Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 04 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
14.8° C
0.1° 

Rhino Head surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Rhino Head surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 21s period, SW swell with 11,138 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rhino Head in the next 16 days are 3.5m 21s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Thu 6th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Best Surf 9PM (Thu 6th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 17s
Most Powerful 3PM (Tue 11th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 21s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Rhino Head over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the whole period is actually pretty interesting. The first couple of days are just a tease, with small, weak swell. Things really start to kick off from Thursday the 6th of August, and we’ve got a few solid pulses of energy coming through. The water temp is sitting right where it should be for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Wednesday 5th August is a write-off, to be honest. We’ve got a tiny 2ft SSW swell, but it’s got a very long period of 19 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, but at that size, it’s just not enough to get excited about. The wind is a cross-off from the NNW, but the energy is weak, and the surf is poor. Leave the board at home.

Thursday 6th August is where we start to see a pulse. The morning has a clean 3ft SSW swell, period still long at 16 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate. By the afternoon, it builds to 3.6ft from the SW, with a light cross-off breeze and the energy climbs. This is a good, clean option for a beginner session. The swell is small, but it’s the best we’ve seen yet.

Friday 7th August gets a bit bigger, with 5.2ft to 5.6ft SW swell. The period is still a solid 16-17 seconds, and the energy is now strong. However, the wind is a moderate cross-off from the N/NNE, and the conditions are described as marginal. It’s surfable, but it’s not the best quality. The size is getting into the “too big for some beginners” zone.

Saturday 8th August is a complete no-go. A fresh breeze from the N at 22 mph and rain makes for poor conditions. The 4.6ft SW swell is there, but it’s messy. Give it a miss.

Sunday 9th August is even worse for paddle surfing. The swell jumps to 7.2ft to 8.2ft from the WSW/SW, with a very strong energy, but a near-gale wind (28 - 34 mph) is blowing. This is a kite surfing setup, not a paddle surfing one. The conditions are poor.

Monday 10th August is a standout. The morning sees a solid 9.8ft SW swell with a period of 17 seconds and a huge energy reading. The wind is a fresh offshore from the WNW, making for clean, lined-up waves. This is excellent for experienced surfers only. The afternoon holds 8.2ft, but the wind picks up to a strong offshore, making it hard to paddle into. The morning is the window.

Tuesday 11th August has a mixed bag. The morning is poor with strong cross-off winds. But the afternoon is a real highlight. A massive 11.5ft SW swell, with a very long period of 21 seconds, and a huge energy reading. The wind is a fresh cross-off. This is a serious, expert-level groundswell. The long period will make it very straight at a beach break, but Rhino Head is a reef, so it should handle it. This is another one for the experienced crew only.

Wednesday 12th August is back to messy, with a near-gale offshore wind making it nearly impossible to paddle into. The 9.8ft swell is there, but it’s not worth the battle.

Thursday 13th August is a top-tier day. The morning has a clean 8.2ft swell from the SSW, with a period of 18 seconds and very strong energy. The wind is a light cross-off, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a proper, powerful groundswell with clean conditions.

Friday 14th August and Saturday 15th August are both very good. We’ve got 5.6ft to 6.2ft SW swell, with periods of 15-17 seconds and moderate to strong energy. The wind is light and offshore, making for clean, fun waves. This is the sweet spot for a wider range of surfers, as the size is manageable but still has plenty of punch.

Sunday 16th August and Monday 17th August see the swell drop back to 3.3ft - 3.9ft. The wind is light, and the conditions are good for a small wave session. The energy is moderate.

Tuesday 18th August sees another big pulse. The morning is a bit messy with a cross-shore wind, but the afternoon is a standout. A 7.9ft SW swell, period of 16 seconds, and a strong energy. The wind is a gentle cross-off, and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is a great option.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri night, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Fri night, near gales from the WSW by Sun afternoon).

Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
3
4
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
20
0.6
SSW
19
0.7
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
1.1
SW
16
1.7
SW
15
1.7
SW
16
1.6
SW
17
1.4
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
1.2
SW
14
2.2
WSW
16
2.5
SW
16
3
SW
19
3
SW
17
2.5
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
280
246
283
475
441
610
1341
1412
1450
976
883
784
606
2271
3283
7179
4566
3573
2341
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
15
NNW
20
NNW
20
WNW
15
SW
10
SW
10
NE
20
NNE
20
N
35
N
35
N
35
N
35
NNW
45
W
55
WSW
45
W
35
WNW
45
WNW
40
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
5:18AM0.80m
4:29PM0.65m
5:59AM0.83m
4:19PM0.55m
6:55AM0.84m
8:33AM0.83m
11:06AM0.88m
12:25PM0.97m
2:55AM0.27m
Low Tide
10:42PM0.14m
11:17AM0.35m
10:51PM0.12m
12:14PM0.44m
11:00PM0.11m
11:08PM0.10m
11:05PM0.12m
10:18PM0.14m
9:24PM0.14m
clear
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:13
7:13
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:42
5:43
5:43
5:44
5:45
5:45
 mm
1
1
2
10
10
2
2
2
2
5
4
Temp °C
12
13
13
14
13
14
13
16
17
16
15
13
14
12
12
14
14
14
13
Feels °C
9
9
8
11
10
12
12
12
13
14
8
6
8
2
1
7
8
5
5
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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