Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 5,357 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Chinamans this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
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 the next couple of weeks are shaping up like for your local breaks.
Straight off the bat, we’ve got a big, long-period groundswell rolling in from the southwest, but don’t get too excited just yet. The first few days are a bit of a write-off for clean conditions. The wind is a problem – it’s strong and cross-shore, making for a lumpy, choppy mess. This initial swell is just too messy to recommend. We’re talking Wednesday the 12th through to Sunday the 16th, with only marginal, low-scoring windows amidst generally poor surf.
The real story here is for the more experienced crew. We’ve got a standout coming up on Thursday the 20th. Chinamans is the only name in the game for this forecast, and it’s a reef break, so you need your wits about you. On Thursday morning, the wind shifts to a clean offshore from the NNW, and we’re looking at a solid 5.6ft swell from the southwest. The wave energy is moderate (1438), so it’s got some punch but isn't out of control. This is the best call for a proper session – clean, offshore lines with that long-period energy (16 seconds) making for some real quality. Crowds are a possibility here, so get in early.
Friday the 21st morning is another cracker for the same spot. The swell picks up to 7.9ft, pushing into the big category. This is expert territory now. The wind stays light offshore from the NNW, so the face will be glassy, but that’s a lot of water moving. It’s powerful, with very long-period groundswell (12 seconds) which on a reef will produce some big, clean walls. This is a serious session for the experienced chargers.
After that, the pattern gets a bit messy again with onshore winds and lumpy conditions, though there are a few cleaner windows in the afternoons towards the end of the month. A nice clean-up shows on the 26th of August with afternoon offshore winds and a 7.5ft south-west swell. Again, that’s a big wave, making it a good call for the experts looking for a mid-week fix.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off unless you love battling the wind for a few average waves. The real focus is on the 20th and the 21st. Thursday the 20th morning is your pick for the best combination of size, power, and that glassy offshore wind. Friday the 21st morning is for the big-wave specialists only.
Stay safe out there.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 13°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed morning, light winds from the SW by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 5808 | 5357 | 4869 | 4136 | 3557 | 4107 | 3937 | 3502 | 3058 | 2453 | 2129 | 1542 | 1402 | 1063 | 886 | 1456 | 1384 | 800 | 1174 | 765 | 416 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:53PM1.08m | 2:26AM0.46m | 2:27PM1.08m | 2:49AM0.57m | 2:57PM1.03m | 3:17AM0.67m | 3:23PM0.96m | 3:45AM0.75m | 3:46PM0.86m | 4:14AM0.81m | 4:04PM0.76m | 4:43AM0.83m | 4:16PM0.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:14PM0.12m | 7:25AM0.15m | 9:24PM0.11m | 8:14AM0.11m | 9:36PM0.09m | 8:57AM0.11m | 9:50PM0.09m | 9:36AM0.13m | 10:03PM0.08m | 10:14AM0.18m | 10:15PM0.08m | 10:49AM0.25m | 10:25PM0.09m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 2030 | — | 2349 | 4136 | 3557 | 4107 | 3937 | 3502 | 3058 | 2453 | 2129 | 1542 | 1402 | 1063 | 886 | 1456 | 1384 | 746 | 1174 | 765 | 416 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 26 | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 19 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 86 | 361 | 800 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | E 4 | E 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | N 6 |
| kJ | 5808 | 5357 | 4869 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 69 | 78 | 136 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 738 | 729 | 167 | 11 | 32 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 13 | 166 | 81 | 112 |
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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