Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 19s period, SW swell with 2,639 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 3AM (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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 18s. 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 19s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a run of surf coming up at Rhino Head, a sheltered reef break that’s beginner-friendly and fairly consistent. The water temp is about average for this time of year. The first decent window kicks off Sunday, August 23rd, with a solid 5 ft to 5 ft SW groundswell that’s got a long period to it. Sunday afternoon looks like the real gem early on—glassy conditions, just a whisper of a breeze from the north at 3 mph, and combined wave energy is strong at 1018. That’s clean, lined-up surf for a Sunday session.
Monday the 24th drops off quick with small, choppy leftovers under 3 ft, so not worth the paddle. Tuesday the 25th sees a bump back up to 6 ft from the SSW, but a stiff 16 mph cross-shore wind makes it a bumpy, messy affair—better left alone unless you’re on a kite.
Now, Wednesday the 26th morning is where it gets interesting again. A clean 4 ft swell from the SW with a gentle offshore from the NW at 9 mph. It’s small but glassy, and the energy is moderate (468). Not a standout, but a nice little window for the beginners.
Thursday the 27th afternoon is the real standout of the first week. You’ve got 5 ft of SW groundswell pumping in with a 20-second period—that’s proper long-period energy. Winds are light from the NNW at 6 mph, nearly glassy, and the combined energy jumps to 1813. That’s strong, clean, and lined up. For a reef like Rhino Head, that long period means the waves will wrap in nicely with good shape and long gaps between sets. Paddling out will be manageable. This is the session to aim for.
Friday the 28th stays in the 5 ft to 6 ft range, but the winds start turning onshore or cross, messing with the surface. Still some size, but not the same quality.
Saturday the 29th fades into small, weak surf below 4 ft. Skip it.
Sunday the 30th sees a slight uptick in period but small waves and onshore winds—not your day.
Now, Monday the 31st morning comes back strong. Another 6 ft SSW groundswell with a 17-second period, light northerly wind, clean conditions, and strong energy at 1607. That’s another top-notch window, almost as good as the Thursday before.
Tuesday September 1st has a clean 4 ft afternoon with a light offshore from the WNW at 9 mph. Not big, but clean and fun.
Wednesday September 2nd morning: offshore wind again, 4 ft SW swell, moderate energy (642). Decent but small.
Then we’ve got a bit of a lull until Thursday September 3rd afternoon, where a 7 ft SW swell rolls in, but with 19 mph winds, it’s blown out. Not recommended unless you’re after a washing machine.
But hold on—Friday September 4th morning is the biggest highlight of the whole outlook. 7 ft of SSW groundswell, 16-second period, light breeze from the WSW at 6 mph, and combined energy at 2007. That’s a serious, clean swell for experienced surfers. The offshore wind will keep it groomed. If you’re an expert, that’s your morning. The afternoon holds at 6 ft with clean offshore wind too. This is the standout of the entire 16 days.
After that, the swell drops back again over the weekend into small, weak, or windy conditions. Then on Monday September 7th morning, there’s a big 8 ft WSW swell with a moderate offshore from the NW at 16 mph. That’s a big, powerful wave—definitely for experts only, with strong energy at 3422. It’s at the very end of the forecast, so keep an eye on it, but it’s promising.
Overall, the best windows are Thursday afternoon August 27th, Monday morning August 31st, and Friday September 4th is the absolute pick of the bunch. Crowds are possible at Rhino Head—it can get busy—so get in early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1045 | 1433 | 1018 | 496 | 297 | 194 | 219 | 1498 | 1045 | 589 | 437 | 369 | 139 | 368 | 1379 | 2402 | 1713 | 1317 | 695 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | on | on |
High Tide | 12:20PM0.72m | 12:56PM0.79m | 3:38AM0.37m | 1:22PM0.86m | 2:36AM0.40m | 1:44PM0.90m | 2:26AM0.46m | 2:05PM0.93m | 2:32AM0.53m | 2:25PM0.93m | 2:45AM0.61m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:07PM0.15m | 9:39PM0.15m | 9:15PM0.15m | 5:30AM0.36m | 9:03PM0.14m | 6:37AM0.29m | 8:59PM0.13m | 7:15AM0.22m | 9:00PM0.11m | 7:48AM0.16m | 9:04PM0.10m | ||||||||
— | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 3 | 10 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
1045 | 1433 | 1018 | 496 | 297 | 194 | 219 | 803 | 339 | 589 | 437 | 369 | 139 | 308 | 1379 | 2402 | 1713 | 1317 | 695 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | — | NE 3 | — | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | — | — | SW 6 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 21 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — |
380 | — | 1 | — | 15 | 57 | 152 | — | — | 41 | 31 | 41 | 86 | 368 | 434 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 2 | — | — | ENE 2 | ENE 3 | — | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 5 | — | — | — | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 1 | — | — | 1 | 8 | — | 1498 | 1045 | 18 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 154 | 30 | 723 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 9 |
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.











