Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.1°C
0.5° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 19s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 19s period, SW swell with 4,248 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 17s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 17s 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 2.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Sun 23rd Aug)7ft (2.2m) 17s
Best Surf 3PM (Thu 27th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 19s
Most Powerful 6PM (Thu 27th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’re looking at Chinamans, a reef break that’s fairly consistent. It’s an advanced wave, so this isn’t one for the learners. The water’s sitting at 59.2°, which is about average for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.

We kick things off on Sunday, August 23rd, with a solid start. The morning’s got a 7.2ft SW swell rolling in with a 17-second period – that’s proper groundswell, long and powerful. The combined energy is strong at 2758, and the wind is a cross-off from the NNE. It’s clean, but with that period and size, it’s a wave for experienced surfers only. The afternoon holds up similar, with a 6.2ft SW swell, still clean and cross-off.

Monday, August 24th, is a write-off. The swell drops to 3.9ft, period is short, and the wind picks up from the NE at 15 mph. It’s messy and marginal. Not worth paddling out for.

Tuesday, August 25th, turns ugly. The swell bumps back up to 7.5ft, but the wind is a cross-on from the SSW at 15 mph. The energy is very strong at 4474, but it’s choppy and poor. The afternoon is a cross-shore mess. Give it a miss.

Wednesday, August 26th, is where it gets interesting. The morning has a 5.2ft SW swell, but the wind goes offshore from the NW at 9 mph. Gentle offshore and clean. The afternoon is a bit smaller at 4.3ft, but still offshore from the NNW. This is a good window for a session.

Thursday, August 27th, is the standout for the first week. The morning has a tiny 2.6ft SW swell, but the period is a massive 21 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell, and the energy is 1271. The wind is offshore from the NW. But the real gem is the afternoon: 5.9ft SW swell, 19-second period, and the wind is a light offshore from the NW. It’s clean, with excellent conditions. The energy is strong at 3281. This is the best session of the first week.

Friday, August 28th, is a downer again. The morning has a 7.2ft SW swell, but the wind is onshore from the SSE. The afternoon is cross-shore. Not clean.

Saturday, August 29th, is a day for the kite surfers. The swell is around 4.6ft, but the wind is cross-on from the SW. It’s choppy and messy. The afternoon is a cross-shore bump.

Sunday, August 30th, is a serious contender for the best of the whole run. The morning is glassy with the wind from the E at 3 mph. The swell is 6.9ft from the SW with a 19-second period, and the energy is 3197. The afternoon is even better: flat calm, glassy, with an 8.2ft SW swell and 17-second period. The energy is massive at 4673. This is a perfect window for advanced surfers.

Monday, August 31st, has a 7.2ft SW swell with offshore winds from the NNW, but it’s a bit breezy at 15 mph. The afternoon is fresh offshore. It’s clean, but not as good as Sunday.

The first few days of September are mixed. Tuesday and Wednesday have some clean offshore windows, but the swell is smaller, around 3.9ft to 5.2ft. Not a priority.

Now, looking into the second week, we have a big one marked on Thursday, September 3rd. The swell is 9.8ft from the SW with a 15-second period. The energy is extremely high at 5584 and 5912. The wind is cross-off from the W. This is a big, powerful swell. It’s a standout for the experts, but that size is only for the very experienced.

Friday, September 4th, holds the size at 8.2ft with a 17-second period and offshore winds from the N in the morning. The energy is 3882. Another solid day for those who can handle it.

Saturday, September 5th, is a bit of a letdown with cross-shore winds and some chop. Not the best.

But then, Sunday, September 6th, brings another glassy session. The morning is glassy with a 7.5ft SW swell. That’s clean, powerful, and a great way to finish the run.

Monday, September 7th, is a blowout. Strong winds at 28 mph from the SW creating a messy cross-chop. The swell is there, but it’s not for surfing.

So, the two true standouts in this whole outlook are Thursday, August 27th afternoon and Sunday, August 30th. Both offer clean, powerful SW groundswells with light to glassy winds. The 30th is the absolute peak with the glassy conditions and that 8.2ft swell. The 27th is a close second, with the long period and clean conditions. The second week’s big days on the 3rd and

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
1
1
1
0
0
2
3
3
3
2
4
5
4
1
2
2
1
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.2
SW
17
1.9
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
2.3
SW
16
2.2
SW
14
1.7
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
0.9
SW
11
1.3
SW
14
1.8
SW
19
2.5
SW
18
2.2
SW
16
2.1
SW
16
1.7
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2758
1787
936
581
422
431
2516
2004
1139
827
591
209
641
2494
4113
2445
2061
1187
780
545
386
Wind (km/h)
15
NNE
10
N
15
ENE
25
NE
25
NE
20
SSW
25
SSW
25
SW
10
WSW
15
NW
15
NNW
15
N
20
NW
10
NW
5
SSE
15
SSE
20
SW
15
SSE
15
SW
20
SW
5
S
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
off
on
on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
glassy
High Tide
12:20PM0.72m
12:56PM0.79m
3:38AM0.37m
1:22PM0.86m
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
Low Tide
9:39PM0.15m
9:15PM0.15m
5:30AM0.36m
9:03PM0.14m
6:37AM0.29m
8:59PM0.13m
7:15AM0.22m
9:00PM0.11m
7:48AM0.16m
9:04PM0.10m
8:19AM0.12m
9:11PM0.08m
clear
part cloud
mod rain
mod rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
6:47
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:55
5:55
5:57
5:58
5:59
5:59
6:00
 mm
6
8
7
Temp °C
14
15
15
12
12
14
14
13
13
12
12
13
14
16
15
13
13
10
11
12
11
Feels °C
11
13
12
7
8
9
9
8
11
9
9
10
11
14
15
10
9
6
8
8
9
  • 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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