Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 06 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.0° C
0.2° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 19s period, SW swell with 10,338 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. 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 4.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 7th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 15s
Best Surf12AM (Fri 7th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 15s
Most Powerful12PM (Wed 12th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s coming our way.

We’ve got a solid window of surf on the cards, but it’s a mixed bag of conditions. The standout sessions are definitely tucked away in the second week, so we’ll need a bit of patience.

The first real action kicks off on Friday the 7th of August. Chinamans (a reef setup) will be seeing a solid 8 ft to 7 ft SW groundswell with a very long 16 to 17-second period. The combined wave energy is pumping at a strong 2475. The catch is a moderate cross-offshore breeze from the north, which keeps things clean, but the data flags it as marginal. It’s a tricky one, but for the advanced crew, there’s size and power.

Saturday the 8th looks better. The swell drops slightly to 6 ft from the SW, but the wind turns offshore from the NNW. The morning has a fresh breeze (19 mph), but the afternoon eases to a moderate breeze. The energy is still strong at 1613 in the morning. Saturday afternoon is the first real highlight with a score that suggests excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The offshore wind will groom that long-period (15-16 seconds) SW swell, making for some clean, powerful lines. Just be aware, with a period over 15 seconds, it can be a bit too straight for beach breaks, but for a reef like Chinamans, it should offer some proper shape.

Sunday the 9th is a write-off. A near gale from the WSW and SW will destroy the surface with 8 ft to 10 ft of messy, blown-out swell. The energy is very strong (3417), but it’s a battle out there with crossing waves and poor conditions. Not worth paddling out.

Monday the 10th is for the big-wave hunters only. The swell jumps to 12 ft from the SW, with a very long 17-second period, and the energy is a massive 7095. The wind is a fresh cross-shore from the WSW, creating lumpy, cross-chop. This is serious, powerful, and dangerous. Only for experts.

The 11th of August offers a cleanout. The offshore wind is strong (28 mph) from the NNW, which makes for a glassy surface on the 6 ft SW swell. The problem is it’s so strong it’s hard to paddle into. The energy is still moderate (1630), but it’s a frustrating session.

Wednesday the 12th is another total loss. The swell peaks at 13 ft from the SW with a 19-second period, producing a massive 10004 energy. But a near gale cross-shore wind makes it a complete mess. Avoid.

Thursday the 13th is where things get interesting. The swell is a solid 12 ft from the SW, with a 16-second period and a massive 9330 energy. The wind is a moderate cross-offshore from the west, keeping it clean. This is a standout session for the experienced crew. That’s the best call of the week.

Friday the 14th declines. The wind shifts to a moderate cross-onshore from the SW, making the 10 ft SW swell (4402-5326 energy) choppy and messy. Not great.

Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th see the swell drop to 8 ft to 5 ft. The wind is light and from the east or southeast, making for clean but sloppy conditions. The energy is moderate (949-2668). It’s a marginal time.

The True Standout: Monday the 17th of August. The swell is 5 ft from the SW with a 15-second period (1138 energy). The wind is glassy—absolutely zero wind. This is a rare, clean, and perfect setup for the reef. The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is your best bet for a clean, fun session.

The Second Standout: Tuesday the 18th of August. The swell is 6 ft from the SW (1744 energy) and the afternoon goes glassy from the NNW. Again, excellent conditions for experienced surfers, with clean, glassy waves.

Wednesday the 19th continues the good run with a moderate offshore wind from the north and a 7 ft to 7 ft SW swell (2169-2241 energy). Excellent conditions.

The final days, the 20th to the 22nd of August, are poor. The wind turns onshore again, and the swell gets messy. No-go.

To wrap it up: the best surf is on Thursday the 13th for the big, clean power, and Monday the 17th for the glassy perfection. Both are only for advanced surfers due to the size and power. If you’re a beginner, stay well clear of any of these days.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Thu night, near gales from the SW by Sun morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the NW on Mon afternoon, near gales from the WSW by Tue night).

Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
3
2
3
4
1
0
0
0
5
3
3
1
1
0
0
0
6
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SW
15
2.3
SW
16
2.1
SW
17
1.8
SW
16
1.8
SW
16
1.8
SW
15
1.7
SW
14
2.5
WSW
16
3
SW
15
4
SW
19
3.5
SW
17
3
SW
16
2.1
SW
16
1.8
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
3.5
SW
17
3.5
SW
19
4
SW
18
3.5
WSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2350
2475
2471
1761
1613
1432
1155
3417
4301
9661
7095
4701
2120
1289
905
6868
10004
8461
6695
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
25
N
25
N
30
N
30
NNW
25
NNW
35
N
55
WSW
50
SW
50
SW
35
WSW
25
W
30
NNW
45
NNW
40
NNW
45
WSW
50
WSW
40
SW
25
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
off
off
off
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
6:55AM0.84m
8:33AM0.83m
11:06AM0.88m
12:25PM0.97m
2:55AM0.27m
1:14PM1.05m
2:11AM0.35m
1:53PM1.08m
2:26AM0.46m
Low Tide
11:00PM0.11m
11:08PM0.10m
11:05PM0.12m
10:18PM0.14m
9:24PM0.14m
4:16AM0.27m
9:11PM0.13m
6:22AM0.21m
9:14PM0.12m
clear
cloud
cloud
mod rain
clear
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
 mm
6
4
5
4
2
1
1
3
4
1
Temp °C
15
14
15
14
14
17
14
12
12
12
13
13
13
15
16
13
13
13
13
Feels °C
13
8
10
8
8
13
7
1
1
1
6
7
6
5
8
2
2
4
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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