Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
15.2°C
0.8° 

Rhino Head surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Rhino Head surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s period, SSW swell with 1,529 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s. 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 9AM. 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Sat 12th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 15s
Best Surf12PM (Sat 12th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 15s
Most Powerful 9AM (Tue 15th Sep)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 get into it for the Rhino Head area. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, so let’s break it down.

Right off the bat, the first few days are a write-off. Friday and Saturday the 11th and 12th are looking pretty average. The swell is there, around 4ft from the SSW, but the wind is cross or onshore, leaving the surface choppy and messy. The combined energy is moderate (677 and 860), but the quality just isn’t there. Don’t bother paddling out.

Then we get a bit of a tease. Sunday the 13th sees the wind swing offshore from the WNW, blowing at 15 mph. The swell drops a touch to 3ft, but it’s clean. Combined energy has dropped to 458, but it’s surfable. Monday the 14th holds similar conditions, still clean with a 3ft to 4ft SSW swell. The energy is still moderate (495 to 623). It’s not pumping, but it’s a session.

The middle of the week, Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th, brings a bigger pulse of swell, hitting 6ft from the SSW. The combined energy kicks up to strong territory (1575 and 1376). However, the wind is back onshore and cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. For the experienced crew, there might be some power in the water, but the conditions will be a fight. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We hit a lull from Thursday the 17th through to Sunday the 20th. Swell sizes drop below 3ft, and while the wind is mostly clean, the energy is weak (down to 201). It’s a real flat spell, not worth getting excited about.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The standout period is shaping up for Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd. On Monday, we see a 4ft to 4ft SSW swell with clean conditions and light winds. The energy is back up to moderate (616 to 653). Tuesday morning is the real gem: a 5ft SSW groundswell with a period of 15 seconds, and light offshore winds from the NW at 6 mph. The combined energy is strong (827) and the conditions will be glassy. This is a long-period groundswell, so it will be breaking a bit straighter at the beach, but Rhino Head is a reef setup, so it should handle it well. This is the best on offer for the whole forecast.

The tail end of the outlook, from Wednesday the 23rd onwards, goes downhill again. The swell pulses up to 7ft on the 23rd, but the wind is strong and onshore from the SE, making a mess of it. The energy is very strong (2728) but it’s a choppy, blown-out mess. The rest of the week is a mix of small, onshore, and choppy conditions.

So, to sum it up: forget the first week. The real window to get wet is Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd of September, with Tuesday morning being the absolute pick. Clean, offshore, and a decent swell. After that, it’s a lottery.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Sat night, min 13°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
16
1.2
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.7
SW
15
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
13
1.9
SSW
15
1.9
SSW
14
1.7
SW
14
1.7
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
15
1.4
SSW
15
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
674
859
926
832
693
377
458
367
226
499
410
325
1529
1468
1220
1174
1190
840
463
347
294
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
15
E
15
ENE
15
NNE
15
NNE
25
NNE
25
NNW
25
W
20
WSW
20
WSW
20
W
25
S
20
SSE
20
SSE
25
SE
20
E
20
E
20
E
15
NE
10
N
20
NNE
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
High Tide
2:11PM0.87m
2:29AM0.72m
2:36PM0.82m
2:51AM0.82m
2:58PM0.75m
3:15AM0.88m
3:16PM0.68m
3:39AM0.92m
3:32PM0.60m
4:02AM0.91m
3:40PM0.53m
4:25AM0.88m
3:39PM0.48m
Low Tide
8:34PM0.06m
8:25AM0.05m
8:44PM0.04m
9:00AM0.04m
8:56PM0.02m
9:32AM0.06m
9:08PM0.02m
10:02AM0.10m
9:19PM0.02m
10:31AM0.16m
9:29PM0.03m
10:57AM0.25m
9:36PM0.04m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:22
6:20
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:08
6:09
6:10
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
 mm
2
Temp °C
15
16
17
19
20
21
17
14
13
14
16
14
13
14
11
9
10
10
15
16
18
Feels °C
11
13
14
14
16
16
12
10
9
11
12
10
8
8
5
4
5
5
11
13
13
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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