
Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 4,553 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 16s 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let’s break down the upcoming stretch. It’s a mixed bag, so you gotta be patient and pick your moments.
First, the next few days are a total loss. Wednesday the 9th we have a meaty 10-foot SW swell with a long 18-second period, but that ESE cross-onshore wind has turned Chinamans into a messy, lumpy washing machine. All that energy (5964) is just wasted. Thursday the 10th is the same story—still big at 8 foot, but the cross-onshore breeze keeps it choppy and junky.
Friday the 11th backs off to around 6 foot, but it's still cross-shore and not clean. Marginal at best. You’ll be fighting it more than enjoying it.
Then things flip on Saturday the 12th. The swell eases to about 6 foot, and the wind swings to a light NE cross-off, cleaning it right up. By the afternoon, it’s 5 foot, with a NNE cross-off and glassy conditions. This is the first good window. The energy is moderate, but there’s enough push to get some proper ones.
Sunday the 13th the swell drops to around 4 foot, and the morning north wind is a bit stronger. It’s clean, but the size is fading. Monday the 14th it bottoms out—down to about waist-high in the morning. Water temp is about normal for this time of year, nothing wild.
Now, the good stuff. The middle of next week brings a new pulse. Tuesday the 15th jacks back up to 8 foot, but a SE cross-on wind ruins it again. Poor conditions.
But Wednesday the 16th is the day. We’ve got a solid 7-8 foot SW swell, and the wind goes light ENE cross-off in the morning. It’s clean, powerful, and the energy is strong at 2589. Then in the afternoon, the wind dies completely—just a slight NNE breeze. It’s going to be glassy, lined-up perfection. This is the standout of the whole run. Excellent surf for the experienced crew.
Thursday the 17th keeps it fun. The swell is down to about 6 foot, but you’ve got a proper offshore N wind in the morning and light cross-off in the afternoon. Clean, punchy, and still plenty of push. Another solid day.
Friday the 18th is a bit of a step down. A morning S-SE onshore wind will make it lumpy, but there’s still 6-foot swell. The afternoon improves with a light cross-on, but it’s not as pristine as the previous days.
After that, we hit a flat spell. The 19th and 20th are tiny, with strong cross-off winds. Not worth getting out of bed for.
The week after, we see a slow rebuild. Monday the 21st is small and weak. Tuesday and Wednesday the 22nd and 23rd bring it back to around 5-6 foot, but the winds are inconsistent—some light cross-shore, some onshore. It’s rideable, but nothing to write home about.
But keep an eye on Thursday the 24th. That’s the long-range gem. A new SW groundswell is on the charts, pushing 10 feet with a 15-second period and light offshore N winds. The energy is reading 5705—that’s a serious amount of juice. This is the other standout of the window. It’s more than a week out, so the details will change, but if it materializes, it could be a day to remember at Chinamans. The afternoon will still have 7-8 foot and light winds, so there should be waves all day.
So, the plan: clear your schedule for the 16th. That’s the one. The 24th is a big promise, but we’ll see how it shapes up. Until then, keep the board handy and the wax warm.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Wed afternoon, light winds from the E by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat night, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
5921 | 4553 | 3293 | 2692 | 1585 | 1361 | 1983 | 1875 | 1456 | 1265 | 671 | 823 | 710 | 479 | 285 | 996 | 478 | 2509 | 2094 | 1618 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:56AM0.47m | 1:43PM0.90m | 2:08AM0.60m | 2:11PM0.87m | 2:29AM0.72m | 2:36PM0.82m | 2:51AM0.82m | 2:58PM0.75m | 3:15AM0.88m | 3:16PM0.68m | 3:39AM0.92m | 3:32PM0.60m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:23PM0.10m | 7:02AM0.17m | 8:25PM0.08m | 7:47AM0.09m | 8:34PM0.06m | 8:25AM0.05m | 8:44PM0.04m | 9:00AM0.04m | 8:56PM0.02m | 9:32AM0.06m | 9:08PM0.02m | 10:02AM0.10m | 9:19PM0.02m | |||||||
— | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Feels °C | 5 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
5921 | 4553 | 3293 | 2692 | 1585 | 1361 | 1983 | 1875 | 1456 | 1265 | 671 | 823 | 710 | 479 | 285 | 412 | 478 | 2509 | 2094 | 1618 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 26 | SW 25 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | E 3 | N 4 | W 4 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 27 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | 387 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 95 | 155 | 260 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 4 | WNW 5 | — | NW 3 | SW 18 | SSE 3 | — | ESE 4 | ESE 4 |
43 | 58 | 23 | 13 | 16 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | 7 | 22 | 5 | — | 2 | 996 | 2 | — | 5 | 20 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1820 | 332 | 332 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 81 | 160 | 7 | 7 | 138 | 32 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
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.










