
Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, SW swell with 3,269 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s 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 (Jul 14) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. 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 2.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
The surf forecast for Rhino Head is a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks. It kicks off this weekend but the conditions are pretty rough. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year, so you won't need the thickest winter suit.
The first few days, from Saturday the 11th right through to Tuesday the 14th, are a write-off for decent surfing. The wind is howling from the WSW and W, pushing 28 to 31 mph, making a mess of things. The swell is solid, between 7 ft and 8 ft, with moderate energy, but it's all cross-off wind and poor conditions. This is only for the experienced crew, and honestly, it looks more like a kite session than a paddle session.
The real standout window arrives on Wednesday the 15th. The swell drops to a clean 5 ft from the SW, with a long 14 to 15 second period. The real magic is the wind. On Wednesday morning we get a light breeze, and by the afternoon it turns glassy. This is going to be clean, lined-up reef waves. The energy is moderate, but the quality will be there for a good session. That’s the pick of the early run.
Thursday the 16th is cleaner but smaller, with 4 ft SW swell, and the wind stays light. Friday the 17th has a bit more size (5 ft) from the SSW, but the wind is cross-shore and lumpy, so it loses some of that clean appeal. After that, the swell drops off hard through the 18th, just 2 ft to 3 ft and weak.
Now, looking into the second week, there’s a promising pulse showing up. Sunday the 19th sees a solid 5 ft to 6 ft SW groundswell with a very long 18 second period, and the wind is offshore. That’s a combination that screams quality at a reef like Rhino Head, but it’s a long-range call so keep your fingers crossed. The energy picks up, so there will be some punch. After that, the swell fades again by the 21st and 22nd, turning weak and ordinary.
The real long-range standout is Thursday the 23rd. We’ve got a 7 ft SSW swell with a 16 second period, and energy is pumping. The wind is cross-off from the north, so it’s clean. That’s a proper swell for experts only, but it’s two weeks out – promising but not locked in.
So, the takeaway: If you want the best of the early window, get out on Wednesday the 15th when the wind goes glassy. For the week after, keep an eye on Sunday the 19th and Thursday the 23rd for the bigger, cleaner sets. Crowds can be a thing here sometimes, so get there early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, moderate winds from the SW by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 8 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
495 | 1448 | 1908 | 1777 | 1799 | 1762 | 2954 | 2941 | 3231 | 2761 | 2007 | 1288 | 881 | 763 | 614 | 476 | 469 | 1043 | 1067 | 740 | 476 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 11:10AM0.97m | 12:14PM1.07m | 1:22AM0.26m | 1:06PM1.16m | 1:50AM0.30m | 1:51PM1.21m | 2:20AM0.37m | 2:32PM1.22m | 2:54AM0.45m | 3:09PM1.19m | 3:30AM0.53m | 3:42PM1.12m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 1:01AM0.23m | 9:31PM0.21m | 3:57AM0.24m | 9:29PM0.18m | 5:42AM0.21m | 9:42PM0.16m | 6:52AM0.17m | 10:00PM0.16m | 7:50AM0.15m | 10:20PM0.16m | 8:40AM0.16m | 10:39PM0.17m | |||||||||
7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
— | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | |
mm | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
Feels °C | 4 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | — | — | — | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 |
134 | — | — | — | 521 | 622 | 2954 | 2941 | 3231 | 2761 | 2007 | 1288 | 881 | 763 | 614 | 476 | 469 | 1043 | 1067 | 740 | 476 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | — | — | — | — | SSW 18 | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | SSW 18 | — | — | — | — |
1 | — | — | — | — | 62 | — | — | — | 437 | 406 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 131 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | NE 3 | NNW 4 | NE 2 | NE 3 | NE 4 | NE 3 |
495 | 1448 | 1908 | 1777 | 1799 | 1762 | 64 | 90 | 1702 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 723 | 963 | 963 | 1180 | 1332 | 721 | 1028 | 1028 | 724 | 733 | 44 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 83 | 5 | 9 |
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.










