
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,784 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 04) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of groundswell on the cards for Chinamans, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag with the wind. Let’s get into it.
The main story is a long-period SW groundswell that builds through the opening days, but early on it’s fighting a lot of wind. The combined swell energy is strong, hitting 1406 on Sunday morning, but a fresh offshore wind will make it blustery. Monday morning sees a jump to 10ft of SW swell, but the cross-shore wind will chop it up. The real standout pops up on Tuesday afternoon, the 4th of August. The swell drops to a clean 4ft from the SW, but with a 15-second period and glassy conditions, it’s going to be pure silk. The energy is moderate (865), but the quality will be through the roof. That’s the pick of the first week.
We get a bit of a lull in the middle of the week, with smaller but clean conditions on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Friday the 7th delivers the goods again with a solid 8ft SW swell and clean cross-off winds, excellent for experienced surfers, and the energy is well up there (3235). The weekend gets messy with strong onshore winds, then a big pulse of 12ft to 13ft SW swell on Monday the 10th and Wednesday the 12th, but the wind is a complete write-off—huge, lumpy, and dangerous. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.
The second week settles down. The absolute standout for the whole outlook is Saturday the 15th of August. We’re looking at an 8ft SW swell, 16-second period, and glassy conditions. The combined energy is strong (3269), and the forecast calls for excellent surf for experienced surfers. It’s an advanced break, so expect a crew, but that will be a day to remember. The following morning, Sunday the 16th, also offers clean 4ft waves from a light offshore, which is a great option for the slightly smaller crowd.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sun night, calm by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2053 | 1384 | 2268 | 3784 | 3361 | 2459 | 1120 | 799 | 757 | 483 | 529 | 621 | 966 | 710 | 1695 | 2431 | 3235 | 2790 | 1591 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:52AM0.63m | 3:48PM0.94m | 4:17AM0.69m | 4:06PM0.85m | 4:45AM0.76m | 4:21PM0.75m | 5:18AM0.80m | 4:29PM0.65m | 5:59AM0.83m | 4:19PM0.55m | 6:55AM0.84m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:14PM0.15m | 9:18AM0.21m | 10:24PM0.15m | 9:54AM0.23m | 10:33PM0.15m | 10:33AM0.28m | 10:42PM0.14m | 11:17AM0.35m | 10:51PM0.12m | 12:14PM0.44m | 11:00PM0.11m | 11:08PM0.10m | |||||||
— | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 7 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
2053 | 1384 | 592 | 1001 | 3361 | 2459 | 1120 | 799 | 757 | 440 | 479 | 621 | 966 | 710 | 1695 | 2431 | 3235 | 2790 | 1591 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | WSW 6 | SW 20 | — | — | — | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 13 | — | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | — |
37 | 22 | 98 | — | — | — | 354 | 211 | 108 | 483 | 529 | 290 | — | 143 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | NW 5 | WSW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | NNE 4 |
43 | 126 | 2268 | 3784 | 2643 | 2006 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 13 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 645 | 162 | 540 | 506 | 506 | 32 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
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.











