Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’ve got a solid run of surf coming up at Rhino Head, a sheltered reef break that’s fairly consistent and best for beginners. The water’s sitting at 60°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so nothing weird there.

Kicking off Wednesday afternoon, 15 July, we’ve got some clouds overhead and a light 6 mph offshore breeze from the NW. Swell’s 5 ft from the SW with a period of 14 seconds, giving us moderate wave energy (857). This is clean, good surf—a nice mellow entry point.

Thursday morning, 16 July, is a bit of a write-off with a cross-shore wind and a marginal tide call, but the afternoon turns it around. Glassy conditions with a 3 mph breeze from the NNW, swell bumps to 5 ft from the SSW, period jumps to 16 seconds, and energy lifts to 1081. That’s a standout. The long period means waves will have shape and power, and with glassy wind, it’ll be pure. A cracker of a session.

Friday 17 July morning is a bit ordinary with cross-shore winds, but the afternoon cleans up nicely. Light 6 mph cross-offshore from the NNW, 4 ft from the SW, 16-second period, 720 energy. Good, clean, not epic but solid.

Saturday 18 July drops off—small swell, weak energy, not worth the paddle. The whole weekend slides into the doldrums, with Sunday 19 July seeing tiny 2 ft swell and poor conditions. Monday 20 July is a bit stronger but still messy with moderate winds.

The real next highlight is Tuesday afternoon, 21 July. Light offshore from the NW at 6 mph, 4 ft from the SW, 13-second period, 552 energy. Good surf, clean, and the winds are friendly. Then Wednesday 22 July morning is glassy with a 3 mph wind from the SW, but the swell’s only 3 ft—fun but small.

Now, looking ahead to Thursday 23 July, we’ve got a solid run. Morning has a moderate offshore from the WNW at 12 mph, 5 ft from the SW, 16-second period, 883 energy. Clean and strong. Afternoon’s even better—16 mph offshore from the WNW, same 5 ft, but energy’s 893. This is a standout for the second week. The long period groundswell will groove nicely on this reef.

Friday 24 July falls apart with strong cross-shore winds and a chop. Saturday 25 July starts with a tricky cross-shore, but the afternoon turns it around: gentle 9 mph cross-offshore from the W, 5 ft from the SSW, 16-second period, 976 energy. Good surf, clean, and the crowd can be an issue here sometimes—expect a few out.

The final standout is Monday 27 July afternoon. Light 6 mph cross-offshore from the WSW, 5 ft from the SSW, 15-second period, 942 energy. Clean, solid, and well-shaped. Tuesday 28 July afternoon goes glassy with a 3 mph breeze from the ESE, but only 3 ft from the SSW—small but clean.

The run fades out after that, with tiny swell through the 29th and 30th, though the 30th afternoon has a gentle offshore from the NW, 3 ft from the SSW, and a very long 20-second period (529 energy)—worth checking for a clean, glassy session on the reef.

Overall, the best of the lot are Thursday 16 July afternoon and Thursday 23 July afternoon. Glassy offshore for the first, and a solid offshore with powerful groundswell for the second. Don’t sleep on the 21st afternoon either.

Rusty.

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