Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.1°C
0.8° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 19s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 3,113 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s 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 17) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s. 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Thu 17th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 18th Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 19s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sun 20th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for Chinamans over the next couple of weeks.

The outlook starts off a bit average, but hang in there because there's a proper standout session brewing if you're patient. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We kick off on Sunday the 13th with a solid 4ft to 5ft SW groundswell, with a long 16-second period. The energy is moderate to strong (920 to 1018). The wind is a cross-off, which keeps it clean, but the forecast calls it marginal, so the tide might be playing games. It's surfable, but not the pick of the window.

Monday the 14th sees similar size, but the wind swings cross-shore in the morning creating a bit of chop, so it's a bit messier. The afternoon cleans up again with a cross-off breeze.

Tuesday the 15th brings a jump in size to 8ft to 8ft, but it's all onshore wind. That’s a no-go for a decent wave; the energy is huge (2282 to 3848), but with that wind, it's just a blown-out mess. This continues through Wednesday the 16th with strong cross-onshore wind and similar size, making it a write-off.

Thursday the 17th is where things get interesting. The swell drops back to 6ft in the morning, but the real highlight is the afternoon. The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the north at just 3 mph, and the swell is a clean 5ft from the SW. The energy is moderate (754). This is the kind of session you wait for – glassy conditions and a long-period groundswell. For a reef break like Chinamans, this is where it shines. The crowd factor is "sometimes", so you might have some company, but for conditions like this, it's worth it.

Friday the 18th is another good one. The swell drops a touch to 4ft, but the wind goes offshore from the NNW, blowing at 12 to 19 mph. The period is a very long 18 seconds in the morning. This is proper clean, lined-up surf. The morning has a fresh offshore, the afternoon is a bit lighter. Great conditions.

The weekend of the 19th and 20th sees the swell drop right off on Saturday to under 3ft, and then a massive, windy swell hits on Sunday the 20th with 8ft from the SW and a strong 25 mph cross-wind. That’s a hard pass.

Then we get to the real standout of the entire forecast. Tuesday the 22nd of September. The morning session is an absolute beast. An 12ft SW groundswell with an 18-second period is pumping in, and the energy is through the roof (7522). The wind is a light 6 mph cross-off from the WNW. This is "exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers." At 12ft, this is strictly for the experienced crew. This is the big one.

The following days get messy with strong onshore winds, but there is another glimmer on Friday the 25th of September with a 10ft SW swell and a clean cross-off wind. Again, that's expert territory, but the energy is massive (7011). Saturday the 26th is smaller and cleaner but not as special.

Finally, on Sunday the 27th, the morning session offers a repeat of that glassy magic with a 5ft SW swell, dead calm NW wind at 3 mph, and a 14-second period. Another clean, fun session to close out the window.

So, the standout is undoubtedly Tuesday the 22nd of September for the experts. The best all-rounder for a fun, clean wave is the glassy Thursday afternoon the 17th of September and the glassy Sunday morning the 27th of September.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri night, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
1
1
3
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
3
3
2
3
2
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.4
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
16
2.3
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.4
SW
15
2.5
SW
15
2.4
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
1.7
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.3
SW
18
1.1
SW
16
1
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
1.6
W
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
920
1018
893
788
563
1692
2278
2527
2424
2856
2655
1875
1147
754
586
985
644
404
215
171
759
Wind (km/h)
20
W
25
W
25
WSW
20
WSW
20
W
30
SSW
25
S
30
S
20
SE
20
SE
20
ESE
20
ESE
15
ENE
5
N
15
NNE
30
NNW
20
NNW
20
N
30
NNW
20
N
40
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
High Tide
2:58PM0.75m
3:15AM0.88m
3:16PM0.68m
3:39AM0.92m
3:32PM0.60m
4:02AM0.91m
3:40PM0.53m
4:25AM0.88m
3:39PM0.48m
4:48AM0.82m
3:20PM0.45m
5:13AM0.75m
2:19PM0.45m
Low Tide
8:56PM0.02m
9:32AM0.06m
9:08PM0.02m
10:02AM0.10m
9:19PM0.02m
10:31AM0.16m
9:29PM0.03m
10:57AM0.25m
9:36PM0.04m
11:22AM0.34m
9:38PM0.06m
11:49AM0.43m
9:34PM0.08m
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:13
6:14
6:15
6:15
 mm
3
1
Temp °C
15
14
13
13
15
15
13
13
10
11
12
9
11
11
14
16
19
20
20
23
23
Feels °C
13
10
9
10
11
11
7
6
5
7
8
4
9
10
9
10
14
15
12
17
17
  • 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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