Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 08 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
14.6° C
0.1° 

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 8 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SW swell with 5,181 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 15s period. 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 3.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 6AM. 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 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Sun 9th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 15s
Best Surf 6AM (Fri 14th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 16s
Most Powerful 6AM (Mon 10th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for Rhino Head.

We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag on the cards for the next couple of weeks. The first few days are a write-off, so don’t even bother paddling out until Sunday afternoon. That’s when things start to get interesting. The real standout is Sunday afternoon, August 9th, with a solid 5ft SW groundswell rolling in on a very long 15-second period. The wind is light and cross-offshore, making for clean conditions. The combined energy is moderate (967), so it’s got some push but won’t be a washing machine. For a sheltered reef like Rhino Head, this is as good as it gets in this window. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Monday, August 10th, is a big one, but it’s for the brave only. Morning sees a 10ft SW swell with a crazy 17-second period and a massive 5067 combined energy. That’s a lot of power. Wind is cross-off but strong at 35 km/h, making it a real challenge. The afternoon drops to 8ft, still huge and powerful. This is expert territory.

Tuesday and Wednesday, August 11th and 12th, are messy. Swell drops off but the wind cranks up to 40–45 km/h. The waves are there, but it’s a battle. Thursday, August 13th, offers a chance with 7ft to 7ft SW swell and moderate winds, but conditions are only marginal.

After that, it’s a long flat spell. From Friday, August 14th, right through to Friday, August 21st, there’s really nothing worth getting excited about. The swell is small, the wind is mostly onshore or cross, and the scores are all low. It’s a blank run.

Then, just when you’re about to hang up the wetsuit, Saturday morning, August 22nd, shows a glimmer of hope. A 4ft SW swell, light 10 km/h north wind making it cross-offshore, and clean conditions. The combined energy is weak (439), but it’s a fun-sized wave for a beginner-friendly reef. The periods are moderate at 12 seconds, so it’ll be a bit more user-friendly.

Finally, Monday morning, August 24th, the last day of the window, looks promising with 3ft SSW swell, gentle 15 km/h offshore wind, and clean conditions. It’s a small one, but perfect for a longboard or a fun session.

So, the clear winner here is Sunday afternoon, August 9th. Second best is Saturday morning, August 22nd, and Monday morning, August 24th, for a smaller, cleaner option. The rest of the time, you’re better off waxing your board and waiting.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Tue afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, near gales from the SW by Tue afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Tue night, light winds from the S by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
0
1
2
3
0
0
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
2
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
2.5
SW
19
3
SW
17
2.3
SW
16
1.7
SW
16
1.1
SW
14
0.7
SSW
18
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
18
2.5
SW
17
2.2
SW
16
2.1
SW
15
2
SSW
15
1.9
SSW
16
1.9
SSW
17
1.9
SSW
16
1.8
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
597
636
967
4665
4432
2790
1384
476
286
3937
4261
3904
2413
1962
1809
1699
1924
1855
1671
Wind (km/h)
30
N
25
NNE
10
NNW
40
SSW
35
SW
30
WSW
25
WNW
40
NNW
40
NW
40
WSW
45
WSW
35
WSW
25
WSW
20
WSW
20
WSW
15
W
10
S
5
S
15
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
High Tide
11:06AM0.88m
12:25PM0.97m
2:55AM0.27m
1:14PM1.05m
2:11AM0.35m
1:53PM1.08m
2:26AM0.46m
2:27PM1.08m
2:49AM0.57m
2:57PM1.03m
3:17AM0.67m
Low Tide
11:05PM0.12m
10:18PM0.14m
9:24PM0.14m
4:16AM0.27m
9:11PM0.13m
6:22AM0.21m
9:14PM0.12m
7:25AM0.15m
9:24PM0.11m
8:14AM0.11m
9:36PM0.09m
rain showers
thunderstorm
mod rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:49
 mm
7
3
10
2
8
2
1
Temp °C
14
15
12
14
12
12
13
15
15
12
14
14
14
14
14
15
14
14
13
Feels °C
8
11
10
7
4
5
8
7
7
2
6
7
9
10
10
11
12
12
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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