Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 24 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: Sunday 30 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 19s period, SSW swell with 1,960 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 14s 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 1.7m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
Alright, the outlook starts a bit shaky. We've got a decent-sized swell on the way, but the winds are going to mess it up early on. The real standout is a bit of a wait, but it looks worth it.
Tuesday the 25th is a write-off. There's a solid 6ft SSW groundswell at Rhino Head, with a long 16-second period and some serious energy (2453), but that strong cross-shore wind will chop it up. Not worth the paddle.
We don't see the first real, clean, surfable waves until Wednesday morning, the 26th. The swell drops a bit to 3-4ft from the SW, but the wind goes light and cross-offshore, making for clean conditions. Still just building into it.
The real highlight on offer here is Thursday afternoon, the 27th. The swell dips to 3ft from the SW, but the period stretches out to a very long 19 seconds. That's proper groundswell energy (1066) and with a gentle cross-offshore breeze, the lines will be smooth and clean. It's a beginner-friendly reef break, but with that long period, the waves will hold up nicely. Expect clean, fun waves. It's the best call in the first few days.
After that, it gets messy again until Monday the 31st. The water temp is sitting at 59°F, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there. Monday morning sees a return to clean conditions with a 5ft SSW swell and a light, cross-offshore breeze. Good energy levels (1247) and clean faces make for a solid session.
Now, if you can wait, the absolute standout is Sunday the 6th of September. This is the one to circle on the calendar. We’ve got a 7ft SW groundswell, long 17-second period, and huge energy (2475). The morning is glassy with no wind—just dead calm and clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers; it’s too big for beginners. The afternoon stays clean with a light cross-offshore wind. This is the best on offer, hands down.
A couple of days later on the 9th, we still have 7ft SW swell, but the winds are stronger and more onshore, making it a bit raw, though still surfable.
So, if you're keen, target Thursday afternoon the 27th for the fun little groundswell, but for the real power and quality, wait for that glassy Sunday the 6th of September.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue morning, calm by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1650 | 1142 | 648 | 444 | 331 | 139 | 313 | 546 | 1947 | 1580 | 1115 | 631 | 469 | 257 | 170 | 253 | 1560 | 1831 | 1245 | 945 | 592 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:22PM0.86m | 2:36AM0.40m | 1:44PM0.90m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:03PM0.14m | 6:37AM0.29m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
Feels °C | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 803 | 334 | 648 | 444 | 331 | 139 | 313 | 520 | 1947 | 1580 | 1115 | 631 | 469 | 257 | 170 | 116 | 1560 | 1831 | 1245 | 945 | 592 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 21 | SW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 23 | SW 21 | SSW 20 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 31 | 41 | 86 | 116 | 546 | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | 116 | 253 | 36 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | — | — | — | SE 2 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | SE 3 | ESE 3 | E 3 | NE 3 | NNE 2 |
| kJ | 1650 | 1142 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 9 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 604 | 44 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
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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