Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 08 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
14.9° 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 8 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 20s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 19s period, SW swell with 9,270 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s 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 09) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 3.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Sun 9th Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Best Surf 6PM (Sun 9th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 20s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 10th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for the upcoming stretch.

Alright, so we’ve got a mixed bag coming up. The first real window of opportunity looks like it’s going to be a specific slot on Sunday the 9th of August, with a solid but not huge SW groundswell doing the work. The real standout, the one you’d time your week around, is Sunday afternoon.

We’re looking at Chinamans for the main event. This is your classic exposed reef setup, so it needs the right direction and that’s exactly what we’re getting. Sunday afternoon, we’ve got a clean 6 ft swell hammering in from the SW with a deep, long period of 15 seconds. The wind is light and offshore out of the NNW, which is about as good as it gets. This means clean, groomed lines. The combined wave energy is pumping at (2110). It’s going to be a proper session for experienced surfers, no doubt. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Sunday morning is a bit of a gamble. We’ve got a 5 ft SW swell with similar 16-second period, and the combined energy is still healthy (1185), but it’s on the back of a fresh NNE cross-off breeze at 19 mph. It’s rideable, but not the pristine glass we get later in the day. There’s also a risk of thunderstorms, so keep an eye on the sky.

Then we get a rough patch. Monday and Tuesday are a mess. By Monday morning the wind swings SW and jumps to 25 mph, turning the 12 ft SW swell into a complete washing machine. The combined energy climbs to (7178) but it’s all cross-shore junk. That’s kite territory, not paddle. Tuesday is a bit of a tease—strong offshore wind from the NNW keeping the 6 ft to 7 ft swell clean, but the period is long (14-18 seconds) and the wind is howling at 25 to 28 mph, making it a real battle to get out. The energy is high (3352) but it’s a grunt session.

Wednesday through Saturday the 15th is a write-off. The wind is either cross or onshore, the swell is big and lumpy, and the wave quality is poor. The combined energy numbers are high (up to 10361), but it’s all chaotic and messy. Let the swell settle.

We get a bit of a reprieve from Sunday the 16th onwards, but it’s not the same quality. The swell drops to 5 ft to 5 ft, and the wind is mostly cross-shore or cross-on, keeping the surf average. The combined energy stays in the low thousands (1000-1300), so the juice is lower.

Look further out, and there’s a glimmer on the horizon. Saturday the 22nd of August, we’ve got some promising conditions. Chinamans sees a 5 ft SW swell with a 14-second period, combined energy of (1476), and a light cross-off breeze from the north. That’s going to be clean and fun, rating as excellent for experienced surfers. It’s a long way off, so don’t bank on it, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

So, bottom line: Sunday the 9th afternoon is your best bet. Everything else in the first week is either a wind battle or a kite-fest. The second week looks quieter and more average, with that Saturday the 22nd as a potential bonus.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Tue afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, near gales from the SW by Tue afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Wed morning, light winds from the S by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
4
0
0
6
2
2
3
0
0
0
4
3
3
4
4
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SW
14
1.6
SW
16
1.8
SW
15
3.5
SW
19
3.5
SW
17
3.5
WSW
16
2.3
SW
16
1.8
SW
14
2.1
SW
18
3.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
18
3.5
SW
17
3
SW
16
3
SW
15
3
SW
15
3
SW
16
3
SW
17
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1155
1185
1572
7740
7178
5601
2620
1290
2813
6285
7250
6748
4471
3860
3778
3697
4472
4027
3211
Wind (km/h)
35
N
30
NNE
10
NNW
45
SSW
40
SW
30
WSW
25
WNW
40
NNW
45
NW
45
WSW
50
WSW
35
WSW
30
WSW
25
WSW
25
WSW
15
W
10
SSW
5
S
15
SE
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
off
off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
11:06AM0.88m
12:25PM0.97m
2:55AM0.27m
1:14PM1.05m
2:11AM0.35m
1:53PM1.08m
2:26AM0.46m
2:27PM1.08m
2:49AM0.57m
2:57PM1.03m
3:17AM0.67m
Low Tide
11:05PM0.12m
10:18PM0.14m
9:24PM0.14m
4:16AM0.27m
9:11PM0.13m
6:22AM0.21m
9:14PM0.12m
7:25AM0.15m
9:24PM0.11m
8:14AM0.11m
9:36PM0.09m
mod rain
thunderstorm
mod rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:47
5:49
 mm
7
3
9
2
9
3
1
Temp °C
14
15
12
14
12
12
13
14
14
12
14
14
14
14
14
15
14
14
13
Feels °C
7
10
10
7
4
5
8
5
5
2
6
6
8
9
10
11
12
12
10
  • 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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