Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, SW swell with 4,214 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore 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 Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for Chinamans.
The next few days are a mixed bag, but there’s some real magic lining up. We’ve got a solid SW groundswell rolling in with some very long periods, which is perfect for this reef setup.
Wednesday morning (26 August) is where it starts to get interesting. The swell is a clean 5ft from the SW with a period of 13 seconds, and the wind is offshore from the NNW. That’s a recipe for groomed faces. The combined energy is moderate (877). It’s not huge, but the conditions will be special for anyone who knows the place.
The real standout comes later. Monday morning (31 August) is the pick of the entire window. Swell hits 8ft from the SW, period 17 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is strong (3621) and the wind is light and cross-off from the north. This is excellent. This break is for advanced surfers, and with that size, the take-off will be critical. The water temp feels average for the time of year, nothing to write home about. Crowds can be an issue here sometimes, but days like this might thin the pack out.
Thursday (27 August) afternoon is also a beauty: 5ft SW at 14 seconds, clean offshore breeze from the north. Moderate energy (1552) but super clean. Sunday (30 August) afternoon gets glassy with a 5ft 19-second swell – that long period will really line up on the reef. Combined energy (2032) is good.
After that, the first week of September holds some more solid energy. Friday (4 September) morning has 6ft SW and offshore north winds. Then the weekend (5 and 6 September) sees a big pulse – swell jumps to 10ft to 12ft. That’s expert territory only. The wind is messy on Saturday with a strong cross-onshore, but Sunday (6 September) afternoon has clean cross-off winds and a massive 12ft swell from the SW. The combined energy hits 8747 – that’s very strong. For experienced surfers, Monday (7 September) afternoon could be the climax: 12ft SW at 17 seconds, clean, with a combined energy of 7319. That’s exceptional. By the 8th and 9th, strong onshores ruin the quality.
So, bottom line: for most surfers, the Wednesday (26 August) to Monday (31 August) window is the sweet spot. For the crew ready to step up, the first week of September offers some serious, heavy groundswell.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Mon night, calm by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu night, min 16°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 932 | 3171 | 2265 | 1238 | 827 | 591 | 209 | 565 | 821 | 3122 | 2537 | 1809 | 1011 | 802 | 444 | 315 | 450 | 1965 | 4214 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross |
High Tide | 3:38AM0.37m | 1:22PM0.86m | 2:36AM0.40m | 1:44PM0.90m | 2:26AM0.46m | 2:05PM0.93m | 2:32AM0.53m | 2:25PM0.93m | 2:45AM0.61m | 2:45PM0.90m | 3:02AM0.70m | 3:05PM0.85m | 3:22AM0.78m | ||||||
Low Tide | 5:30AM0.36m | 9:03PM0.14m | 6:37AM0.29m | 8:59PM0.13m | 7:15AM0.22m | 9:00PM0.11m | 7:48AM0.16m | 9:04PM0.10m | 8:19AM0.12m | 9:11PM0.08m | 8:51AM0.09m | 9:19PM0.07m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 4 | 803 | 2265 | 1238 | 827 | 591 | 209 | 565 | 821 | 3122 | 2537 | 1809 | 1011 | 802 | 444 | 315 | 240 | 1965 | 4214 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | SE 5 | — | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 21 | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | SW 23 | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 12 | — |
| kJ | 3 | 1 | — | 7 | 50 | 129 | 209 | 287 | 731 | — | — | — | — | 21 | 83 | 222 | 450 | 67 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | N 4 | N 4 | — | — | — | — | E 3 | — | E 3 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 932 | 3171 | 2119 | — | — | — | — | 21 | 12 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 138 | 526 | 46 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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