Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,571 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 19s. 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 1.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. Your first real look comes on Tuesday, August 18th, but it’s a bit of a tease. We’ve got a small, clean 3ft SSW swell at Rhino Head, with a cross-off north wind, but the energy is weak (563) and the water is about 59°, which is average for the season. Don’t waste your time.
Wednesday the 19th shows a little more promise. The morning is clean with a 2ft SW swell, 15-second period, and offshore wind from the west-northwest. The energy is still low (439). The afternoon jumps to 5ft, but the period drops to 8 seconds, making it a bit windswelly. Rideable, but not special.
Thursday the 20th is the early standout. The morning brings a solid 5ft SW groundswell, 16-second period, and offshore wind from the northwest. The energy is a moderate 1126. This is a reef break, and that long period will make for some clean, lined-up waves. Water temp is still around 59°. This is a good session for the crew who can handle a bit of power.
Friday the 21st is mixed. The swell holds at 5ft to 5ft SW, with a long period, but the wind is cross-off. The energy is building (1276 to 1705), so there’s power, but the wind might mess with the surface a little.
Saturday the 22nd is the pick of the first week. The morning is clean with a 6ft SW swell, 15-second period, and light cross-off southwest wind. The energy is strong at 1381. The afternoon is similar, 5ft and glassy. This is the day to get wet. The swell direction is spot on, and the wind is light. Crowds are possible, but it’s a reef, so it can handle a few.
Sunday the 23rd is also solid: 5ft SW, 17-second period, light winds. The energy is high (1363). Consistent and clean.
The second week starts small. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th drop to 3ft, with light winds. Tuesday the 25th afternoon goes glassy—perfect for a longboard or a funboard.
Then things get heavy. Thursday the 27th brings a massive 10ft SW groundswell, 17-second period, with a fresh cross-off wind. The combined energy is a huge 5274. This is a big, powerful, groundswell. Experts only, and even then, it’s going to be a battle. The wind is strong, so it’s not perfectly clean, but the size is there.
Friday the 28th is still big (7ft), but the wind goes cross-onshore, making it messy. The weekend is small and choppy.
The real gem is at the very end. On Wednesday, September 2nd, the afternoon goes glassy with a 4ft SSW groundswell, 17-second period, and an energy of 1009. Perfect conditions. It’s a long way out, so it’s not a sure thing, but if it locks in, this is the best session of the whole run. The reef at Rhino Head will love that long period swell.
Overall, Saturday the 22nd is your best early bet, and Wednesday, September 2nd is the long-range one to watch. The rest is a mix of small windows and some big, gnarly days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 458 | 255 | 236 | 291 | 711 | 964 | 886 | 1055 | 821 | 1560 | 1449 | 1359 | 1140 | 763 | 1193 | 906 | 489 | 297 | 284 | 249 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:16PM0.66m | 5:12AM0.83m | 4:16PM0.57m | 5:43AM0.79m | 3:52PM0.52m | 6:19AM0.74m | 1:59PM0.52m | 7:29AM0.68m | 12:20PM0.72m | 12:56PM0.79m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:25PM0.09m | 11:23AM0.34m | 10:31PM0.11m | 12:00PM0.43m | 10:32PM0.12m | 1:14PM0.52m | 10:26PM0.13m | 10:07PM0.15m | 9:39PM0.15m | 9:15PM0.15m | ||||||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — |
mm | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 458 | 255 | 236 | 255 | 711 | 964 | 886 | 1055 | 821 | 1560 | 1449 | 1359 | 1140 | 763 | 1193 | 906 | 489 | 297 | 284 | 249 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | NE 4 | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 17 | — | SW 24 | SSW 21 | SW 19 | SSW 17 | — | — | SSW 21 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 105 | 4 | — | 64 | 263 | 162 | — | 136 | 455 | 145 | — | 22 | 178 | 372 | 170 | — | — | 43 | 96 | 154 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | — | SSW 20 | SW 18 | — | — | SW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | 41 | 54 | — | — | 96 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | NW 4 | W 7 | WSW 8 | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | W 4 | WSW 4 |
| kJ | 9 | 15 | 203 | 291 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 10 | 18 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 83 | 157 | 468 | 535 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 44 | 154 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 132 | 12 |
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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