Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.5°C
1.1° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with 5,713 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 12AM (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 (Sep 04) at 12AM. 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 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 4th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Best Surf12AM (Fri 4th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sat 5th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, crew, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for this spot.

We’ve got one break on the cards, and it’s a proper reef setup that doesn’t fire for just anyone. Chinamans is your spot for this outlook, and the water’s sitting at a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, about 60°, which is a little bit of a treat.

Right off the bat, Wednesday the 2nd afternoon sees a clean 2.3m (8ft) SW groundswell with a solid 15-second period, but that 30 km/h (19 mph) cross-off wind from the west is pushing hard. It’s not terrible, but it’s a fresh breeze, so it’s a marginal call. The combined energy is moderate at 2169, but look—it’s a toss-up with the wind. Thursday the 3rd is a write-off with rain and choppy cross-onshore winds, so don’t bother. Friday the 4th shows a glimmer of hope with a clean morning, a 3.0m (10ft) SW groundswell with a 16-second period (that’s a long period, proper groundswell), and cross-off winds from the NNE at 20 km/h (12 mph). The energy is strong at 4272, but it’s still called marginal. It’s a big, powerful swell—only for experienced surfers.

The standout window is the weekend of the 6th and 7th. Saturday the 6th afternoon into Sunday the 7th morning is where it gets intimate. Sunday morning the 7th has light 10 km/h (6 mph) cross-off winds from the NE, a clean 2.3m (8ft) SW swell at 14 seconds, and the energy is moderate at 2123. But the real gem is Sunday afternoon the 7th: glassy, a 1.9m (6ft) SW groundswell with a 14-second period, and barely a breath of wind at 5 km/h (3 mph) from the SE. The water’s glassy, and the energy is a moderate 1463. That’s the best on offer—clean, powerful, but still manageable for the skilled surfer. Crowds are possible at Chinamans, but on a glassy afternoon like that, it’s worth the company.

Then there’s a big gap of messy, poor surf from Monday the 8th through to the middle of the second week, with strong cross-onshore winds and choppy conditions. The swell stays moderate to big, but the wind ruins it. Keep an eye on Monday the 14th morning: it’s a glassy 3.0m (10ft) SW groundswell with a 17-second period, and the energy is very strong at 5304. That’s a huge, long-period groundswell—only for experts, and only if the winds hold. It’s a long way out, so call it promising but not locked in. Tuesday the 15th morning is another glassy calm with a 2.0m (7ft) SW swell at 15 seconds, and the energy is moderate at 1729—a nice, clean, smaller option.

Overall, the best is Sunday the 7th afternoon for clean, glassy conditions with solid swell. The Monday the 14th morning is the big wave potential if you’re an expert. The rest of the window is either too windy or too messy, so pick your days. This reef rewards patience.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Thu night, near gales from the WNW by Fri night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the S by Sun night).

Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
0
3
5
4
3
0
0
2
4
4
4
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
14
3
WSW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
3
WSW
15
3.5
SW
13
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.9
SW
19
2.2
SW
17
2.1
SW
16
1.8
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2834
3625
3306
4376
4065
3102
4190
4429
4191
3031
1977
1463
736
437
437
2530
2758
2166
1532
Wind (km/h)
35
WNW
25
SW
20
WSW
10
NNE
25
N
25
NNE
55
WNW
50
WSW
35
WSW
15
WSW
5
NNW
5
WSW
20
SW
30
SSE
25
SE
25
ESE
15
SE
15
S
25
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
High Tide
4:43AM0.92m
3:53PM0.51m
5:20AM0.90m
3:32PM0.45m
6:08AM0.84m
7:40AM0.76m
11:29AM0.78m
12:33PM0.85m
2:08AM0.36m
Low Tide
9:47PM0.02m
11:12AM0.26m
9:58PM0.00m
12:03PM0.37m
10:08PM0.00m
10:11PM0.02m
9:54PM0.06m
9:04PM0.10m
8:31PM0.11m
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:02
6:04
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
 mm
1
1
2
1
Temp °C
15
14
13
13
14
17
16
13
13
13
12
12
13
14
13
10
11
12
12
Feels °C
8
9
8
11
10
12
9
4
5
9
10
10
8
8
7
4
9
9
8
  • 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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