Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 13 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.1° C
0.5° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 4,566 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Fri 14th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 14th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 3AM (Fri 14th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, giving you the lowdown on Chinamans for the next couple of weeks.

This is a classic exposed reef break, and it's got some serious potential. The water is about 59°, which is normal for this time of year, so nothing to worry about.

We kick things off on Thursday, August 13th, with a big, powerful SW groundswell. The combined energy is massive – over 4000 – with waves around 10 feet. The wind is messy on the morning, but it cleans up by the afternoon as it turns cross-offshore. Still, 10-foot surf on a reef is for experts only.

The real standout is Friday morning, August 14th. The swell is still a solid 10 feet from the SW, with a 16-second period, meaning it's a proper long-period groundswell. The combined energy is nearly 4000. But the wind is the key here – a light, 6 mph cross-offshore breeze. That's going to glass the wave faces up. It's described as excellent for experienced surfers, and that's the truth. It's going to be clean, powerful, and reeling down the reef. The paddle out will be a mission, but the longer gaps between sets will help. This is the best session of the whole forecast.

The wind goes onshore from the ESE from Friday afternoon through the weekend. The swell drops a bit to 6-7 feet, but the combined energy is still high (over 2000). The chop and onshore wind will make it a bumpy mess. Saturday and Sunday are not worth paddling out for.

Monday, August 17th, sees lighter winds, but the swell has dropped to around 5 feet. It's marginal. Then Tuesday, August 18th, the wind goes offshore from the north, but the swell is down to 4-5 feet. The energy is moderate (around 850-1477), but the clean conditions mean it'll be a fun, smaller wave.

The next proper highlight is a week away, on Thursday morning, August 20th. The swell bumps back up to 7 feet from the SW, with a 16-second period and a combined energy of 1880. A moderate offshore wind from the north will keep it clean. This is solid, powerful surf for experienced surfers again.

After that, we get a big spike in swell around August 23rd and 24th – 10 feet plus – but it's accompanied by very strong winds, making it a chaotic mess. Then we have a massive pulse on August 26th, with waves hitting 13 feet and a combined energy of over 13,000. That's a ridiculous amount of energy, but the wind is a strong onshore, so it's going to be lumpy, choppy, and dangerous. That's a day for the tow-in crew or the very brave. The surf finally cleans up in the last few days of the month, but it's back to smaller, cleaner waves around 3 feet.

So, to sum it up: Friday morning, August 14th is the absolute winner – big, clean, powerful groundswell with light offshore winds. Thursday morning, August 20th is the next best bet, a solid, clean, powerful session.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
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
4
4
5
3
3
2
0
0
0
1
1
2
3
2
2
3
2
2
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SW
16
3
SW
15
3
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.3
SW
16
2.2
SW
15
1.8
SW
15
1.7
SW
14
1.6
SW
14
1.5
SW
14
1.6
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.1
SW
19
1.4
SW
17
1.3
SW
16
1
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
1.3
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
4136
3557
4158
3937
3502
3415
2620
2255
1308
1196
1077
874
1330
1265
800
1187
854
480
557
685
1236
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
20
W
15
WSW
10
W
10
SW
15
ESE
15
ESE
25
ESE
25
E
20
ESE
20
ESE
20
E
10
ESE
15
E
25
NE
25
NNE
20
N
15
W
10
SSW
10
SW
10
E
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
High Tide
2:27PM1.08m
2:49AM0.57m
2:57PM1.03m
3:17AM0.67m
3:23PM0.96m
3:45AM0.75m
3:46PM0.86m
4:14AM0.81m
4:04PM0.76m
4:43AM0.83m
4:16PM0.66m
5:12AM0.83m
4:16PM0.57m
Low Tide
9:24PM0.11m
8:14AM0.11m
9:36PM0.09m
8:57AM0.11m
9:50PM0.09m
9:36AM0.13m
10:03PM0.08m
10:14AM0.18m
10:15PM0.08m
10:49AM0.25m
10:25PM0.09m
11:23AM0.34m
10:31PM0.11m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:01
6:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:51
5:52
5:52
 mm
Temp °C
14
14
15
15
14
13
13
13
13
12
12
12
14
15
15
15
17
16
13
13
13
Feels °C
10
9
12
12
11
10
10
8
8
7
7
9
11
12
11
10
12
12
11
10
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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