Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 19s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 18s period, SW swell with 1,925 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 19s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rhino Head this week:
The surf forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rhino Head in the next 16 days are 1.8m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, crew, Rusty here. Let's talk about the home break for the next couple of weeks. It's a slow burn that starts with a bang, hits a flat spell, and then finishes with some serious muscle in the distance. Water's sitting right where it should be for late summer, at 59°F, so nothing spooky.
First up, and this is the main event: Wednesday morning the 26th. Rhino Head (Rhino-Head) is an absolute dream. We've got a clean 4ft SW groundswell, with a 13-second period, pushing in with moderate wave energy (475). But the wind is the star of the show – dead calm, glassy flat. Offshore from the NW at a whisper. This will be smooth, lined up, and perfect for everyone. It's a beginner-friendly reef, so bring the whole squad. Just know the crowds will be out on a morning this good. The afternoon stays clean too with a light offshore breeze and fun 3ft waves.
Thursday the 27th is a split day. The morning is messy with a 12 mph cross-offshore wind. But don't sleep on Thursday afternoon. A new pulse of energy rolls in: only 3ft in height, but with a very long 19-second period from the SW, giving it massive energy (1074). Those are proper, groundswell lines. With a light 6 mph breeze cleaning it up, it'll be a rippable session.
Friday the 28th brings size. The morning swell hits 6ft from the SW, with a solid 16-second period and strong energy (1580). The wind is side-shore, so a bit bumpy. Wait for Friday afternoon. The wind dies again – glass – and the swell drops to a clean 5ft. Energy is still strong (1115). That's your second standout.
Now the bad news: Saturday the 29th through Monday morning the 31st is a no-go. Strong onshore winds from the ESE chop it all up and drop the swell. A few days with the board in the bag.
The surf starts waking up again from Monday afternoon the 31st through early September. There are pulses of 5ft groundswell, but the winds are mostly cross-offshore, keeping it clean but not epic. Tuesday the 1st of September has a stiff 18 mph cross-offshore blow that'll mess the surface up.
By Sunday the 6th of September, we're back. The swell pushes 5-6ft from the SW, the energy is strong, and the wind is light and cross-offshore. Monday the 7th of September looks even better: a glassy 6ft SW swell for a great start to the week.
Now for the big finish. Thursday the 10th of September is a heavy one. We've got a powerful 10ft SW swell, with massive wave energy (3197). This is experts only at Rhino Head (Rhino-Head), and only if you know the reef. The wind is cross-offshore at 12 mph, so it'll be a clean, thumping beast.
So, to sum it up: your top picks are Wednesday morning the 26th for that perfect, glassy fun, and Thursday afternoon the 27th for the sneaky, long-period gem. The big stuff on the 10th is a serious proposition for the experienced crew only.
Catch you out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon night, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the NNW by Tue morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
331 | 114 | 308 | 546 | 1925 | 1580 | 1115 | 623 | 469 | 309 | 199 | 253 | 309 | 900 | 641 | 1263 | 853 | 666 | 616 | 616 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross |
High Tide | 2:26AM0.46m | 2:05PM0.93m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:59PM0.13m | 7:15AM0.22m | 9:00PM0.11m | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
331 | 114 | 308 | 528 | 1925 | 1580 | 1115 | 623 | 469 | 309 | 199 | 149 | 202 | 900 | 641 | 1263 | 853 | 666 | 616 | 616 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 21 | SW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 23 | SW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | — | — | NE 4 | W 5 |
41 | 86 | 116 | 546 | — | — | — | — | — | 52 | 116 | 253 | 309 | 18 | 475 | 243 | — | — | 1 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | ESE 2 | SE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | SE 3 | NE 3 | NNE 3 | N 3 | NW 4 | NW 4 | — |
— | — | 5 | 9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 28 | 23 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 1180 | 132 | 28 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Rhino Head Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Rhino Head provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Rhino Head can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rhino Head 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 (Rhino Head) 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 Rhino Head 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 Rhino Head, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Yorke Peninsula, consider staying in Kingscote which is 75 km (47 miles) away.











