Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
15.4° 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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,677 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m 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 1.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Mon 20th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 15s
Best Surf 3PM (Mon 20th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 15s
Most Powerful 3PM (Thu 23rd Jul)6ft (1.9m) 16s

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 lined up for us over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. The first few days are pretty grim, with a lot of poor surf conditions and no real recommendations. The swell is small and the wind is messy. But hold tight, because things are going to turn around.

The first real decent window looks like Monday the 21st of July. We’ve got a 4 ft SW groundswell coming in with a nice 13-second period, and the wind is going light offshore from the NW, which is a major positive. The water is a comfortable 60°, about average for this time of year. The combined wave energy is moderate (352) and the conditions are described as clean. It’s not huge, but it’ll be fun and clean for a paddle. Rhino Head is a reef break that’s fairly consistent, and it’s sheltered from the swell direction, so it’ll be handling that SW swell nicely. Just be aware that crowds are sometimes a thing here.

Now, the real standout for this whole forecast is Thursday the 23rd of July. That’s the day to circle on the calendar. We’re looking at a 6 ft SSW swell, but the key is a very long 16-second period, and the combined swell energy is a strong 1721. That’s some serious groundswell potential. The wind is a cross-off from the SW, keeping things clean. This is a proper event for experienced surfers – that 6 ft, long-period swell will be powerful and definitely not for beginners. It’s a reef break, so that long period will wrap in nicely.

After that, the surf drops off a bit through the end of July and into early August. The wind gets onshore or strong, and the swell quality fades. There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendations.

Looking further ahead, there’s another promising window on Sunday the 2nd of August. We’ve got a 4 ft SW swell with a 15-second period, and the wind is offshore from the WNW. The combined wave energy is moderate (818), and the conditions are clean. It’s a long way out, so it’s one to watch, but it could be a nice, clean session.

Then on Monday the 3rd of August, we’ve got a bigger 6 ft SW swell with a very long 19-second period, and a combined energy of 2150. That is a lot of power. But it’s a long-range forecast, so keep your eyes peeled. The wind is cross-off from the NNW, which could work. This one is for the experts only if it holds.

So, to sum it up: the best surf on offer is definitely Thursday the 23rd of July at Rhino Head. That long-period SSW swell with clean conditions is the highlight. The Monday the 21st is your best bet for a smaller, cleaner session. The long-range stuff on the 2nd and 3rd of August are promising but not set in stone.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 10°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
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
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
0
0
2
1
2
2
1
0
0
1
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)
0.4
SW
20
0.6
SW
18
0.9
SW
16
1
SW
15
1.1
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
1
SW
12
1.3
SW
11
1.4
SW
13
1.7
SSW
15
1.9
SSW
14
1.9
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
15
1.4
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SSW
13
1.1
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
120
252
376
427
535
787
437
346
277
445
643
1297
1468
1677
1271
869
742
681
501
451
358
Wind (km/h)
20
N
20
N
15
N
20
NNW
15
NNW
10
N
10
NNW
10
WNW
20
NW
30
SW
30
SSW
25
SW
20
S
20
SW
20
SW
20
W
30
W
30
WSW
20
WSW
20
SW
10
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
4:36PM0.90m
5:25AM0.72m
4:53PM0.77m
6:08AM0.75m
4:58PM0.66m
6:59AM0.76m
4:25PM0.58m
8:11AM0.76m
10:19AM0.78m
11:59AM0.84m
Low Tide
10:13AM0.27m
11:14PM0.19m
10:59AM0.36m
11:28PM0.20m
11:50AM0.45m
11:38PM0.21m
1:03PM0.53m
11:42PM0.22m
11:35PM0.23m
11:03PM0.24m
10:07PM0.23m
cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:32
5:34
 mm
1
1
1
1
1
Temp °C
13
14
16
14
15
15
14
14
15
13
12
12
11
11
12
12
12
14
14
14
13
Feels °C
9
9
12
10
12
12
11
11
12
7
5
6
5
5
7
6
6
9
10
10
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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