Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 7,733 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 (Aug 20) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s have a look at the 16-day window for Chinamans. Most of the period is pretty average, with a real patch of dodgy weather and swell through the first week that leaves very little to get excited about. There’s a massive gap from the start right through the first few days with zero to poor conditions, so don’t bother paddling out until the following week, really.
Things start to look up from Thursday 20th August. That morning and afternoon we’ll see a solid 5 ft groundswell from the SW with a long period of 16 seconds – that’s proper energy heading in, and the combined swell energy (1709 and 1928) is strong, so there’s plenty of push. Wind stays light to gentle from the west, clean as can be. That’s a standout. It’s clean and has that deep reef power, but it’s still not huge, so the advanced crew will lap it up.
The real gem though, and I’m calling this the pick of the whole run, happens on Tuesday 25th August – the afternoon session. Glassy conditions, ENE breeze at just 3 mph, and a solid 7 ft SW groundswell with a period of 15 seconds (combined energy 1941). Clean faces, good shape, and with the wind glassy and offshore enough, Chinamans will show its best side. Just know it can get crowded, especially when it cleans up.
Later on, Friday 28th August afternoon also has a clean 5 ft SW swell with a 16-second period, light wind, and decent energy (1265) – another good window for experienced surfers. By the 30th, it’s still clean but smaller, and the long period (19 seconds) will make it a bit tricky at this reef, but still worthwhile for those who know the break.
Water temp at the start is 59°, about normal for this time of year, no big anomaly.
Overall: The first week is a write-off. The standout windows are Thursday 20th August, Tuesday 25th August afternoon, and Friday 28th August afternoon – with the 25th taking the prize. Keep an eye on the long-range stuff a week or more out; it’s promising but less certain.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Thu morning, strong winds from the WNW by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
2255 | 1308 | 1092 | 1077 | 965 | 1347 | 1297 | 800 | 1297 | 834 | 480 | 499 | 535 | 434 | 1194 | 1300 | 1685 | 2053 | 4883 | 5090 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:45AM0.75m | 3:46PM0.86m | 4:14AM0.81m | 4:04PM0.76m | 4:43AM0.83m | 4:16PM0.66m | 5:12AM0.83m | 4:16PM0.57m | 5:43AM0.79m | 3:52PM0.52m | 6:19AM0.74m | 1:59PM0.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:00PM0.43m | 10:32PM0.12m | 1:14PM0.52m | 10:26PM0.13m | |||||||
— | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 | — | — |
2255 | 1308 | 1092 | 1077 | 965 | 1347 | 1297 | 668 | 1297 | 834 | 480 | 499 | 535 | 434 | 1194 | 628 | 1685 | 1215 | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 26 | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 19 | — | E 4 | — | E 4 | N 4 | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 26 | 86 | 368 | 800 | — | 3 | — | 1 | 9 | 392 | 515 | — | 244 | 614 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 21 | W 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 69 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 3 | ESE 3 | E 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 | N 4 | N 4 | N 4 | W 5 | WNW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 16 | — | WSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
4 | 20 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 27 | 17 | 28 | 22 | 16 | 5 | 3 | 1300 | — | 2053 | 4883 | 5090 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 166 | 166 | 3 | 81 | 160 | 728 | 138 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 540 | 726 | 738 |
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.











