Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 7,868 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright gang, Rusty here with the rundown for your local stretch.
This ain't a simple one. We're looking at a first week that's got some serious muscle, but the wind is going to be your biggest obstacle. There's one day that looks absolutely primed, but you gotta know when to strike.
The main attraction is Chinamans, a proper reef that just loves a good south-west swell.
Things get going on Wednesday, September 2nd. The swell's starting to show at about 7ft from the south-west, but that 12 mph west wind is making it a rough and tumble affair. Not worth getting your board waxed for.
Thursday the 3rd sees the swell hammer down, hitting a solid 10ft from the south-west. But the wind is all over the place, cross-shore and gusty, making the surface bumpy and ugly. The energy is huge, but the quality is poor for a paddle session.
Now, mark your calendar for Friday, September 4th. This is the one. The swell is holding a strong 10ft from the south-west, but the wind has gone light out of the north-northwest, giving us a clean, groomed face. The energy is pumping and with a 16-second period, it's a serious groundswell. This is the standout session of the whole period. Expect clean, powerful lines on the reef.
Saturday the 5th keeps the swell up at 10ft, but the wind is back on it from the west-southwest, making the afternoon session a lumpy mess.
Sunday, September 6th, offers a nice calm after the storm. The swell drops to about 6ft in the afternoon, and the wind becomes nearly non-existent. The energy is low, but the surf will be glassy and clean. A great option if you want a mellow, clean ride.
Then the hammer drops. From Monday the 7th, the wind swings onshore from the south-east and doesn't let up. The swell explodes, peaking at over 13ft on Wednesday the 9th with an insane amount of energy. But with the wind howling straight on, it's a complete mess. For a solid week, from the 7th right through to the 15th of September, it's a big, stormy, onshore sludge. This is kite-surfing conditions, not a paddle surfer's dream.
The second week is a long, frustrating gap of poor conditions. Things finally calm down towards the very end.
Wednesday, September 16th is a dawn patrol special dawn patrol. A smooth 6ft south-west groundswell, and the wind is glassy. Not a ripple. The energy is moderate, but the quality will be pure. A great session for the experienced surfer.
And the very last day, Thursday, September 17th, looks promising. Another glassy morning with the swell up to 8ft from the south-west, with a very long period of 18 seconds. The energy is strong, and the conditions look perfect. It's a long way out, so call it a hopeful prospect, but it looks like a beauty.
So, to sum it up: Friday the 4th is your big, powerful winner, and the mornings of the 16th and 17th look like clean, classy sessions to finish the 16 days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed night, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu night, fresh winds from the NNW by Fri afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri night, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the ESE by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1082 | 2185 | 2169 | 2834 | 3025 | 3419 | 4264 | 4218 | 3455 | 3603 | 4078 | 4469 | 3563 | 1983 | 1139 | 444 | 242 | 872 | 4553 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:12AM0.91m | 3:51PM0.59m | 4:43AM0.92m | 3:53PM0.51m | 5:20AM0.90m | 3:32PM0.45m | 6:08AM0.84m | 7:40AM0.76m | 11:29AM0.78m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 9:37PM0.04m | 10:33AM0.18m | 9:47PM0.02m | 11:12AM0.26m | 9:58PM0.00m | 12:03PM0.37m | 10:08PM0.00m | 10:11PM0.02m | 9:54PM0.06m | 9:04PM0.10m | |||||||||
— | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
6:01 | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | E 4 |
1082 | 2185 | 2169 | 934 | 1536 | 3419 | 4264 | 4218 | 3455 | 1069 | 936 | 2328 | 3563 | 1983 | 1139 | 444 | 242 | 872 | 5 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 16 | NNW 5 | SW 23 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 19 |
13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 458 | 3 | 21 | 75 | 428 | 1967 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 22 | NW 7 | NE 5 |
311 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 73 | 9 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 6 | W 4 | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | — | — | N 5 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | — | NE 4 | NNE 5 | N 5 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | SW 19 |
— | 22 | 28 | 2834 | 3025 | — | — | — | 66 | 3603 | 4078 | 4469 | — | 15 | 44 | 129 | 322 | 171 | 4553 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 7 | 540 | 162 | 745 | 168 | 0 | 11 | 81 | 726 | 1186 | 1186 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 332 | 332 | 29 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











