Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s period, SSW swell with 1,571 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 15s period. 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 1.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for Rhino Head.
The 16-day window starts with a bit of a whimper. The first few days have some swell, but the winds are messy, and it’s not really coming together for a proper session. Honestly, you could probably give Monday the 20th a miss unless you’re desperate.
Things start to look a little more interesting later on, but for the most part, this isn’t a blockbuster forecast. There’s one real standout on the horizon.
The water’s sitting at about 60°, which is pretty average for the time of year, so nothing unusual there.
The Pick of the Window
Alright, the best chance we’ve got looks to be Tuesday the 28th in the afternoon. The winds are set to swing light from the SW, turning into a glassy cross-offshore breeze. That should clean things right up. We’re looking at a solid 4ft of swell out of the SSW, with a period of 16 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and it’s packing a punch with a combined energy reading of 680. That’s a good sign for some nicely shaped, powerful lines at this sheltered reef. This window is a seasonable long way out, so keep an eye on it, but if it holds, this is your session.
The Middle Ground
The weekend of the 26th and 27th has some knee-to-waist high swell from the SW, but the wind is a persistent cross-offshore breeze around 15 mph. It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about. Better than the earlier flat spell, but don’t expect perfection.
Looking Further Ahead
Into the first week of August, the swell size starts to pick up. By Saturday the 1st of August, we’re seeing 7ft of SW groundswell with a 16-second period in the afternoon (combined energy of 2623). The wind is a moderate offshore from the NNW, so the shape could be there. However, at that size, this spot is definitely one for the experienced crew only. It’s a powerful reef setup, and that’s a solid amount of water moving.
The 2nd of August (Sunday) sees similar size, but the wind looks gnarly, swinging onshore from the SSW with a strong breeze. That’s going to be a mess – probably more interesting for kites than paddle boards that day.
So to sum it up: be patient. The first week is pretty ordinary. Your best bet is that Tuesday the 28th. After that, the swell gets big, so keep your wits about you. Stay stoked.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 370 | 535 | 787 | 437 | 346 | 209 | 121 | 520 | 1095 | 1261 | 1571 | 1423 | 1014 | 869 | 672 | 427 | 486 | 449 | 330 | 278 | 195 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:53PM0.77m | 6:08AM0.75m | 4:58PM0.66m | 6:59AM0.76m | 4:25PM0.58m | 8:11AM0.76m | 10:19AM0.78m | 11:59AM0.84m | 12:49PM0.90m | ||||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:59AM0.36m | 11:28PM0.20m | 11:50AM0.45m | 11:38PM0.21m | 1:03PM0.53m | 11:42PM0.22m | 11:35PM0.23m | 11:03PM0.24m | 10:07PM0.23m | 9:39PM0.22m | |||||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — |
 | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 370 | 535 | 787 | 437 | 346 | 209 | 121 | 51 | 257 | 1229 | 417 | 1423 | 1014 | 869 | 672 | 427 | 486 | 449 | 330 | 278 | 195 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | NNE 3 | W 5 | — | — | SW 15 | SW 11 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 24 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 34 | 55 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | 85 | 10 | 34 | 74 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | SW 16 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 10 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | WNW 4 | — | — | WNW 2 | W 4 | WSW 5 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | — | WSW 14 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 3 | 26 | 520 | 1095 | 1261 | 1571 | — | 367 | 14 | 16 | 28 | 22 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 721 | 733 | 535 | 30 | 44 | 30 | 380 | 510 | 44 | 723 | 733 | 157 | 584 | 712 | 0 |
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.
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