Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
15.3°C
0.9° 

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 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 19s period, SSW swell with 3,127 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m 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 2.1m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Thu 3rd Sep)7ft (2.1m) 15s
Best Surf 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep)7ft (2.2m) 15s
Most Powerful 6PM (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 get into it.

Alright, the next 16 days are a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s some real fire in the second half of this run if you can wait. The headline is a solid, long-period swell from the SSW lining up for the second week of September, and with the right wind, it’s going to be a game-changer.

The first real swell of note arrives on Wednesday afternoon, the 2nd of September. It's a 5.2ft SW swell with a 15 second period, giving it some real push. The combined energy is a solid 1124 (moderate). The problem? It’s howling from the W at 15.5 mph, cross-off, but it’s a strong breeze. The water is sitting at 59.5°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing crazy there. It’s doable, but it’s not the best of the window.

Thursday the 3rd has a bit more size, 6.6ft SW, but the wind is cross-off from the SW at 12.4 mph. It’s clean, but the scores are a bit meh. The energy jumps up to 1863 Thursday morning and even 2445 Thursday afternoon, so there’s power, but the conditions are just a little off the mark.

Friday the 4th morning is where it starts to get interesting. The swell is 6.9ft from the SSW with a 16 second period, and the combined energy is a hefty 2151 (strong). The wind is a gentle breeze from the NNE at 12.4 mph, cross-off, and it’s clean. This is a real standout for the first week. It’s a bit much for a beginner at 6.9ft, but for an experienced surfer, this is a proper groundswell at Rhino Head. The long period (16 seconds) means it’s going to reel off nicely down the reef, but be aware that long period swells can sometimes make a beach break too straight. For a reef like this, it’s a dream.

The rest of the first week and into the second week is a write-off. Saturday the 5th is blown out with 24.9 mph winds, and Sunday the 6th is small and cross-shore. Then from Monday the 7th through to Friday the 11th, it’s a total desert. Small, onshore, rubbish. Don’t even bother. That’s a solid five-day gap in the action.

We start to see a pulse return on the 12th of September with a 3.6ft SW swell and a moderate offshore from the NW. It’s a small one, but it’s clean. Then the real event kicks off on Monday the 14th of September. This is the one you’ve been waiting for. The swell bumps up to 7.2ft from the SSW, with a 17-second period. The combined wave energy is a massive 2795 (strong to very strong). The wind is glassy, 3.1 mph from the NW in the morning. That is a perfect setup. The power is immense, and the conditions are immaculate. This is for experienced surfers only with that size, but it will be a session to remember. The afternoon on the 14th is still solid at 6.6ft and clean with a light cross-off, so you’ve got a full day of it.

The 15th of September Tuesday morning is still fun at 4.6ft with glassy conditions, but the energy is dropping. The 16th of September has a moderate offshore from the WNW at 15.5 mph, keeping it clean for a small 4.6ft SW swell. The 17th of September Thursday afternoon has a little 3.9ft SSW swell and a light cross-off wind, clean and rideable. But the peak of the window is undeniably Monday the 14th. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. The crowd at Rhino Head can be present sometimes, so get there early.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, near gales from the W by Fri night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun morning).

Wed
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
3
3
4
1
0
1
2
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
15
1.5
SSW
14
2
SW
14
2
SW
14
2.2
SW
15
2.1
SSW
16
1.9
SSW
16
1.5
SSW
15
2.5
SW
13
2.4
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.6
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
0.8
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
1.4
SW
19
1.6
SW
17
1.4
SW
16
1.3
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1124
934
1536
1604
2148
2151
1699
1056
2254
2220
1640
961
810
398
205
253
1457
1433
1070
832
Wind (km/h)
25
W
30
WNW
20
SW
20
WSW
10
NNE
15
NNE
25
N
50
WNW
40
WSW
30
WSW
10
WSW
10
NE
5
SSE
20
SSE
20
ESE
20
SE
25
ESE
15
ESE
5
SE
25
SE
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
glassy
on
High Tide
3:51PM0.59m
4:43AM0.92m
3:53PM0.51m
5:20AM0.90m
3:32PM0.45m
6:08AM0.84m
7:40AM0.76m
11:29AM0.78m
12:33PM0.85m
2:08AM0.36m
Low Tide
9:47PM0.02m
11:12AM0.26m
9:58PM0.00m
12:03PM0.37m
10:08PM0.00m
10:11PM0.02m
9:54PM0.06m
9:04PM0.10m
8:31PM0.11m
cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
light rain
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:37
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:02
6:02
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:06
6:07
 mm
1
1
1
1
1
1
Temp °C
14
15
14
13
13
14
17
16
13
13
13
13
13
12
13
13
12
13
14
12
Feels °C
8
9
10
8
11
8
13
10
5
8
9
12
11
8
9
9
7
10
12
7
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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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