Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 03 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.3°C
0.9° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 19s period, SW swell with 8,469 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 15s 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 3PM. 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 (Sep 05) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Best Surf 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 3PM (Wed 9th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what Chinamans has cookin’ over the next couple weeks. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, so let’s break it down.

The water temp’s hangin’ around 60°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

The start is a bit rough. Thursday afternoon (the 3rd) is pumpin’ with a solid 10ft SW groundswell, but that 12 mph cross-breeze from the WSW is gonna mess it up. The energy is strong (3306), but it’s a chop fest. Friday (4th) has similar size with cleaner wind, but they’re still calling it marginal. Saturday (5th) is a total skip – that 28 mph wind will tear the 12ft swell apart. Just stay home.

Here’s the one you’ve been waitin’ for. Sunday morning (the 6th) is the gold. The wind goes glassy (3 mph from the NW), and you’ve got a clean 8ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period. The energy’s solid (1948), and that long period will give you some real, powerful lines. This is an advanced spot, and with that size, it’s for the crew who knows what they’re doin’. The swell is coming right from the optimum SW direction for this reef, so expect proper, lined-up walls. This is the clear highlight of the whole run.

Sunday afternoon (6th) cleans up nicely too, with 7ft and a light offshore breeze, but the morning glass session is the one.

Monday (7th) drops right off – 4ft and choppy onshore wind. Not worth the paddle.

Tuesday (8th) sees the swell bump back to 8ft with a very long 17-second period from the SW, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s gonna be lumpy. The energy is high (2971), but the wind spoils it. From Wednesday the 9th through Friday the 11th, we’ve got more big, powerful SW swells, but the onshore wind stays fresh and lumpy. It’s a real shame because the size and period are there.

Saturday the 12th is a smaller, cleaner option with 5ft and an offshore breeze, but the energy is low (936). It’s a marginal call.

Sunday the 13th is tiny, droppin’ under 3ft, but with light offshore wind, so it’ll be pretty but not for surfin’. Monday the 14th brings back a big, long-period swell (17s) with strong energy (4957), but the wind is cross. Another one where the power is there but the conditions aren’t perfect. Tuesday the 15th is blown out again.

The second week looks similar – plenty of size and long period groundswells, but a lot of those days have strong onshore winds. There’s a window on Friday the 18th with a 6ft SW swell and a light offshore breeze (6 mph SSE) that could be worth a look, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.

So, the bottom line: your best bet is Sunday morning, September 6th. Get out there for the glassy 8ft SW swell. After that, it’s a game of patience, waitin’ for the wind to play nice with all that ocean energy.

Stay salty.
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Fri night, calm by Sat night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the SE by Tue night).

Thu
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
5
4
3
1
0
0
4
4
4
0
0
1
0
2
1
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)
3
SW
14
3
SW
15
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.1
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3
SW
13
3
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2
SW
14
1.6
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
2
SW
19
2.3
SW
17
2.2
SW
16
1.9
SW
16
2.5
SW
17
3.5
SW
19
3.5
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3306
4264
4272
3288
2048
5025
3038
3031
1948
1580
865
545
637
2730
2947
2496
1764
3894
8469
6610
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
10
N
20
N
25
NNE
45
WNW
45
WSW
40
WSW
15
WSW
5
NW
10
W
20
S
20
SE
15
ESE
25
ESE
15
ESE
15
SW
25
SSE
35
SE
35
ESE
30
ESE
Wind State
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
3:53PM0.51m
5:20AM0.90m
3:32PM0.45m
6:08AM0.84m
7:40AM0.76m
11:29AM0.78m
12:33PM0.85m
2:08AM0.36m
1:12PM0.89m
1:56AM0.47m
Low Tide
9:58PM0.00m
12:03PM0.37m
10:08PM0.00m
10:11PM0.02m
9:54PM0.06m
9:04PM0.10m
8:31PM0.11m
6:00AM0.26m
8:23PM0.10m
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:04
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:07
 mm
4
2
Temp °C
14
13
15
17
16
13
13
13
14
13
13
13
14
11
12
13
12
11
11
10
Feels °C
9
11
10
12
11
3
5
8
12
11
10
10
10
6
10
10
7
4
4
4
  • 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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