Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, SW swell with 3,235 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 18s. 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 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) 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 1.2m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here. Let's get straight into it. We've got a solid run of swell lining up for Chinamans (reef) starting this week and stretching into the middle of next month. The standout period looks to be from Thursday the 27th right through to the end of the first week of September, with a few real gems in there.
Wednesday the 26th kicks things off with a clean 5ft swell from the SW, but it's a bit more of a warm-up. The real magic starts Thursday afternoon the 27th. We're looking at a 5ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period and a solid offshore N wind at 9 mph. The combined energy is pumping at 1952, meaning there's plenty of push. This is excellent, clean surf for experienced surfers – a top-notch session.
Friday the 28th is a bit of a mixed bag, but the afternoon is the absolute pick of this entire run. The swell jumps to 7ft from the SW, super long period at 16 seconds, and the wind goes totally glassy – dead calm at 0 mph. That's a recipe for perfection at a reef, with wave energy at 2087. This is the one.
The following week continues to deliver. Monday the 31st has a 7ft SW swell with an offshore N wind at 9 mph, and Tuesday the 1st of September is a cauldron with a 25 mph offshore N wind, but that's a tricky one – it's clean but hard work. Friday the 4th of September and Saturday the 5th both see 8ft SW swells with cross-offshore winds, offering more excellent conditions for experienced surfers.
Looking further out, Tuesday the 8th of September has another 7ft SW swell with a clean offshore W wind in the afternoon, and the swell energy tops 2748. Then Wednesday the 9th keeps it going with a peak of 8ft SW and 3548 in combined energy.
A word of caution: anything over 7ft here at Chinamans is solid, and with periods consistently over 15 seconds, this is a reef that will handle that energy beautifully, but it's strictly for the well-experienced crew. The water temp is pretty average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.
So, in short: Go Friday afternoon the 28th. That glassy, 7ft SW swell is the clear standout of the whole outlook. The rest of the run is very good, especially Thursday and Friday of the first week of September, so keep those dates locked in.
Stay frothy,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu night, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1238 | 827 | 591 | 232 | 623 | 1109 | 3122 | 2537 | 2087 | 1108 | 802 | 553 | 315 | 546 | 1728 | 2778 | 2879 | 2622 | 1552 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:36AM0.40m | 1:44PM0.90m | 2:26AM0.46m | 2:05PM0.93m | 2:32AM0.53m | 2:25PM0.93m | 2:45AM0.61m | 2:45PM0.90m | 3:02AM0.70m | 3:05PM0.85m | 3:22AM0.78m | 3:23PM0.77m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:37AM0.29m | 8:59PM0.13m | 7:15AM0.22m | 9:00PM0.11m | 7:48AM0.16m | 9:04PM0.10m | 8:19AM0.12m | 9:11PM0.08m | 8:51AM0.09m | 9:19PM0.07m | 9:24AM0.09m | 9:27PM0.05m | |||||||
 |  | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 1238 | 827 | 591 | 232 | 623 | 1109 | 3122 | 2537 | 2087 | 1108 | 802 | 553 | 315 | 287 | 1728 | 2778 | 2879 | 2622 | 1552 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 21 | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | SW 23 | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 7 | 50 | 129 | 209 | 287 | 843 | — | — | — | — | 21 | 82 | 220 | 546 | 159 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 4 | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | — | — | N 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 10 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 9 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 81 |
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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