Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 19s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 2,758 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 0.3m and 3s. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mates, Rusty here. We got a mixed run of surf coming up at Chinamans. Not much happening right away, but there’s some serious juice later on if you’re patient.
First decent window shows up Thursday the 17th of September afternoon. The wind goes glassy – barely a breath – and you get a clean 1.4m SW swell. Small but tidy. The morning was still a bit bumpy with cross wind, but that afternoon is a nice little session.
Friday the 18th is the real gem of the first week. Morning has a fresh offshore NNW wind at 30 km/h blowing over a 1.4m SW groundswell with a 18-second period. Clean conditions and long lines – that reef is gonna be working. The energy is moderate at 1124, but it’s all about quality. The afternoon stays offshore, smaller at 1.1m but still clean. Good for a fun session.
Then things go south for a bit – strong winds and messy conditions through the 19th and 20th. Not worth paddling out.
The big one is Monday the 21st of September afternoon. 3.0m SW groundswell, 17-second period, gentle offshore NNW wind at 15 km/h. Energy is massive at 4788. That’s clean, powerful, and lined up. Only for experienced surfers – too big for the average punter – but if you’re keen, this is the session to aim for.
Tuesday the 22nd keeps the goodness going. Glassy morning with 2.3m SW groundswell, 16-second period, energy 2578. Still big, still clean.
Later in the second week, Sunday the 27th morning brings a huge 3.5m SSW swell with 18-second period and energy at 13957, but the wind is onshore, so it’s not clean. However, Monday the 28th afternoon is worth a look – glassy wind, 3.5m SSW swell, and excellent conditions for the experienced crew.
Water temp is 15°C, pretty normal for this time of year. You’ll want a good wetsuit.
So, bottom line: Friday the 18th morning is clean and offshore – a solid session. The absolute standout is Monday afternoon the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd – big, clean, powerful. Late in the run, Monday the 28th afternoon is another one for the big-wave crowd.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1141 | 485 | 788 | 573 | 1347 | 2457 | 2527 | 2424 | 2686 | 2620 | 2048 | 1079 | 754 | 577 | 1124 | 653 | 350 | 176 | 1288 | 458 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:15AM0.88m | 3:16PM0.68m | 3:39AM0.92m | 3:32PM0.60m | 4:02AM0.91m | 3:40PM0.53m | 4:25AM0.88m | 3:39PM0.48m | 4:48AM0.82m | 3:20PM0.45m | 5:13AM0.75m | 2:19PM0.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:56PM0.02m | 9:32AM0.06m | 9:08PM0.02m | 10:02AM0.10m | 9:19PM0.02m | 10:31AM0.16m | 9:29PM0.03m | 10:57AM0.25m | 9:36PM0.04m | 11:22AM0.34m | 9:38PM0.06m | 11:49AM0.43m | 9:34PM0.08m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 23 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | N 5 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 4 | 485 | 788 | 197 | 208 | 2457 | 2527 | 2424 | 2686 | 2620 | 2048 | 1079 | 754 | 577 | 1124 | 653 | 350 | 176 | 21 | 73 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | — | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | SW 21 | — | — | W 6 | W 7 | SSW 19 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 4 | — | 95 | 224 | 306 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 214 | — | — | 13 | 8 | 35 | 81 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | — | — | — | SW 19 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 252 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 196 | — | — | — | 58 | 10 | 54 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | — | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | — | — | NNW 4 | N 4 | N 4 | NNW 6 | WSW 13 | WSW 7 |
| kJ | 1141 | 45 | 33 | 573 | 1347 | — | 5 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 2 | — | — | 15 | 10 | 13 | 167 | 1288 | 458 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 373 | 85 | 361 | 162 | 32 | 46 | 32 | 32 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 138 | 0 | 0 | 160 | 163 | 726 |
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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