Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 31 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.4°C
0.9° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 18s period, SW swell with 8,461 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 4.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Tue 1st Sep)5ft (1.5m) 15s
Best Surf12AM (Sun 6th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 3AM (Tue 8th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, grab your wetties, ’cause I’m gonna walk you through what’s cooking in the water. This is Rusty.

We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up, but it’s not all party waves and bluebird skies. The first week is a mixed bag of size and wind, with the real standout action arriving later. Chinamans is our only break on the cards, and it’s a reef setup that demands respect—this is advanced territory.

The first proper surf we see kicks off Tuesday morning, September 1st, with a 5.2ft swell from the southwest. The offshore wind is howling at 25 mph, which keeps it clean but makes paddling a real battle. The combined swell energy is already way up there at 1135. Conditions improve through the afternoon as the wind drops to a cross-off 16 mph and the wave height settles to 3.6ft, but the swell period is a very long 17 seconds, so those sets will be spaced out.

Wednesday the 2nd brings a bit more size, with morning sets around 6.2ft and afternoon pulses hitting 6.6ft—both from that southwest groundswell, with a long period around 15 to 16 seconds. The wind is cross-off, and the water is clean, but the energy is starting to build significantly (1783 in the morning, 1669 in the afternoon). This is getting interesting, but still not the pick of the bunch.

Thursday the 3rd sees the swell jump to 9.8ft. That’s getting into expert-only territory. The morning has a moderate cross-shore wind, creating some chop, but the afternoon turns cleaner with a cross-off breeze. The combined energy is massive now—over 3000. The swell period is a punchy 14 seconds, so it’s powerful but not super clean.

Friday the 4th holds 9.8ft in the morning with a stiff offshore breeze at 22 mph, so the faces will be smooth, but that’s a big, powerful wave. The energy is through the roof at 3557. Afternoon drops to 8.2ft, still with fresh offshore wind, but still solid.

Saturday the 5th is where things get wild, but it’s a washout. The morning is a total mess: an 11.5ft southwest swell with a strong cross-shore wind howling at 25 mph. The energy reading is almost 5000, but the conditions are poor. Then the afternoon flips the script—still an 11.5ft swell, but the wind shifts to a clean cross-off breeze, and the energy jumps to a staggering 9451. That’s a ton of juice. The swell period stretches to 16 seconds, and it’s clean. This is a proper expert session, but that size means it’s for the experienced crew only. This is one of the true standouts—big, clean, and powerful.

Sunday the 6th still has an 8.2ft SW swell in the morning with a cross-off wind, but the energy drops back to 2783. The afternoon is a bit smaller at 7.9ft from the WSW. It’s clean, but not as exciting as Saturday.

Monday the 7th is a hard pass. A 13.1ft swell hits the morning, but the wind is a strong cross-onshore at 28 mph—messy and raw. The energy is 5898, but it’s poor. The afternoon is 11.5ft with a fresh cross-shore chop. Not worth it.

Tuesday the 8th sees 11.5ft swell in the morning, with a moderate cross-onshore wind making it choppy. But the afternoon is the true monster: a 14.8ft SW swell with a 19-second period, and the combined energy hits an insane 23411. The wind is moderate cross-shore, and the data says it might actually be too big for this break. That’s a rare warning—only for absolute experts and huge swells.

Wednesday the 9th afternoon is the other standout. The morning is 9.8ft with a light cross-shore wind, but the afternoon delivers 9.8ft of clean, long-period SW swell with a light offshore breeze and glassy conditions. The energy is 7009, and it’s described as exceptional for expert surfers. This is the one to circle on your calendar—clean, powerful, and all yours.

After that, the surf slowly backs off through the second week. Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th both have 7.5ft to 8.2ft SW swells with offshore winds and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The energy is still solid (around 2600 to 4100). Saturday the 12th drops to 5.9ft to 6.2ft, with the afternoon going glassy. Nice, easy, clean waves for the skilled crew.

Then it falls apart. Sunday the 13th brings 31 mph winds and rain, with a 6.6ft swell that’s impossible to enjoy. The following week (14th to 16th) is a slow bleed of 4.3ft to 5.2ft swells with cross-shore or onshore winds and low energy—definitely not worth the paddle.

So to boil it down: the best windows are Saturday afternoon the 5th and Wednesday afternoon the 9th. Both are big, clean, powerful southwest groundswells with favorable winds, but only for advanced to expert surf

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon night, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Mon night, strong winds from the W by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu night, strong winds from the WSW by Fri night).

Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
1
3
2
2
3
4
5
3
3
3
0
7
6
2
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.1
SW
17
1.5
SW
16
1.9
SW
16
2
SW
15
2.5
WSW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
15
3
SW
15
2.5
SW
15
3.5
WSW
15
3.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
2.4
WSW
14
1.3
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1809
1135
754
1082
1783
1669
3066
3171
3419
4320
3557
2814
5052
4951
5965
5928
2783
2265
647
Wind (km/h)
25
NNE
40
NNW
25
WNW
20
SW
20
W
30
W
35
WNW
20
SW
25
W
10
N
35
N
35
NNW
45
W
40
WSW
30
W
15
NW
35
NNE
25
ENE
45
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
3:46AM0.86m
3:39PM0.69m
4:12AM0.91m
3:51PM0.59m
4:43AM0.92m
3:53PM0.51m
5:20AM0.90m
3:32PM0.45m
6:08AM0.84m
7:40AM0.76m
Low Tide
9:57AM0.12m
9:37PM0.04m
10:33AM0.18m
9:47PM0.02m
11:12AM0.26m
9:58PM0.00m
12:03PM0.37m
10:08PM0.00m
10:11PM0.02m
9:54PM0.06m
clear
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:41
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:01
6:01
6:02
6:04
6:04
6:05
6:06
 mm
1
3
2
1
2
3
Temp °C
18
17
17
14
13
14
14
14
14
14
15
17
16
13
13
13
15
16
14
Feels °C
13
12
12
11
8
7
6
9
9
11
8
12
8
4
7
9
7
11
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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