Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 19s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 19s period, SW swell with 4,134 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 18s. 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 2.4m 19s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with the lowdown on Chinamans. This reef setup lives for a good SW swell, and over the next couple of weeks we’re seeing a whole bunch of waves, but the wind is going to be the deciding factor.
Water temp is right around 59°F, which is perfectly normal for now. The first few days are rough. Thursday and Friday have swell in the 6 to 8ft range, but the wind is blowing from the west and WSW, making it cross-choppy and messy. The energy is there (over 2500), but it’s not surfable.
The first real session worth paddling out for is Sunday, August 23rd, in the afternoon. We’ve got a clean offshore wind from the NNW, and the swell is a solid 6ft from the SW with a 16-second interval. That’s proper groundswell energy (1787), and the reef will be handling it beautifully. It’s a big step up in quality from the previous days.
Monday the 24th is smaller but clean, with waves dropping to about 4ft. A good day for a longer board and some mellow lines. Avoid Tuesday the 25th like the plague—strong south winds and chop.
Now, the absolute standout of the whole forecast is Thursday, August 27th, in the afternoon. This is the one to circle. We’re looking at 8ft of SW groundswell with a 19-second period—that’s a serious, heavy ocean swell. The wind is a clean offshore from the N, and the combined energy is roaring at 4134. This is an expert-level session. Big, powerful, and absolutely glassy. Thursday morning is also good with a smaller 4ft swell but a crazy 21-second period, so the lines will be long and clean.
Friday the 28th keeps the good run going with offshore winds and 7ft to 8ft swell. Saturday the 29th gets blown out by strong east winds, making it a day for the kite guys. Sunday the 30th cleans up again but the swell is a bit shorter period, so it’s less refined.
Into the first week of September, Monday the 31st morning is tiny at 3ft but with a 19-second period—weird and slow. The afternoon jumps to 10ft but with only an 8-second period, so it’s a big, dumpy, short-interval swell. Only hardcore guys will be out there. Tuesday September 1st is cleaner again with offshore winds and good shape. Wednesday the 2nd has 8ft swell and a 15-second period, but the wind picks up to 25 mph, making the paddle a workout.
Thursday September 3rd has 40 mph offshore winds. The waves will be clean and hollow, but you’ll be clawing your way out. Friday the 4th brings a massive 8ft swell with energy hitting 5735, but the wind turns onshore and it gets lumpy all over again.
So here’s the call: for the best of the best, get after Thursday afternoon, August 27th. For a cleaner, slightly smaller option, Sunday the 23rd afternoon is your go-to. The long-range stuff around September 1st looks good, but the forecasts can wobble.
Catch you in the water.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu afternoon, light winds from the E by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Mon night, calm by Wed morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | WSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2206 | 2390 | 1580 | 2913 | 2963 | 2404 | 2038 | 1760 | 2758 | 1787 | 936 | 650 | 464 | 1938 | 2325 | 2469 | 1665 | 969 | 649 | 341 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:52PM0.52m | 6:19AM0.74m | 1:59PM0.52m | 7:29AM0.68m | 12:20PM0.72m | 12:56PM0.79m | 3:38AM0.37m | 1:22PM0.86m | 2:36AM0.40m | 1:44PM0.90m | 2:26AM0.46m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 10:32PM0.12m | 1:14PM0.52m | 10:26PM0.13m | 10:07PM0.15m | 9:39PM0.15m | 9:15PM0.15m | 5:30AM0.36m | 9:03PM0.14m | 6:37AM0.29m | 8:59PM0.13m | ||||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 945 | 2390 | 1580 | 2913 | 2963 | 2404 | 2038 | 1760 | 2758 | 1787 | 936 | 650 | 464 | 1938 | 1018 | 2469 | 1665 | 969 | 649 | 341 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | — | — | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 19 | — | — | — | SSW 20 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | — | 244 | 973 | — | — | 87 | 368 | 621 | — | — | — | 38 | 121 | 219 | — | — | — | — | 25 | 201 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 25 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 25 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | W 4 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 2206 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 2325 | — | — | — | — | 10 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 540 | 46 | 7 | 160 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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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