Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 19s period, SSW swell with 3,001 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s 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 (Sep 13) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rhino Head in the next 16 days are 2.1m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) 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 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on tap for the coming weeks at Rhino Head.
It’s a bit of a slow burner for the first week and a half, so don’t get too excited just yet. The first real chance of a session doesn’t show up until Sunday the 13th of September. The early part of the window is a no-go: strong onshore winds, lumpy water, and a bunch of raw energy that’s just not doing us any favours.
Sunday the 13th, the afternoon is where it starts to turn. We’ve got a 3ft swell from the SW, but the real story is the wind swinging offshore from the WNW. That’s clean, that’s glassy. The combined energy is moderate (489), and the period is a solid 16 seconds, so there’s some proper groundswell in the water. It’s a reef break that’s fairly consistent, so it’ll be offering up some nice, lined-up waves. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The next standout is a long way off, but it looks like a proper beauty. On Wednesday the 23rd of September, we’ve got a serious swell hitting. The morning session is the pick: a 8ft SSW swell with a 17-second period. That’s a lot of water moving, and with a combined energy of 3136, it’s very strong. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the SW, keeping things clean. This is definitely for experienced surfers only – that’s a big, powerful wave. The crowd situation at Rhino Head can be an issue sometimes, so get there early if you’re keen.
To sum it up: the first week is a write-off, but the second week has two real chances. Sunday the 13th afternoon is a nice, clean, mellow option for the intermediates, and Wednesday the 23rd morning is the big one for the crew who can handle it. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Wed afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Tue night, light winds from the E by Fri afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1155 | 3001 | 2894 | 2263 | 1555 | 1273 | 740 | 674 | 870 | 915 | 811 | 693 | 382 | 458 | 489 | 318 | 203 | 281 | 175 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:08AM0.36m | 1:12PM0.89m | 1:56AM0.47m | 1:43PM0.90m | 2:08AM0.60m | 2:11PM0.87m | 2:29AM0.72m | 2:36PM0.82m | 2:51AM0.82m | 2:58PM0.75m | 3:15AM0.88m | 3:16PM0.68m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:00AM0.26m | 8:23PM0.10m | 7:02AM0.17m | 8:25PM0.08m | 7:47AM0.09m | 8:34PM0.06m | 8:25AM0.05m | 8:44PM0.04m | 9:00AM0.04m | 8:56PM0.02m | 9:32AM0.06m | 9:08PM0.02m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | 6:07 | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:10 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 1155 | 3001 | 2894 | 2263 | 1555 | 1273 | 740 | 674 | 870 | 915 | 811 | 693 | 382 | 458 | 489 | 318 | 203 | 80 | 136 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 26 | S 25 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 18 | ENE 4 | NNW 4 | — | WSW 4 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 216 | 1 | 5 | — | 7 | 31 | 175 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | — | SW 19 | — | SW 16 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 57 | — | 67 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | E 3 | E 3 | NE 3 | NNE 3 | NE 3 | NNW 3 | — | WSW 4 | — | SW 14 | SSW 5 |
| kJ | 15 | 72 | 68 | 55 | 23 | 10 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | — | 5 | — | 281 | 24 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 1195 | 1829 | 28 | 17 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 83 | 7 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 733 | 224 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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