Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 09 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.0° C
0.3° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 18s period, SW swell with 8,212 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 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 14) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 15s period. 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 3.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 14th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 15s
Best Surf12AM (Fri 14th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 6AM (Mon 10th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it.

First up, we’ve got a solid run of SW groundswell coming through for Chinamans (reef break). It’s an advanced spot, exposed to the SW, and it’s fairly consistent. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The week kicks off on Monday the 10th with a big pulse of swell – 12 ft from the SW, period 17 seconds, and a combined energy of 6886 (moderate to strong). Problem is, the wind is howling from the SW at 22 mph, cross-onshore, making it lumpy. Not one to get excited about. Monday afternoon drops a touch to 10 ft, but still cross-shore wind at 19 mph, so messy.

Tuesday the 11th sees the swell ease to 6 ft, but the wind swings NNW offshore at 22 mph, blowing clean. The period is 14 seconds, so there’s still some push. However, the combined energy drops to 1402, so it’s weaker. And at 6 ft, it’s still pretty solid for a reef break, not for beginners. The offshore wind is a major positive, but it’s marginal. The afternoon is similar, 5 ft, strong offshore at 25 mph, but that wind makes it hard to paddle into.

Wednesday the 12th gets another bump – 12 ft SW swell, 17 seconds, energy jumps to 8119. But the wind is back to cross-shore from the WSW at 22 mph, so it’s lumpy again. The afternoon is much the same, 10 ft, 9089 energy, but still cross-shore. Not clean.

Thursday the 13th: still a solid 10 ft SW swell, 16 seconds, energy 4189. The morning wind is moderate cross-shore from the WSW at 12 mph, so there’s chop. The afternoon improves a bit – wind drops to 12 mph from the W, cross-offshore, and the report says “clean.” That’s a window. The swell is 8 ft, so it’s big, but clean at a reef break with a long period of 16 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. Could be a standout for the week if you can handle the size.

Friday the 14th: 10 ft SW, 17 seconds, 5435 energy. Morning wind is gentle cross-shore, slight chop. Afternoon goes cross-onshore, so it gets choppy again. Not the pick.

Saturday the 15th is a write-off – onshore wind, 8 ft, messy.

Sunday the 16th: smaller, 6 ft, cross-onshore wind, not great.

Now, Monday the 17th – the morning is still a bit average, but Monday afternoon is a beauty. The swell drops to 5 ft from the SW, period 16 seconds, energy 1155. And the wind? Glassy. NNW at 3 mph, dead calm. This is where it gets good for experienced surfers – clean, lined-up waves. That’s your best bet for the first week.

Tuesday the 18th keeps it clean: 4 ft to 5 ft SW, long period 18-19 seconds, light cross-offshore winds. Glassy or clean all day. The energy is moderate (1500), but the quality is high. This is a great session for a reef break – long period groundswell, clean, and not too big.

Wednesday the 19th: still clean, but wind picks up to 16 mph cross-offshore. Swell 5 ft, period 16 seconds. A bit more wind, but still rideable.

Thursday the 20th builds again. The morning is 8 ft SW, 16 seconds, 3452 energy, moderate cross-offshore wind. Then Thursday afternoon is the standout of the whole outlook: 12 ft SW, 15 seconds, combined energy 5603, with gentle offshore wind from the NW at 9 mph. That’s exceptional for expert surfers. This is a big, clean, powerful swell at Chinamans. If you’re an advanced surfer, this is the session to circle – Thursday the 20th afternoon.

Friday the 21st: still solid, 8 ft to 8 ft, clean, but the wind is a bit stronger. Good, but not as good as Thursday.

The last few days – Saturday the 22nd through to Tuesday the 25th – the swell drops to 5 ft-6 ft, but the wind gets strong again, 19-34 mph, and it’s mostly cross-offshore or cross-onshore. The energy drops, and the conditions turn poor. Not worth it.

So, overall: the first week is a mixed bag of big swell and lumpy wind, but you’ve got a true standout on Monday the 17th afternoon with glassy conditions, and another on Thursday the 20th afternoon with big, clean, offshore power. Those are the ones to aim for. The rest is either too windy or too small.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sun night, moderate winds from the WNW by Mon night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
6
3
2
2
0
6
6
4
3
4
5
5
2
2
2
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
SW
19
3.5
SW
17
3
WSW
16
2.2
SW
16
1.8
SW
14
1.6
SW
18
3.5
SW
17
3.5
SW
17
3
SW
17
3
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
3
SW
17
3
SW
16
2.4
SW
16
2.3
SW
16
2.3
SW
16
2.1
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
7740
6886
5155
2295
1402
1482
5970
6066
5673
4169
4189
3411
3307
5435
4209
2839
2453
2453
1760
Wind (km/h)
50
SSW
35
SW
30
WSW
20
NW
35
NNW
40
NNW
40
SW
35
WSW
30
SW
25
WSW
20
WSW
20
W
15
WNW
15
WSW
15
SW
15
S
10
SSE
10
SSE
10
SE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
off
off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
High Tide
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
3:23PM0.96m
Low Tide
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
8:57AM0.11m
9:50PM0.09m
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:47
5:49
5:50
 mm
2
1
9
1
Temp °C
14
12
13
13
14
15
12
14
14
14
14
14
15
15
14
13
13
13
13
Feels °C
7
4
8
8
6
6
5
7
8
9
10
10
11
11
10
9
9
9
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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