Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 15 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.3°C
1.0° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 2,684 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 0.2m 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 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Thu 17th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Best Surf12AM (Fri 18th Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 17s
Most Powerful 6AM (Wed 16th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. The ocean’s been doing its thing, and for Chinamans we’ve got a mixed bag of conditions coming our way over the next couple of weeks. But don’t worry, there are a few windows where it’s going to light up.

We're starting off on Wednesday the 16th with some solid 8ft SW swell, but the wind is a cross-on from the SE at 12 mph, which is going to put a bit of chop on the face. The combined energy is strong, sitting at 2559. It’s a bit messy, so not the best time to be out there if you want clean lines. Thursday the 17th drops a touch to 5ft, but the standout is Thursday afternoon when the wind goes completely glassy (0 mph) and the swell settles to 5ft. That’s a real treat, clean as a whistle, and the best conditions of this opening stretch. The energy is moderate at 776, but the glass makes up for it.

Friday the 18th sees the swell back down to 4ft with a long 17-second period, but the offshore NW wind at 16 mph in the morning will keep things clean, even if the size is on the smaller side. The afternoon is a bit nicer with 9 mph offshore winds, still clean. This is a point-break setup, so that long period is going to work well, holding its shape. Saturday the 19th is small, 3ft, and probably not worth paddling out for unless you're on a longboard and just want some cruisey waves.

Sunday the 20th brings a bit more energy back with 5ft and a 16-second period, but the wind swings to a cross-off in the morning, which should keep things rideable. The afternoon gets a bit cross and messy, so make the most of the morning.

Monday the 21st is looking onshore and messy, and then Tuesday the 22nd has a pulse of 7ft SW, but it’s choppy and poor. Not one to get excited about.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Wednesday the 23rd is a real standout. We’ve got an excellent forecast for experienced surfers. The swell is a clean 5ft from the SW with a 15-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the N at 9 mph in the morning. The water’s clean, the waves will be holding their shape perfectly. This is the best day of the first week by a long shot. Don’t sleep on it.

After that, the middle of the week gets a bit junky again with small, choppy surf. But hold on, because the long-range forecast is showing something potentially special.

Saturday the 26th is when things start to ramp up. A bigger, longer-period swell is moving in. Saturday morning is still manageable at 5ft with a 21-second period, but Saturday afternoon the swell jumps to 8ft, and the energy is very strong at 4870. The problem is the cross-onshore wind that’s going to chop it up. It’s powerful, but messy.

Then Sunday the 27th, that’s the one to circle on the calendar, but it’s for experts only. We’re looking at a solid 7ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period, but there’s a fresh offshore NNW breeze at 22 mph. That’s going to groom it into some serious, clean, hollow walls. This is a powerful, expert-level session. There’s also a bit of rain around, but that’s a small price to pay for that kind of raw power. The energy is strong at 2662.

But Monday the 28th is a different beast entirely. The swell tops out at 13ft in the afternoon with energy reading a massive 9123. However, the wind is a cross-onshore SW at 12 mph, making it a total washing machine. It’s too big and too messy for anyone. Unless you’re a chartered kite surfer, I’d stay well away.

The last few days of the window, the 29th and 30th, see the swell ease back down. The 30th has a good pulse of 8ft with an 18-second period, but the cross-onshore winds continue to mess with the surface. It’s a shame, because the raw energy is there, it just won’t be clean.

So, bottom line: keep your eyes on Thursday the 17th afternoon for the perfect glass, and Wednesday the 23rd for the best all-round session. And if you’re a seasoned pro looking for a challenge, Sunday the 27th is going to be a serious test. For the rest, it’s a waiting game for the winds to align.

Signing off, Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
1
3
3
4
2
3
2
2
2
0
3
0
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SW
15
2.4
SW
15
2.4
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
1.6
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.4
SW
17
1.3
SW
17
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
1.4
WSW
16
1
SW
15
1.9
SW
14
1.8
SW
12
1.6
SW
13
2
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2424
2551
2620
2048
1079
776
1158
940
605
341
212
168
146
981
432
1338
1025
892
1624
Wind (km/h)
20
SE
20
SE
15
ESE
20
ESE
10
ENE
0
ENE
10
NNE
25
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
25
NNW
15
NNE
25
NNE
25
W
25
WSW
20
SW
15
SSE
20
SSE
20
ESE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
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
12:15PM0.61m
Low Tide
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
8:52PM0.12m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:16
6:16
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:13
6:13
6:14
6:15
6:15
6:15
6:16
 mm
Temp °C
10
11
12
9
11
11
14
16
19
20
20
24
24
15
15
15
14
14
11
Feels °C
4
7
8
4
9
10
10
10
15
15
14
19
19
11
9
12
11
10
6
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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