Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with 3,028 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s period with SSW 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 17s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rhino Head in the next 16 days are 2.2m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down the setup for Rhino Head over the next couple of weeks.
We’re kicking off with a flat spell. Monday the 7th has nothing going on – pure dud. The good news is that a proper pulse arrives on Tuesday the 8th. Tuesday morning is the standout: clean, glassy conditions with a solid 5ft swell from the SSW, a long 17-second period, and strong wave energy (1352). That combo is gonna produce some proper, well-shaped lines. The water is a mild 59°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th get chopped up by strong onshore winds, making it ugly. The wind stays messy into Friday and Saturday, but Saturday afternoon does clean up with a light offshore breeze and a 4ft SW swell (503 energy). It’s small, but rideable.
The second week gets a bit more interesting. The 19th of September – that’s a Saturday – brings a big pulse. Saturday morning sees a 10ft SSW swell with a 17-second period and massive energy (4536). That’s expert territory – too big for most. But Saturday afternoon drops to a still hefty 8ft, and with light, clean winds, it’ll be excellent for those with the skills.
Then, on the 21st of September (Monday), we get a sneaky good one. The swell is 6ft to 7ft, but the period jumps to 22 seconds – very long-period groundswell. The energy is through the roof (3843 to 5120). That long period means it’ll be a bit straight and closey at the beach, but this is a reef break, so it should handle it beautifully. Winds are light, so it’ll be clean. That’s the real deep-water gem to keep an eye on, though it’s a way off, so don’t hold me to it.
The standout for the whole period? Gotta be that Tuesday the 8th morning session. Glassy, clean, consistent, and not too big. The other big highlight is the long-period groundswell on the 21st, but that one’s a longer-range call.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat night, min 10°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 282 | 264 | 828 | 1352 | 1214 | 1586 | 3001 | 2894 | 2263 | 1713 | 1273 | 740 | 576 | 749 | 808 | 632 | 503 | 252 | 464 | 367 | 280 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 11:29AM0.78m | 12:33PM0.85m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:04PM0.10m | 8:31PM0.11m | 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 | |||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 282 | 264 | 828 | 1352 | 539 | 1185 | 3001 | 2894 | 2263 | 1713 | 1273 | 740 | 576 | 749 | 808 | 632 | 503 | 211 | 464 | 367 | 280 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 26 | S 25 | S 23 | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | SW 8 |
| kJ | 45 | 170 | 238 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 13 | 11 | — | — | — | — | 252 | — | — | 16 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | — | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | NE 3 | NNW 3 | NE 2 | N 4 | NW 4 | W 5 |
| kJ | 2 | 5 | 7 | — | 1214 | 1586 | 64 | 49 | 34 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 34 | 21 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 541 | 1180 | 1203 | 1570 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 83 | 157 | 0 | 0 |
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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