | 1474 | 8069 | 7459 | 5601 | 2453 | 1290 | 2448 | 6522 | 7402 | 7178 | 5179 | 5041 | 4327 | 3466 | 4721 | 3840 | 2982 | |
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-on | cross | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:06AM0.88m | 12:25PM0.97m | 2:55AM0.27m | 1:14PM1.05m | 2:11AM0.35m | 1:53PM1.08m | 2:26AM0.46m | 2:27PM1.08m | 2:49AM0.57m | 2:57PM1.03m | 3:17AM0.67m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 11:05PM0.12m | 10:18PM0.14m | 9:24PM0.14m | 4:16AM0.27m | 9:11PM0.13m | 6:22AM0.21m | 9:14PM0.12m | 7:25AM0.15m | 9:24PM0.11m | 8:14AM0.11m | 9:36PM0.09m | |||||||||
— | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | |
mm | 1 | 11 | 3 | 10 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | — | — | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 18 | — | SW 18 | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
1432 | 1155 | 1185 | 1474 | — | — | 5601 | 2453 | 1290 | 2448 | — | 2195 | — | — | 2594 | 4327 | 3466 | 4721 | 3840 | 2982 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNW 5 | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | 20 | 264 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 21 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 538 | — | — | — | — | — | 223 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | N 6 | N 5 | — | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | — | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — |
18 | 146 | 36 | — | 8069 | 7459 | 4760 | — | 77 | 77 | 6522 | 7402 | 7178 | 5179 | 5041 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 112 | 81 | 0 | 526 | 645 | 968 | 7 | 726 | 668 | 540 | 729 | 1186 | 745 | 729 | 717 | 162 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











