Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
15.3°C
0.9° 

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


Rhino Head surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, SSW swell with 3,164 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period with SSW 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rhino Head in the next 16 days are 2.4m 17s 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 1.1m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 2nd Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 16s
Best Surf 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep)7ft (2.2m) 15s
Most Powerful 9AM (Wed 9th Sep)8ft (2.4m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let’s look at what’s in store.

We’ve got a bit of a waiting game on our hands. The first good session doesn’t show up until Wednesday morning, the 2nd of September. For the next couple of days before that, it’s pretty flat or junk, so don’t bother paddling out just yet.

Wednesday 2nd September is when it kicks off. Rhino Head (sheltered spot) will have a clean 5ft SSW swell, with a long 16-second period. The wind is offshore out of the west at 12 mph, and combined wave energy is moderate at 937. The water temp is about average for this time of year. This one feels good – clean lines, not too crowded, and perfect for a beginner-friendly reef break.

Thursday 3rd September the swell bumps up a bit to 7-7ft, still from the SW and a solid 14-second period. Winds are cross-offshore, so it stays clean, though the combined energy jumps into the moderate-strong range (1652-1736). The quality is still there, but this is starting to get a bit sizeable for a total beginner.

Friday 4th September morning continues the trend: 7ft SSW groundswell, 16-second period, cross-offshore wind out of the north at 9 mph. The energy is strong now (2123). The afternoon, however, gets blown out by a 25 mph NNW wind – that’s a definite no-go.

Saturday 5th September has some grunt: 8ft SW swell with 14-15 seconds, but the wind is cross-offshore and fresh to moderate. The combined energy is very strong (3327-3458). This is getting into expert-only territory. If you’re a strong paddler, there could be some big, clean walls, but it’s not for the faint of heart.

Sunday 6th September morning is crossed-up and average. The real standout on this day is the Sunday afternoon session: glassy conditions with a light 4ft SW swell (14-second period) and the wind goes glassy out of the north at 3 mph. Combined energy is moderate (661). That’s a rare, clean window – perfect for a longboard or a fun shortboard session.

After that, from Monday 7th through to Tuesday 15th September, it’s a long stretch of poor to marginal conditions. Strong onshore winds, big lumpy swell, and cross-onshore chop make it mostly unsurfable for paddle surfing. There’s an 8ft+ swell with strong winds on the 8th and 9th that might appeal to kitesurfers, but for us, it’s a write-off.

The very end of the run, Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th September, shows some promise. On the 16th morning, it’s glassy again with a clean 4ft SSW swell and long 16-second period. Then Thursday 17th September morning looks like the best of the whole forecast: glassy winds, 6ft SSW swell with a very long 18-second period, and combined energy is strong (1856). That’s a groundswell with serious power and shape – expect clean, lined-up sets at Rhino Head. This is a standout, but it’s almost two weeks out, so keep an eye on it – forecasts can change.

So, to sum it up: the first week has a few clean windows (Wednesday 2nd, Thursday 3rd, Sunday afternoon 6th), then a long gap of junk, and a potential gem on Thursday 17th September if it holds.

Rusty signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, near gales from the W by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat morning, calm by Sun afternoon).

Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
3
3
2
1
1
1
2
3
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SSW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.5
SSW
14
2.1
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
2.2
SW
15
2.1
SSW
16
1.9
SSW
16
1.5
SSW
15
3
SW
12
2.5
SW
13
2.1
SW
14
1.7
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.5
SW
21
1.3
SSW
19
1.5
SSW
17
1.4
SW
16
1.4
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
933
1124
934
1657
1736
2092
2151
1699
1056
2375
2288
1735
1036
810
392
172
218
1203
1352
1070
945
Wind (km/h)
20
W
30
W
35
WNW
25
SW
20
WSW
10
NNE
20
NE
35
NNW
45
WNW
40
WSW
30
WSW
15
W
10
NNE
5
ENE
25
SSE
25
E
25
E
20
E
15
ESE
25
SE
35
SE
Wind State
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
glassy
cross-on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
High Tide
3:51PM0.59m
4:43AM0.92m
3:53PM0.51m
5:20AM0.90m
3:32PM0.45m
6:08AM0.84m
7:40AM0.76m
11:29AM0.78m
12:33PM0.85m
2:08AM0.36m
Low Tide
10:33AM0.18m
9:47PM0.02m
11:12AM0.26m
9:58PM0.00m
12:03PM0.37m
10:08PM0.00m
10:11PM0.02m
9:54PM0.06m
9:04PM0.10m
8:31PM0.11m
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:02
6:02
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:06
6:07
 mm
1
3
Temp °C
14
14
15
14
13
13
15
17
16
13
14
14
14
14
13
14
14
14
16
16
13
Feels °C
8
8
9
9
8
11
9
11
11
3
9
11
12
13
9
9
9
10
13
11
6
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  • 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 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.

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