Chinamans Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.29° S 136.87° E

Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 06 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chinamans sea temperature is
15.3°C
0.8° 

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


Chinamans surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, SW swell with 6,632 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 17s 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 17s 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 3.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 8th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 17s
Best Surf 9AM (Tue 8th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 17s
Most Powerful 9AM (Wed 9th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at the only game in town for the next couple of weeks. We’re dialling in on one spot for a long stretch of south-west groundswell, so let’s get into it.

We’ve got a long run of surf on the cards, but the start is a bit of a fizzer. Monday the 7th is not worth paddling out for—wind is junk and the swell is messy with only a weak energy reading of 597. Don’t even bother.

The first real highlight lands on Tuesday the 8th of September. Tuesday morning is a ripper. Chinamans (South Australia) will be pulling in a solid 7 ft SW groundswell with a long period of 17 seconds and the combined energy is pumping at 2622. The wind is glass, dead calm. That’s the kind of morning where the line-up looks smooth as silk and the swell has proper power. Water temp is about average for this time of year. This is the standout window for experienced surfers—this size is not for beginners.

Tuesday afternoon the wind swings onshore and turns it to slop, so get it done early.

Wednesday the 9th sees the swell jump up to 10 ft to 12 ft from the SW, but a fresh 22 mph onshore wind rips it apart. That’s wild, blown-out surf. Only for the truly committed or the tow-in crew.

Thursday and Friday the 10th and 11th are average. Swell drops to around 6 ft to 8 ft, but the wind is cross-onshore, keeping the surface bumpy. Combined energy is still moderate to strong (3777 down to 1368), but the quality isn’t there for a standout.

The weekend of the 12th and 13th cleans right up. Saturday has light offshore winds out of the NNE, dropping the swell to 5 ft but the wave shape will be clean. Sunday the 13th afternoon gets proper light offshore winds from the north, with a 4 ft, 16-second period SW swell and a combined energy of 643—the comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s a fun, clean session for a longboard or a mid-length.

We hit a nasty patch from Monday the 14th through Tuesday the 15th morning with strong winds and messy cross-chop. Not worth it.

The next real standout shows up on Tuesday the 15th afternoon and Wednesday the 16th morning. Wednesday morning especially: glassy conditions with a 7 ft SW swell, period 14 seconds, combined energy 1550. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers again. That’s a morning to call in sick.

Thursday the 17th has clean offshore winds from the NNW all day, with the afternoon especially looking clean and fun on a 4 ft, 16-second SW groundswell. Good for a mellow session.

The final big hope is on Tuesday the 22nd of September. Tuesday morning is all glass, no wind, with a solid 7 ft SW swell and a long 17-second period. The combined energy is strong at 2726 and it’s flagged as excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a long-range standout—promising but not locked in yet. Keep an eye on it.

Overall, we have some gaps, but the pattern is consistent with pulses of groundswell. Crowds are a possibility at Chinamans as it’s a known spot, especially on those clean mornings. If you can hit Tuesday the 8th morning or Wednesday the 16th morning, that’s where the magic is.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun night, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the S by Tue night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
1
4
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
3
2
2
3
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.3
SW
14
1.6
SW
19
2.1
SW
17
2.1
SW
16
2.4
SW
16
3
SW
19
3.5
SW
18
3
SW
17
2.5
SW
16
2.4
SW
16
1.9
SW
15
1.8
SW
15
1.8
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.3
SW
15
0.9
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1014
480
579
1691
2622
2326
2905
6632
6545
5063
3761
2868
1585
1343
1513
1367
1028
788
505
Wind (km/h)
25
S
10
SSE
15
ESE
20
ESE
5
SSE
25
SW
40
S
35
SSE
35
SSE
25
SE
15
SE
10
ESE
25
ESE
10
ENE
15
ESE
15
ENE
20
NNE
15
NNE
15
N
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:29AM0.78m
12:33PM0.85m
2:08AM0.36m
1:12PM0.89m
1:56AM0.47m
1:43PM0.90m
2:08AM0.60m
2:11PM0.87m
2:29AM0.72m
2:36PM0.82m
2:51AM0.82m
Low Tide
9:54PM0.06m
9:04PM0.10m
8:31PM0.11m
6:00AM0.26m
8:23PM0.10m
7:02AM0.17m
8:25PM0.08m
7:47AM0.09m
8:34PM0.06m
8:25AM0.05m
8:44PM0.04m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:30
6:28
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:09
 mm
Temp °C
14
13
13
11
11
13
12
12
13
10
12
13
11
14
15
17
18
20
21
Feels °C
10
11
10
7
10
8
6
5
5
5
9
10
5
12
13
14
13
15
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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