Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 13 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.1° C
0.5° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 4,605 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s 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 (Aug 20) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 18s. 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 (Aug 13) at 6AM. 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 TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Thu 20th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Thu 20th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 6AM (Thu 13th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the menu at Chinamans over the next couple of weeks.

Chinamans is a reef break that loves a solid SW swell, and we’ve got plenty of that coming. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The real story is the size and the wind—this isn’t a week for beginners, and the standout sessions are for the experienced crew.

The first few days, from Thursday the 13th through Sunday the 16th, are a bit of a write-off for clean surfing. The swell is pumping, 10 ft on Thursday morning with a mighty 16-second period and a combined energy of 4136, but the wind is cross or cross-on, putting a chop on the surface. It’s strong, powerful, and messy. You’d be looking at it more for kiting than paddling, honestly.

Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th see the swell easing slightly, but the wind stays tricky. Monday morning is still cross-on with 6 ft surf, but the period stays long at 16 seconds. Tuesday morning brings a fresh NNE breeze—cross-off, so the surface cleans up nicely, but the swell drops to 5 ft and the energy is down to 1297. It’s rideable, but not the best of the run.

Now, here’s the first real highlight. Wednesday the 19th morning: offshore NNW wind at 12 mph, 4 ft of SW swell, 15-second period, and the energy is low at 505. The conditions are clean, and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is a nice, clean, smaller day for the experienced surfer who wants a smooth session without the crowd chaos. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Thursday the 20th morning picks up again—7 ft, 16-second period, offshore NNW wind, and energy back up to 1880. It’s clean but the size is creeping up. Friday the 21st afternoon is the absolute standout: 7 ft of SW groundswell, 15-second period, clean offshore NNW wind at 16 mph, and a combined energy of 2817. The guidance says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the one to circle. The swell direction is right on the money for Chinamans, and the offshore wind will have it glassy. Just be aware, long-period swells like this can make the sets a bit more spaced out, but the shape will be top-notch.

The weekend of the 22nd and 23rd gets blown out again with strong WSW winds, and the 23rd Sunday morning brings a massive 8 ft, 21-second period swell from the WSW—energy hits 6221—but the wind is strong and messy. That’s a big, powerful, and lumpy ocean. Not for the faint-hearted.

Moving into the second week, Monday the 24th afternoon has 12 ft of SW swell, 16-second period, and a fresh W cross-off wind keeping it clean. Energy is 6051. That’s a serious, heavy swell. Only for experts. Tuesday the 25th morning is still big at 10 ft, but the period drops to 13 seconds, and the wind stays cross-off.

From Wednesday the 26th onward, the swell fades quickly. The last few days of the month are small, with clean conditions on Friday the 28th morning—3 ft, 14-second period, NE cross-off wind, but only 421 energy. It’s a fade-out.

So, the two true standouts: Wednesday the 19th morning for a clean, smaller, offshore session, and Friday the 21st afternoon for the best combination of size, direction, and glassy offshore wind. That Friday afternoon is the pick of the lot.

Stay safe, pick your moment, and I’ll see you out there.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Mon morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Tue night).

Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
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
4
3
4
3
3
2
0
0
1
0
0
2
3
3
2
1
0
1
1
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
SW
16
3
SW
15
3
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.3
SW
16
2.2
SW
15
1.8
SW
15
1.7
SW
14
1.6
SW
14
1.5
SW
14
1.6
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.1
SW
19
1.5
SW
17
1.3
SW
16
1
SW
16
1.2
SW
15
1.1
SW
15
1.6
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
4136
3557
4158
3937
3502
3415
2620
2255
1308
1196
1077
886
1330
1281
791
1312
854
480
640
535
951
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
20
W
15
WSW
10
SW
10
SSW
15
ESE
15
ESE
20
ESE
25
E
20
ESE
20
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
ENE
25
NE
30
NNE
30
NE
35
NNE
35
WNW
25
W
20
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
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
4:43AM0.83m
4:16PM0.66m
5:12AM0.83m
4:16PM0.57m
Low Tide
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
10:49AM0.25m
10:25PM0.09m
11:23AM0.34m
10:31PM0.11m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:01
6:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:51
5:52
5:52
 mm
8
1
Temp °C
14
14
14
14
14
14
13
13
13
13
12
13
14
16
14
15
16
16
14
14
14
Feels °C
10
10
10
12
11
11
10
8
8
7
6
10
11
13
9
10
10
9
8
9
10
  • 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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