Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,560 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with WSW 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 20s is also forecast. 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 1.6m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's size this up.
It's a slow start, but the ocean wakes up properly starting Thursday the 20th. The water temp at Rhino Head is right around 59°F, which is normal for this time of year, nothing weird.
Thursday morning, August 20th, is your first real highlight. We've got a 4.6ft SW swell rolling in with a long 16-second period – that's proper groundswell energy. The wind will be offshore from the NW at 12 mph, keeping the surface clean. The combined energy is 1123, which is decent power. The forecast is for very good surf. Rhino Head is a reef, so this long-period energy will set up nicely, just be ready for the lulls between sets.
Friday morning, August 21st, is another cracker. Similar 4.6ft SW swell, with a 14-second period. The wind is a light cross-offshore at 6 mph, and the energy is even higher at 1276. This will be clean, punchy, and fun.
Saturday the 22nd keeps the good run going with 5.6ft SW swell and clean cross-offshore winds.
Now, Thursday, August 27th, is for the big dogs only. Both the morning and afternoon sessions are firing with excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The morning has a 6.9ft SW swell, and the afternoon ramps up to 7.9ft with a 16-second period and a massive combined energy of 3505. That's a lot of water moving. Offshore and cross-offshore winds will keep it clean. This is the standout for powerful, big-wave action.
After that, the wind turns onshore on Friday the 28th, making a mess of things. The conditions stay poor for the rest of the outlook, with only a tiny, clean 2ft swell showing up on Tuesday morning, September 1st, but it's nothing to write home about.
So, you want to be in the water on the mornings of Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st for the best all-round surf. And if you're an expert, get ready for Thursday the 27th.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Tue night, light winds from the WSW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 687 | 458 | 255 | 236 | 255 | 834 | 954 | 489 | 1164 | 821 | 1560 | 1431 | 1412 | 1118 | 869 | 606 | 906 | 496 | 297 | 276 | 444 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:16PM0.66m | 5:12AM0.83m | 4:16PM0.57m | 5:43AM0.79m | 3:52PM0.52m | 6:19AM0.74m | 1:59PM0.52m | 7:29AM0.68m | 12:20PM0.72m | 12:56PM0.79m | |||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:49AM0.25m | 10:25PM0.09m | 11:23AM0.34m | 10:31PM0.11m | 12:00PM0.43m | 10:32PM0.12m | 1:14PM0.52m | 10:26PM0.13m | 10:07PM0.15m | 9:39PM0.15m | 9:15PM0.15m | ||||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — |
mm | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 687 | 458 | 255 | 236 | 255 | 834 | 954 | 489 | 1164 | 821 | 1560 | 1431 | 1412 | 1118 | 869 | 606 | 906 | 496 | 297 | 276 | 444 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | E 4 | — | SW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 10 | SW 20 | SW 18 | — | — | SSW 24 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | — | — | SSW 21 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 106 | 105 | 1 | — | 64 | 221 | 169 | 137 | 136 | 455 | — | — | 54 | 178 | 470 | 395 | — | — | 43 | 96 | 154 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 130 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | N 4 | NNW 4 | W 6 | WSW 8 | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | W 4 | WSW 5 |
| kJ | 5 | 13 | 34 | 137 | 250 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 13 | 15 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 84 | 83 | 157 | 161 | 535 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 132 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 154 | 721 |
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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