Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,356 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 15s 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 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) 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 0.9m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s comin’ for Rhino Head. It’s a slow build, so don’t expect much in the first few days.
Right now, the waiting game begins. There’s a bit of surf on Friday the 17th with 4ft SSW swell, but after that, we hit a quiet stretch. From Saturday the 18th through to Monday the 21st, it’s small and ordinary – waves between 2ft and 3.5ft, mostly from the SW. The water’s sittin’ right on average for the time of year at 59.5°, nothing unusual there.
We finally see some real life on Tuesday the 21st afternoon, with that SW groundswell holding at 3.5ft and a lovely offshore breeze from the WNW kickin’ in. The energy’s moderate but the clean conditions make it a nice little window. Wednesday the 22nd gets a bit bumpy with cross-shore winds, but Thursday the 23rd is the standout. That morning, the swell jumps to 5.5ft from the SSW with a period of 14 seconds and glassy conditions – a NE breeze at just 3 mph. The wave energy is strong and it’s a beginner-friendly reef break, so shorey won’t be a drama. Just know that crowds are possible here sometimes, so get in early for that morning glass.
The afternoon stays clean with a moderate offshore from the W at 12 mph, still holding that solid 5.5ft SW swell. This is easily the best day of the forecast – clean, solid, and proper groundswell. Friday the 24th gets a bit messy with rain and stronger winds, but the swell’s still around 4.5-5ft. The following days into late July drop off in size and quality, with a few cleaner moments but nothing that fires like the 23rd.
Come the last week of July into early August, there’s some bigger surf showing – 6ft on Tuesday the 28th from the SW with long period (16 seconds) and strong energy – but the wind is fresh and strong (25 mph) making it hard work. That one’s for the experts only if you’re game, but the conditions are marginal.
All up, Thursday the 23rd is your day. Get on it.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 657 | 412 | 313 | 208 | 136 | 120 | 252 | 498 | 432 | 404 | 581 | 437 | 418 | 240 | 126 | 495 | 905 | 1142 | 1203 | 1193 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:42PM1.12m | 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 | — | — |
 | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 657 | 412 | 313 | 208 | 136 | 120 | 115 | 498 | 432 | 404 | 581 | 437 | 418 | 240 | 126 | 29 | 905 | 1142 | 1203 | 1193 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 | SW 20 | SW 18 | WSW 7 | W 7 | SW 15 | W 10 | — | — | SW 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SW 6 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | 17 | 3 | 97 | 252 | 9 | 27 | 75 | 66 | — | — | 34 | 4 | 36 | 20 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 22 | — | ENE 3 | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 18 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NW 6 | NNW 3 | — | N 2 | N 3 | WNW 4 | — | — | — | — | W 4 | SW 13 | — | — | WSW 4 | WSW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 495 | — | — | 17 | 18 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 712 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 161 |
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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