
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, SW swell with 6,632 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m 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 3.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Chinamans. This is a solid reef break that needs a good SW groundswell to light up, and we’ve got one coming—but we’ve got to be patient.
The water is sitting at 59°, which is right about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first few days are a write-off. Tuesday the 8th kicks off with some swell, 7ft from the SW, but the wind is a mess. Morning is a light cross-on with weak energy (2622), and by the afternoon a strong SW wind of 25 km/h has it choppy and blown out. Wednesday the 9th is even worse—strong SE winds at 35 km/h on a 10ft SW swell, creating a lumpy, unsurfable mess. That massive energy (6690) is wasted. Thursday and Friday are more of the same: moderate cross-onshore winds, lumpy conditions, and scores that just aren’t worth paddling out for.
We finally get a bit of a window on Saturday the 12th. The swell drops to 6ft, but the wind swings NNE at 20 km/h, going cross-offshore. The wave energy is moderate (1314), and the break cleans up nicely. Saturday afternoon stays clean with 5ft SW swell. It’s a small session, but the best we’ve seen so far. Sunday the 13th stays clean with a cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is down to 4ft and the energy is weak (909). It’s a longboard or a funboard kind of day.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday the 16th afternoon is a standout. The wind turns NE at just 10 km/h, going cross-offshore, and the swell is a solid 7ft from the SW with a period of 16 seconds—that’s a nice long-period groundswell. The wave energy is moderate (1953), and the report says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is a reef break, so that long period will wrap in nicely. Expect clean, lined-up waves. This is the pick of the first week.
Thursday the 17th is also excellent. The morning has a 5ft SW swell with a clean offshore wind from the N at 20 km/h. The energy is moderate (1154), and the conditions are clean. The afternoon gets even better—the wind drops to glassy, absolutely flat calm, with a 5ft SW swell. That’s a rare treat. This is the best session on offer.
After that, the swell pulses again. Friday the 18th afternoon has a 6ft swell from the WSW, but the wind is light cross-offshore. The energy is moderate (1225), and it’s clean but not as crisp as the day before. Saturday the 19th morning is a bit of a gamble: a 6ft SW swell with a fresh 30 km/h offshore wind from the NNW, so it’s clean but powerful. The energy is moderate (1996), and it’s only for the experienced. The afternoon jumps to 8ft SW, which is expert territory, and the wind goes cross-offshore.
Looking into the second week, things get more uncertain. Sunday the 20th has a 7ft to 8ft SW swell but with cross-onshore or cross-shore winds, so it’s marginal. Monday the 21st is similar—8ft SW but cross-onshore, making it choppy. Tuesday the 22nd cleans up with a NNE cross-offshore breeze, but the swell drops to 7ft. A decent option.
The last possible standout is Wednesday the 23rd morning. A big 10ft SW swell with a clean cross-offshore wind from the WNW. The energy is strong (4643), but that’s a big wave for a reef break—expert only. The afternoon turns to poor conditions with a strong SW wind.
So, if you’re looking for the best of the best, get out there on Thursday the 17th. Glassy conditions in the afternoon with a solid 5ft SW groundswell. That’s the one to point your board at. Wednesday the 16th afternoon is a close second with clean 7ft surf.
Stay safe, and keep an eye on the wind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Tue morning, strong winds from the SSE by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat night, min 13°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2622 | 2326 | 2404 | 6632 | 6323 | 4553 | 3293 | 2692 | 1460 | 1343 | 1715 | 1759 | 1314 | 988 | 663 | 909 | 783 | 535 | 387 | 891 | 169 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 12:33PM0.85m | 2:08AM0.36m | 1:12PM0.89m | 1:56AM0.47m | 1:43PM0.90m | 2:08AM0.60m | 2:11PM0.87m | 2:29AM0.72m | 2:36PM0.82m | 2:51AM0.82m | 2:58PM0.75m | 3:15AM0.88m | 3:16PM0.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:31PM0.11m | 6:00AM0.26m | 8:23PM0.10m | 7:02AM0.17m | 8:25PM0.08m | 7:47AM0.09m | 8:34PM0.06m | 8:25AM0.05m | 8:44PM0.04m | 9:00AM0.04m | 8:56PM0.02m | 9:32AM0.06m | 9:08PM0.02m | ||||||||
6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 8 |
2622 | 1214 | 2404 | 6632 | 6323 | 4553 | 3293 | 2692 | 1460 | 1343 | 1715 | 1759 | 1314 | 988 | 663 | 909 | 783 | 535 | 387 | 313 | 79 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 26 | SW 25 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | E 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 13 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | 393 | 1 | 51 | 5 | 59 | 154 | 106 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | N 4 | — | — | SW 16 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 169 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 16 | S 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | E 3 | — | N 4 | N 4 | NNE 4 | N 5 | W 6 | — | W 4 | SW 18 | SE 3 |
— | 2326 | 31 | 58 | 50 | 38 | 28 | 13 | 20 | 4 | 2 | — | 12 | 8 | 17 | 42 | 31 | — | 1 | 891 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 546 | 32 | 1226 | 1836 | 29 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 79 | 74 | 79 | 81 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 717 | 46 |
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.










