Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with 6,811 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a coffee and listen up. This is a tough one to call. We're looking at Chinamans, a reef break that's best on a SW swell, and for the next week and a half, it's a real mixed bag. The water temp is sitting where it should be for this time of year, nothing unusual there.
The whole 16-day window is a bit of a grind, to be honest. The surf is on the cards, but it's a constant battle with the wind and tide. The first standout is on the afternoon of the 13th of August. The swell is 10 ft from the SW with a period of 15 seconds, which is a proper groundswell. The combined swell energy is 3511 (moderate), and the wind is a moderate cross-offshore breeze. That's the cleanest window you'll see in the first week, even if the tide might be a bit of a factor. It's a solid option for the experienced surfer.
Now, the real gem is hiding way down the line. Fast forward to the 25th of August. The Tuesday afternoon session is borderline perfect. You've got a 8 ft SW swell with a 15-second period, and 4218 (strong) combined energy. The wind is a glassy 5 km/h from the west. That's as clean as it gets. This is the true standout of the whole forecast. It's a solid day for experienced surfers, but it's a long way out, so keep an eye on it.
Other than that, it's a lot of cross-shore and cross-onshore winds, lumpy conditions, and some days that are just too big and messy for any real fun. The 23rd of August looks like a write-off with a fresh onshore breeze and a lumpy sea. The 26th and 27th are also duds with strong onshore winds. There's a lot of waiting in between the good bits.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue night, calm by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | WSW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4544 | 6811 | 5357 | 4869 | 4136 | 3511 | 4107 | 3937 | 3502 | 3458 | 2653 | 2314 | 1421 | 1196 | 1077 | 791 | 1082 | 1200 | 836 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 2:11AM0.35m | 1:53PM1.08m | 2:26AM0.46m | 2:27PM1.08m | 2:49AM0.57m | 2:57PM1.03m | 3:17AM0.67m | 3:23PM0.96m | 3:45AM0.75m | 3:46PM0.86m | 4:14AM0.81m | 4:04PM0.76m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:22AM0.21m | 9:14PM0.12m | 7:25AM0.15m | 9:24PM0.11m | 8:14AM0.11m | 9:36PM0.09m | 8:57AM0.11m | 9:50PM0.09m | 9:36AM0.13m | 10:03PM0.08m | 10:14AM0.18m | 10:15PM0.08m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | |  |  |  | | | |
 | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | WSW 17 | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 1050 | 6811 | — | 2349 | 4136 | 3511 | 4107 | 3937 | 3502 | 3458 | 2653 | 2314 | 1421 | 1196 | 1077 | 791 | 1082 | 1200 | 836 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 26 | SW 23 | SW 22 | SW 19 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 86 | 227 | 800 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | E 4 | E 4 | NE 4 |
| kJ | 4544 | 5550 | 5357 | 4869 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | 3 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 16 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 168 | 738 | 729 | 162 | 11 | 162 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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