Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 2,686 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, crew, Rusty here. Let's break down what's happening at Chinamans.
We've got swell on the way, but the first few days are going to be rough. Tuesday and Wednesday are looking at solid SW groundswell, but with onshore winds making a mess of things. The energy is strong, but it's not going to be pretty. You're better off staying on shore for that.
Thursday the 17th, things start to settle. The swell eases to around 5ft, and the afternoon turns glassy. That's your first real window of clean surf. Friday the 18th is also looking decent with offshore winds and a long-period SW swell. Smaller, but clean. Think chest to head high.
The weekend brings more size, but also more wind. Saturday and Sunday are blown out with strong breezes and messy conditions. Not worth the paddle out.
The start of the next week is still a bit cross, but Tuesday afternoon the 22nd looks like a solid pick. Clean 6ft of SW swell, light cross-off wind, and good energy. That's a fun, pushy wave for experienced surfers. The middle of the week, around the 24th and 25th, drops in size but looks super clean with glassy mornings. Good chance for a peaceful session on a longboard.
Now, the big one. Saturday September 26th. We're looking at a massive SW groundswell with a 19-second period, pushing in at over 11ft. The energy numbers are huge. This is a serious, heavy, expert-only wave. The wind is light, but slightly onshore, so it won't be perfect. But for the chargers, this is as good as it gets. It's a long-range forecast, so keep an eye on it, but if it comes together, it will be a day to remember.
After that, Sunday is blown out again, and the following days have more cross-shore winds and chop.
The standout is clearly that Saturday the 26th. It's big and powerful, not for the faint of heart. A solid secondary option would be Tuesday afternoon the 22nd for a more manageable but still solid session. Water temp is normal for this time of year.
Chinamans is usually fairly consistent, so this poor start shouldn't last. Stay tuned to that forecast for the end of the month.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon night, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Mon night, calm by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat night, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Fri afternoon, strong winds from the W by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1347 | 2525 | 2680 | 2424 | 2686 | 2620 | 2048 | 1079 | 776 | 1039 | 918 | 525 | 293 | 173 | 138 | 82 | 2102 | 2499 | 851 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 5:43AM0.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:19PM0.10m | ||||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 6:12 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 15 | 14 | 15 |
Feels °C | 11 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 7 | 8 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 208 | 2525 | 2680 | 2424 | 2686 | 2620 | 2048 | 1079 | 776 | 1039 | 918 | 525 | 293 | 173 | 138 | 82 | 173 | 1493 | 851 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 17 | — | — | W 6 | SW 19 | SW 18 | — | SW 16 | — | SW 14 |
| kJ | 251 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 188 | — | — | 2 | 58 | 117 | — | 211 | — | 331 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 4 | S 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | ENE 3 | — | N 4 | N 4 | N 4 | N 4 | N 4 | W 6 | WSW 16 | SW 14 | — |
| kJ | 1347 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | 14 | 10 | 9 | 40 | 33 | 235 | 2102 | 2499 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 32 | 32 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 79 | 149 | 1251 | 729 | 7 |
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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