Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.0° C
0.4° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,039 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sun 23rd Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 15s
Best Surf 3AM (Sun 23rd Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 9PM (Fri 21st Aug)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got one spot on the radar, and it’s a deep-water reef that only the experienced crew should be looking at. The water is sitting at 59.0°F and that’s pretty standard for this time of year—nothing weird going on there.

The first window of opportunity opens up on Thursday morning, the 20th of August. We’ve got a solid 6.2ft swell from the WSW, with a long 16 second period pushing a lot of energy (combined energy of 2269). The wind is a cross-offshore from the NW at 19 mph, which will keep things clean. This is a powerful, thumping groundswell, so it’s going to be a game of patience for the sets. It’s not for the faint-hearted.

Friday the 21st sees the swell bumping up a touch to 6.6ft to 7.5ft, still from the SW. The wind swings around to a light WSW cross in the morning, then a cleaner cross-off from the W in the afternoon. The period stays long, around 14 to 17 seconds, so the energy is still proper (2553 to 2913). The morning might have a little cross-chop, but the afternoon looks clean and inviting for those who know what they’re doing.

Saturday the 22nd holds steady with 6.9ft to 7.5ft swell from the SW, 15 second period. The wind is a light WSW cross all day, so the surface will be a bit bumpy, but there’s still plenty of power (2275 to 2491). It’s a solid, consistent option for the weekend.

Now, Sunday the 23rd is where things get interesting. The morning is looking choice with a 6.9ft SW swell, 17 second period, and a light N wind swinging cross-off. The energy is still strong (2592). The afternoon turns glassy and clean with a light NNW offshore wind, and the swell drops slightly to 6.2ft. This is a standout window for the experienced surfer—clean, lined-up, and powerful.

Monday the 24th eases off a bit. Swell drops to 3.6ft to 3.9ft from the SW, 14 seconds, with a light cross-off W wind. The energy drops way down (596 to 619), but the conditions are clean and perfect for a smaller, more relaxed session.

We hit a bit of a downer on Tuesday the 25th. The swell jumps back up to 7.2ft, but it’s messy with a strong cross-onshore wind from the SSW at 16 mph. The wave state is choppy and poor. That afternoon doesn’t get any better. Best to skip this one.

We get a reprieve on Wednesday the 26th. Swell is down to 3.9ft to 5.2ft from the SW, 13 seconds, and the wind turns clean. The morning has a light NNE cross-off, and the afternoon is a beauty with a 12 mph offshore from the N. The energy is moderate (559 to 814), but the conditions are clean and glassy. A solid pick for a mid-week paddle.

Thursday the 27th brings a new pulse. Swell is 5.2ft from the SW, but the period jumps to 15 to 19 seconds, pushing a lot of energy (1673 to 2745). The wind is a fresh cross-off from the N and NNE at 19 to 22 mph. The surface is clean, but the wind is strong, so it’ll be a battle to get out. This is big, powerful groundswell. Not for the unprepared.

The outlook gets a bit wild from here. Friday the 28th has a strong 6.6ft to 6.9ft SW swell, 16 seconds, but the wind is howling from the NNE at 25 mph in the morning, then a strong offshore from the NNW in the afternoon. The energy is high (1919 to 2287), but the wind is a struggle. The afternoon offshore will be clean, but it’s a full-on session.

The next few days, from the 29th of August through to the 1st of September, are a mixed bag. The swell stays between 2.6ft and 6.6ft, but the wind is relentless—strong breezes from the WNW and NW, often over 25 mph. The energy is moderate to high (840 to 2644), but the wind is just too strong for a good paddle. You’ll get clean, gutless waves or blown-out conditions. It’s a kite-surfing setup more than a paddle session.

The real standout pops up way down the line on Wednesday the 2nd of September. The morning delivers a clean 6.9ft SW

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri night, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Thu morning, light winds from the E by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon night).

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
3
2
2
3
3
4
4
3
3
3
0
0
0
3
3
3
2
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
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
16
2.3
SW
15
2
SW
14
2.3
SW
17
2.5
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
2.1
SW
17
1.9
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.8
SW
17
2.2
SW
16
2.1
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.5
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1788
2206
2390
1580
2913
2963
2404
1907
1760
2592
1787
936
581
471
1774
2295
1760
1299
814
466
744
Wind (km/h)
30
NW
30
WSW
20
WSW
15
WSW
20
W
20
WSW
15
WSW
15
WSW
5
E
10
N
10
NNW
5
NNW
10
W
15
W
30
SSW
25
SSW
25
SW
5
SE
15
NNE
20
N
20
NNE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
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
12:00PM0.43m
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
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
6:56
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:55
5:57
5:58
 mm
1
Temp °C
14
14
14
13
14
15
13
13
13
13
14
14
14
14
14
13
14
12
12
12
13
Feels °C
8
8
9
9
9
11
10
10
11
11
12
12
12
11
11
7
8
9
8
8
7
  • 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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