Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 25 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★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s 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 26) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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+) | 9AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| 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, let’s break it down. We’ve only got one spot to look at for the next 16 days: Rhino Head. It’s a sheltered reef that’s fairly consistent, so we’re not completely skunked, but we’ve got a real mixed bag of wind and swell. The first real standout is a bit of a wait, but when it comes, it’ll be special.
Wednesday the 26th kicks off with a clean 4ft SW swell, 13-second period, and light offshore WNW wind. The combined energy is moderate at 475 – a solid start. The water temp is about average for this time of year. It’s a good one for the morning, but the afternoon gets a bit skinnier with a 3ft swell and a stronger offshore breeze – still clean, but less power.
Thursday the 27th morning is a write-off with messy cross-off wind, but the afternoon is a real sleeper: 3ft of SW swell, but with a very long 19-second period. That’s groundswell, and it’s pumping energy into the reef – 1074 combined energy. The wind is cross-off and gentle, so it’ll be clean. For a small wave, that’s a sweet little session.
Friday the 28th morning gets a bit of a bump in size to 5ft, but the wind is cross-on, so it’s a bit lumpy. The afternoon though – glassy conditions, 5ft SW swell, 16-second period, and 1115 energy. That’s a real treat. The reef will be working, and it’ll be clean as a whistle. This is one of the best windows in the whole run.
Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are a total dud – onshore winds, small swell, poor conditions. A full two days of nothing worth paddling for.
Monday the 31st sees a bigger 5ft SSW swell roll in, 18-second period, and 1472 energy – strong wave energy. The wind is cross, then cross-off in the afternoon. It’s a bit chunky, but the afternoon session with 5ft and clean cross-off wind is worth a look. Not a standout, but solid.
Tuesday the 1st of September is a write-off with a 25 mph cross-off wind – that’s just a mess. Wednesday the 2nd is small and clean but not exciting. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th build slowly.
Friday the 4th of September – now we’re talking. Morning has 6ft SSW swell, 15-second period, and 1238 energy, with a gentle offshore NW wind. The afternoon is the same, 6ft, clean offshore. This is a proper groundswell, and the reef will handle it beautifully. The period is long enough to give you real push, but not too long to be awkward. The combined energy is strong at 1190-1238. This is the absolute best on offer – a standout.
Saturday the 5th of September backs it up with 5ft SSW swell, 15-second period, and 1132 energy, with a moderate offshore WNW wind. Still clean, still powerful. The morning is the pick.
Sunday the 6th starts to fall apart with a strong cross-shore wind, and Monday the 7th is just windy and unsurfable. That’s a few days of poor conditions.
Tuesday the 8th of September afternoon flips again – 5ft SSW swell, 16-second period, 1338 energy, and a clean offshore W wind. That’s another good one. Wednesday the 9th of September morning is the big one: 6ft SSW swell, 17-second period, and 1892 energy – very strong wave energy. The wind is offshore and moderate. This is a beast of a groundswell, and Rhino Head will be firing. The long period means longer lulls, but when the sets come, they’ll be thick and lined up. This is the other standout of the whole run.
Thursday the 10th of September morning is still solid with 4ft and clean cross-off wind, but a step down from the previous day.
So, if you’re looking for the two best days, lock in Friday the 4th of September and Wednesday the 9th of September. Both have solid size, clean offshore wind, and strong energy. The rest of the period has some good sessions, but those two are the ones to circle. The long gaps around the 29th-30th and the 6th-7th are frustrating, but that’s the way it goes.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon night, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | 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 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
444 | 331 | 114 | 308 | 546 | 1925 | 1580 | 1115 | 623 | 469 | 309 | 199 | 253 | 398 | 900 | 1338 | 1159 | 853 | 573 | 468 | 523 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 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 | ||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | 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 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 |
444 | 331 | 114 | 308 | 528 | 1925 | 1580 | 1115 | 623 | 469 | 309 | 199 | 149 | 209 | 900 | 1338 | 1159 | 853 | 573 | 468 | 523 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 21 | SW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 23 | SW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 21 | SSW 20 | SW 18 | — | — | WSW 6 | WSW 5 |
31 | 41 | 86 | 116 | 546 | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | 116 | 253 | 398 | 117 | 127 | 154 | — | — | 3 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 24 | — | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 22 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | SE 2 | SE 3 | SE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | SE 3 | ENE 3 | NNE 3 | N 2 | NNW 4 | WNW 4 | SW 5 |
— | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 21 | 26 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 154 | 7 | 5 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











