Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SSW swell with 1,087 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. 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 1.6m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Rhino Head in feet and miles per hour. We’ve got a slow start, but some serious potential later on.
The first few days are a bust. From Saturday the 18th to Sunday the 19th of July, there’s a gap with poor surf. The swell is tiny – around 2ft to 3ft – and the wind is cross or cross-off. Not worth the effort.
Monday the 20th starts to get better. The morning is still marginal, but the afternoon brings a clean 3ft swell from the SW, with moderate energy. The wind is a gentle cross-off breeze, keeping things clean. You’ll find a few waves, but it’s not the highlight.
Tuesday the 21st is similar – a 4ft SW swell with clean conditions in the morning. The afternoon has a proper offshore wind from the WNW at 9 mph. The waves are surfable, but nothing special.
Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd see a dip. Wednesday is small and poor. Thursday morning brings a bigger 5ft SSW swell with strong energy, but the wind is light cross-shore, making it messy.
Now, here’s the good stuff. Friday the 24th of July has a solid 4ft SW swell with a clean offshore wind from the NW at 16 mph. The energy is moderate, and the waves look clean. Saturday the 25th is also promising – a consistent 4ft SW swell with a moderate offshore breeze from the WNW. Good, clean waves.
Sunday the 26th is a mess with strong winds at 25 mph from the NNW. Not worth it.
The real standout is coming up. Monday the 27th of July has a clean 3ft SSW swell with a long period of 18 seconds, and the energy is strong. The wind is offshore from the W at 13 mph. That’s a proper groundswell, and the reef at Rhino Head will love it.
Tuesday the 28th is also a winner – a 5ft SSW swell with strong energy, clean offshore wind from the W. That’s a solid day for experienced surfers.
And then the big one. On Thursday the 30th of July, we’ve got a 10ft SW swell with a massive combined energy of 4474 in the morning and 7428 in the afternoon. That’s a very strong, powerful swell. The wind is light and clean. This is only for experts – over 8ft is serious business. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.
After that, the surf drops off. Friday the 31st has a 6ft SW swell but the wind gets messy, and into the weekend we’re looking at poor conditions with strong cross-onshore winds and chop. The forecast ends on Sunday the 2nd of August with no real options.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a slow start, but the best standout days are Tuesday the 28th of July and especially Thursday the 30th of July for the experts. Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th are solid for intermediate surfers. After that, it fades out.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 412 | 313 | 208 | 166 | 120 | 252 | 498 | 432 | 404 | 658 | 437 | 346 | 240 | 96 | 170 | 851 | 1057 | 721 | 897 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 4:06AM0.61m | 4:11PM1.02m | 4:45AM0.67m | 4:36PM0.90m | 5:25AM0.72m | 4:53PM0.77m | 6:08AM0.75m | 4:58PM0.66m | 6:59AM0.76m | 4:25PM0.58m | 8:11AM0.76m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:39PM0.17m | 9:28AM0.20m | 10:57PM0.18m | 10:13AM0.27m | 11:14PM0.19m | 10:59AM0.36m | 11:28PM0.20m | 11:50AM0.45m | 11:38PM0.21m | 1:03PM0.53m | 11:42PM0.22m | 11:35PM0.23m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 412 | 313 | 208 | 166 | 120 | 115 | 498 | 432 | 404 | 658 | 437 | 346 | 240 | 96 | 170 | 851 | 1057 | 721 | 897 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 6 | NW 6 | SW 22 | SW 20 | SW 18 | WNW 7 | — | NNE 3 | W 10 | — | — | WSW 5 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 6 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 16 | 11 | 18 | 97 | 252 | 54 | — | 1 | 66 | — | — | 4 | 77 | 70 | 18 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 21 | ENE 3 | ENE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 18 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 6 | ENE 3 | NNW 6 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | N 2 | NNW 3 | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SSE 3 | SE 3 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 7 | 11 | 3 | 3 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 5 | 11 | 28 | 5 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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