Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s cooking at Rhino Head.

The next couple of days are a bit of a tease – we get some solid swell but the wind is just not playing ball. The water temp is sitting at about 60°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Kicking off Thursday the 9th, we’ve got some clean, glassy lines rolling in from the SSW at 3ft with a stupid-long 18 second period. It’s a groundswell with decent energy (783) and a light cross-off wind. This is a genuine standout for the early period – clean, manageable, and a proper long-period push. It’s a reef, exposed but sheltered from this swell direction, so it’ll be holding shape nicely. Just a heads-up, crowds are sometimes a thing here.

Friday the 10th is a bit more messed up. The swell bumps up a touch to 4ft but the wind picks up to a moderate breeze from the NNW and there’s rain showers around. It’s surfable but not special, and the energy drops off through the afternoon.

Saturday the 11th gets ugly. Swell jumps to 7ft in the morning and 10ft by the afternoon, but it’s all short-period windswell (8-10 seconds) with a strong breeze turning the ocean into a mess. That 10ft afternoon has a ton of energy (1552) but the wind is pushing it sideways. Even with offshore wind in the morning, the period is too short and the power is all over the place. This is expert-only if anything, and honestly, with those conditions, a kite surfer might be having more fun than a paddle surfer.

Sunday the 12th looks a little more promising but still challenging. Morning sees a clean 7ft SW groundswell with a 13-second period and a fresh offshore wind. The energy is solid (1708). It’s clean but that 7ft is pushing into the zone where it’s not for beginners. The afternoon holds similar but with a bit less size.

Monday the 13th is a big energy day – 7ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period in the morning, energy hitting 3432. The wind is strong offshore, so it’s clean, but that paddle out is going to be a beast. This is proper expert territory; the power is huge, long-period, and the wind is strong enough to make paddling out a battle.

Tuesday the 14th keeps the big numbers rolling. A 8ft SSW groundswell with a 17-second period and moderate cross-off wind. Energy is massive (3868). It’s a heavy, powerful day. The crowd might be thin given the size, but if you can handle it, the wave quality should be there. The afternoon goes a bit cross-shore, so morning is the pick.

Wednesday the 15th is my hidden gem for the long range. The swell drops back to 5-5ft from the SSW with a 15-second period. The morning has a light cross breeze, but the afternoon is absolutely glassy – no wind, zero chop. Energy is moderate (898-1076). This is a beautiful, clean window for a reef break that likes a SW swell. If you can sneak a session Wednesday afternoon, do it.

After that, from Thursday the 16th well into the following week, the size drops off and the wind turns onshore or too strong. You get some small, clean waves on the 16th afternoon – glassy 3ft – but it’s weak (321 energy) and not worth a dedicated trip. There are some days later like Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd with decent 3-5ft SW swell and offshore winds, but the energy is low and the consistency is average. The period is good (12-17 seconds) but it just doesn’t have the punch to be a standout.

Keep your eyes on Thursday 9th for a clean cruiser session, and if you want a real challenge and have the skills, Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th are for the big wave crew. Wednesday 15th afternoon is the quiet, glassy winner.

Rusty out.

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