Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.2°C
0.6° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 26 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: Friday 28 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, SW swell with 3,235 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chinamans in the next 16 days are 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Wed 26th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Fri 28th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 18s
Most Powerful 3AM (Fri 28th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let's break this down in feet and miles per hour.

We’ve got one spot on the radar and it’s a beauty. Chinamans is a reef break that's gonna be our main focus, and honestly, for a stretch it will be absolutely pumping. The water's sitting at 59°F, which is just about what you'd expect for this time of year.

The real action kicks off on Wednesday the 26th of August. Morning session is looking solid, with a clean 5ft SW swell at 13 seconds. The wind is glassy out of the NW, so it'll be a picture-perfect start. That afternoon cleans up a touch more with cross-offshore winds, and the swell settles to a fun 4ft. The combined wave energy is moderate at 877 (morning), so there's some decent push.

Thursday the 27th is where it gets tasty. The morning is clean with a moderate offshore breeze from the N at 12 mph, wrapping up a 4ft SW groundswell. But come Thursday afternoon, it's a standout. We’ve got clean offshore winds, a stronger 5ft SW groundswell, and the energy jumps way up to 1849. This is where the experienced crew are going to be in their element. Friday the 28th is another absolute stunner. Morning brings a bigger 7ft SW groundswell at a long 16 seconds with clean cross-offshore winds, and the energy is pumping at 2537. Then Friday afternoon is a dream – glassy conditions with the wind dropping to zero, and a 7ft SW groundswell. That's a 2087 energy reading and perfect conditions.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are a bit of a write-off unfortunately. The wind shifts onshore and cross-onshore, making for choppy, messy conditions. The swell hangs around but it's not worth paddling out for.

Now, here's the real gold. Things turn back on big time. Monday the 31st of August, the morning sees a powerful 7ft SW groundswell with cross-offshore wind, and the energy is a solid 3036. Monday afternoon is even better with clean offshore wind. Tuesday the 1st of September picks up with a strong offshore breeze, keeping everything glassy.

Then we have to look ahead to the second week. On Saturday the 5th of September, a solid 8ft SW groundswell rolls in, but the wind is a messy cross-shore from the WSW. This break is going to get lumpy and choppy, so it might be more interesting for kite surfers than paddle surfers. Sunday the 6th cleans up nicely in the morning with a cross-offshore breeze and a 8ft SW groundswell, energy reading of 3248.

The absolute highlight, the one to circle on your calendar, is Thursday the 10th of September. The morning session is looking exceptional. A beast of an 12ft SW groundswell, period at 14 seconds, and a clean moderate offshore wind. The wave energy is absolutely massive at 5047. This is big, powerful, expert-only territory. If you can handle it, this could be a day for the memory books. The afternoon sees the wind shift, so the morning is the window.

So overall, Chinamans fires for a solid run from Wednesday the 26th through Friday the 28th, then gets a bit messy, then turns on again from Monday the 31st. The real standout peak is Friday the 28th afternoon with glassy conditions and Thursday the 10th of September morning for the huge swell. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the NNW by Mon night).

Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
3
4
5
4
4
2
1
2
1
1
2
2
4
4
4
3
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)
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
0.9
SW
12
1.3
SW
14
1.6
SW
14
2.3
SW
18
2.2
SW
16
2.1
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
0.8
SW
20
1.6
SW
18
1.8
SW
17
2.1
SW
18
2.1
SW
17
1.9
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.7
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
827
591
232
623
1006
3122
2537
2087
1108
802
495
363
455
1550
1818
2700
2683
1809
1179
988
1410
Wind (km/h)
5
NW
10
NW
15
NNE
20
N
10
NNW
10
NNE
10
NNE
0
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
10
SSE
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
E
15
NNE
15
N
20
N
30
NNW
15
NNW
5
SW
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross
High Tide
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
3:23PM0.77m
3:46AM0.86m
3:39PM0.69m
Low Tide
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
9:24AM0.09m
9:27PM0.05m
9:57AM0.12m
9:37PM0.04m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
6:48
6:48
6:47
6:45
6:43
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:58
5:59
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
 mm
Temp °C
13
13
12
14
16
16
17
17
16
15
16
14
14
15
15
16
17
19
17
20
18
Feels °C
11
10
9
10
13
13
15
14
12
13
14
12
10
11
11
12
13
15
11
16
16
  • 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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