Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 5,596 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 18s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 18s 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line.
We’ve got a solid run of SW groundswell on the way for Chinamans, a reef setup that loves a good SW direction. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so a wetsuit won’t be needed just yet. The real action kicks off from Monday the 31st.
The weekend is a bit of a write-off. Sunday the 30th is rough with a messy cross-onshore breeze and fairly choppy surf at around 4ft to 5ft. Not worth paddling out.
Now, Monday the 31st is where it starts to get interesting. The morning brings a 7ft SW swell with a clean cross-offshore wind from the NE. The combined energy is strong (3877), and the period is a meaty 19 seconds – that’s long-period groundswell. For a reef break like Chinamans, this is prime territory. The waves will have plenty of push and shape, though be ready for some longer waits between sets. This is for advanced surfers only. The afternoon holds similar size but a touch less energy.
The standout window, the one to mark on your calendar, is Monday the 7th of September. The morning sees a solid 13ft SW swell with a moderate cross-shore wind, still manageable, but the afternoon is the real gem. We’re looking at 11ft of SW swell with a 18-second period and a clean cross-offshore breeze from the West. The combined energy is massive at 8534. This is big, powerful, and clean – expert territory for sure. If you’ve got the skills and the board, this is the session to chase.
The rest of the run holds plenty of size, with Tuesday the 8th and Friday the 11th also offering solid 8ft to 13ft waves and clean conditions. A couple of days in the second week, like Saturday the 12th, have some onshore chop that will mess things up. The far end, around Sunday the 14th, has a glassy morning with 7ft swell and a 14-second period – that’ll be a clean, fun session before the wind swings.
Overall, there’s a lot of swell in the water, but it’s mostly for advanced and expert surfers. Beginners should steer clear, especially when the swell is over 8ft. Keep an eye on that Monday 7th afternoon – that’s the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the NNW by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri night, min 13°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Thu night, strong winds from the N by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 449 | 1747 | 1818 | 3397 | 2912 | 1809 | 1028 | 754 | 1581 | 2054 | 2680 | 2756 | 1991 | 2012 | 5596 | 3876 | 2869 | 2122 | 2758 | 3280 | 2094 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:05PM0.85m | 3:22AM0.78m | 3:23PM0.77m | 3:46AM0.86m | 3:39PM0.69m | 4:12AM0.91m | 3:51PM0.59m | 4:43AM0.92m | 3:53PM0.51m | 5:20AM0.90m | 3:32PM0.45m | 6:08AM0.84m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 9:19PM0.07m | 9:24AM0.09m | 9:27PM0.05m | 9:57AM0.12m | 9:37PM0.04m | 10:33AM0.18m | 9:47PM0.02m | 11:12AM0.26m | 9:58PM0.00m | 12:03PM0.37m | 10:08PM0.00m | 10:11PM0.02m | |||||||||
 | |  | | | |  |  |  | | | |  | | |  |  |  | | |  | |
 | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 10 | 13 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | — | SW 15 |
| kJ | 449 | 1747 | 1818 | 3397 | 2912 | 1809 | 1028 | 754 | 658 | 2054 | 2680 | 1528 | 1991 | 2012 | 5596 | 3876 | 2869 | 2122 | 724 | — | 2094 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 21 | SSW 19 | — | — | — | SW 14 | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 |
| kJ | 388 | 312 | 365 | 480 | — | — | — | 387 | 476 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 249 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | WNW 5 | SW 15 | WSW 6 | W 5 | SW 14 | — | WSW 13 | — | — | N 6 | NW 6 | SW 15 | SW 15 | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 78 | 87 | 1581 | 73 | 74 | 2756 | — | 1326 | — | — | 139 | 97 | 2758 | 3280 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 81 | 726 | 138 | 546 | 7 | 162 | 168 | 506 | 329 | 0 | 162 | 11 | 162 | 726 | 745 | 32 |
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.
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