Surf Forecasts:
Chinamans surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with 6,256 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 18s 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 28) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 18s 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chinamans over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on what’s shaking for Chinamans. We got a solid run of surf ahead, but there’s some days you’ll want to sit out and some you’ll be frothing on.
The first worthwhile session is Thursday afternoon, 27 August. Water temp is sitting at 15.1°, about average for the season. You’ll find a clean 1.5m (that’s about 5 ft) swell from the SW, period of 14 seconds – that’s a real groundswell – and the combined swell energy is pumping at 1771 (moderate‑to‑strong). Wind is a NNW offshore at 15 km/h (about 9 mph), keeping it glassy. This is a reef break, so that long period stands it up nicely. Only for the advanced crew, but if you’re experienced, it’s a ripper.
Friday morning, 28 August, the swell goes to 2.2m (7.2 ft) still SW with a 16‑second period – even longer – combined energy 2537 (strong). Wind is ENE at 10 km/h (6 mph), a light cross‑shore, so not as clean as Thursday. Still surfable for those in the know. Friday afternoon drops to 2.1m (6.9 ft) but wind turns cross‑onshore, bumping it up.
Saturday, 29 August and Sunday, 30 August see the swell shrinking – 1.4m (4.6 ft) down to 0.8m (2.6 ft) – with cross‑onshore winds from the east. The period does hit a massive 20 seconds on Sunday morning, but combined energy drops to 841 (weak). Not worth the paddle.
Now, the good stuff returns. Monday morning, 31 August: 1.8m (5.9 ft) from the SW, period 15 seconds, combined energy 2530 (strong). Wind is NE at 15 km/h (9 mph), a light cross‑offshore – clean. Monday afternoon gets even better: 2.2m (7.2 ft), 18‑second groundswell, combined energy 2912 (strong), and a N cross‑offshore breeze. That’s a standout – the reef will be firing with long, powerful lines. Crowds are possible here, as it’s the best session of the stretch so far.
Tuesday, 1 September gets a fresh NNW offshore at 35 km/h (22 mph) in the morning – clean but strong – pushing a 1.6m (5.2 ft), 16‑second swell (combined energy 1164). Surfable for the seasoned crew, but the wind’s a handful. Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday, 2 September, stay clean with moderate winds and swell around 1.5m to 1.8m (5–6 ft).
Thursday, 3 September has a 2.3m (7.5 ft) morning swell from the SW at 15 seconds (combined energy 2148) with a 30 km/h (19 mph) cross‑offshore – clean but full‑on. The wind picks up to 35 km/h (22 mph) in the afternoon, making it gnarly.
Friday, 4 September is the absolute highlight. Friday morning: 2.4m (7.9 ft) from the SW, 14‑second period, combined energy 2317 (strong), and a light NW breeze at 10 km/h (6 mph) – glassy and clean. Friday afternoon: the swell jumps to 3.0m (9.8 ft) from the WSW (combined energy a massive 5389 – very strong). That afternoon is only for experts, as anything over 2.5m (8.2 ft) is serious. The wind stays light offshore. This is the best on offer – big, clean, powerful.
Saturday, 5 September remains solid at 2.5m (8.2 ft) morning and 3.0m (9.8 ft) afternoon, but the wind swings to cross‑shore from the east, adding chop. The morning is cleaner, but it’s still big.
From Sunday, 6 September onward, it gets messy. Sunday morning has 2.2m (7.2 ft) but a fresh 35 km/h (22 mph) cross‑offshore and light
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Mon morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
3122 | 2537 | 2087 | 1108 | 802 | 553 | 411 | 455 | 1655 | 1818 | 3199 | 2912 | 1953 | 1265 | 745 | 1822 | 1613 | 1941 | 924 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:32AM0.53m | 2:25PM0.93m | 2:45AM0.61m | 2:45PM0.90m | 3:02AM0.70m | 3:05PM0.85m | 3:22AM0.78m | 3:23PM0.77m | 3:46AM0.86m | 3:39PM0.69m | 4:12AM0.91m | 3:51PM0.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:48AM0.16m | 9:04PM0.10m | 8:19AM0.12m | 9:11PM0.08m | 8:51AM0.09m | 9:19PM0.07m | 9:24AM0.09m | 9:27PM0.05m | 9:57AM0.12m | 9:37PM0.04m | 10:33AM0.18m | 9:47PM0.02m | |||||||
— | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 |
3122 | 2537 | 2087 | 1108 | 802 | 553 | 411 | 392 | 1655 | 1818 | 3199 | 2912 | 1953 | 1265 | 745 | 537 | 1613 | 730 | 924 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 23 | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 21 | SSW 19 | — | — | ENE 4 | SW 14 | W 8 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 21 | 82 | 220 | 455 | 315 | 365 | 480 | — | — | 1 | 387 | 251 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 275 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | SW 16 | WSW 5 | SW 15 | WSW 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 45 | 48 | 1822 | 20 | 1941 | 83 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 1189 | 1095 | 160 | 74 | 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.











