Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about Rhino Head in feet and miles per hour. This is the only spot in the mix, a sheltered reef that’s gonna keep us guessing over the next couple of weeks. Water temp is sitting around 59°F, which is pretty average for this time of year – nothing crazy.

The first few days are a rough patch. Thursday the 13th through to Sunday the 16th is a gap you’ll want to skip. The swell is running 4ft to 6ft, but the wind is onshore or cross-on, and the wave quality is just dirty. Not worth the paddle.

Things turn around from Monday the 17th onward. The wind goes northwest, putting it offshore, and the waves drop back to 3ft to 5ft with light to moderate energy (302 to 1405). It’s rideable, but nothing to call home about. Wednesday the 19th is a good example of this – clean, offshore, but small.

Now, Thursday the 20th morning is the first real highlight. Swell hits 5ft from the SW, with a long 16-second period and a combined energy of 1405. The wind is a light cross-off, making the reef look clean. This is a solid session for a local who knows the right spots.

Saturday the 22nd is for the big dogs only. The morning has a 12ft swell from the SW with massive energy (4526), but the period is a shorter 13 seconds and the wind is cross-shore, creating some chop. Not beginner territory. The afternoon drops to 10ft and the wind cleans up – still expert-only.

Sunday the 23rd morning is your best bet of the whole forecast. You’ve got 7ft from the SW, a 15-second period, a light cross-off breeze, and 1860 energy. It’s clean, powerful, and the reef will love that period. If you only surf one day, make it this one.

Tuesday the 25th afternoon is another expert pick. Swell is 7ft from the SW, 16-second period, 2468 energy, and offshore west wind. Clean and strong. Crowds are only sometimes a problem here, so you might get a few clean ones to yourself.

And finally, Friday the 28th is a late-in-the-game stunner. The morning is glassy – zero wind – with a 4ft swell from the SSW, but a huge 19-second period and 2164 energy. The afternoon bumps to 6ft with an 18-second period and 2316 energy, still with light wind. This is the definition of a long-period groundswell. It bends into that reef perfectly. It’s far out, so keep an eye on it, but if those glassy conditions hold, it’ll be the cleanest, most powerful day of the run.

So, the first week is a dud. The real magic is Sunday the 23rd morning for the best all-round setup, and Friday the 28th for that glassy, long-period beauty. Make your plans accordingly.

- Rusty

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