Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
14.8° C
0.2° 

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 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,643 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 18s. 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 1.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) 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 0.9m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Thu 20th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Thu 20th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 21st Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, the surf crew. Let me tell you what's cooking for the next couple of weeks.

We're looking at an interesting run ahead. The water temp is sitting right around 59°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The first few days are a bit of a tease, with some decent size but the conditions aren't quite clicking. The real standout is the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd – that's where the magic is set to line up. After that, things get a bit messy again, with a big swell showing up but not much in the way of clean conditions.

Let's start with Rhino Head. This spot is a sheltered reef, beginner-friendly, and picks up a good SW swell. We've got a long period groundswell coming through from the 19th, with waves around 6 ft. The energy is strong at 1669, but it's a bit of a mixed bag with a fresh W wind. Head out on the 20th, Thursday morning, for cleaner conditions. The swell is 5 ft from the SW with a 16-second period, and that NW wind is offshore, making for a clean session. The energy is still strong at 1236.

The real standouts are the 22nd (Saturday) and 23rd (Sunday). Both mornings are looking prime. On Saturday, we've got a light wind from the SW at 6 mph, clean conditions, and head-high 6 ft SW swell with a 15-second period. The energy is very strong at 1360. The water will be clean. Sunday is similar, with a 5 ft SW swell, long 17-second period, and a light N wind. The energy is still very strong (1379). These are the sessions to circle on your calendar. Crowds are sometimes an issue, but with conditions this good, it's worth the company.

The rest of the week dims out. Monday the 24th has small 3 ft waves and low energy (335), and the wind is light but not ideal. Tuesday the 25th is a write-off with a strong cross-shore wind making it choppy, even though there's a 6 ft SW swell. The energy is high (1545), but the conditions are poor.

Looking further ahead, the 27th (Thursday) afternoon could be a wildcard. We're seeing a massive 6 ft swell with a very long 19-second period, and the energy is staggering at 2949. It's a clean cross-off wind, but the report flags it as marginal due to tide. This is a big, powerful groundswell – great for the reef, but it might be a bit much for the average punter. The 28th (Friday) morning has similar conditions with a 7 ft swell (energy 4842) and a clean cross-off wind, but again, it's marked as marginal. This is big, powerful, and only for the experienced crew.

The first week of September looks average. Small, weak swells with poor wind conditions. The best of a bad bunch is the 31st (Monday) afternoon, where we get a glassy 3 ft SSW swell. The energy is still light (760), but it's clean. After that, it's a slow fade.

So, to sum it up: the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd is your best bet. Get out there for some clean, head-high, long-period groundswell. The end of the following week (27th, 28th) has some serious size and power, but you'll need to be on your game and pick the right tide. The rest is a waiting game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, light winds from the SW by Sat morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
WSW
15
1.5
SW
13
1.5
SW
16
1
SW
16
1.7
SW
15
1.6
SW
14
1.7
SW
17
1.8
SW
16
1.7
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.4
SW
17
1.3
SSW
16
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.4
SW
16
1.8
SW
14
1.6
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1488
780
1074
489
1349
992
1643
1532
1306
1059
763
1207
843
496
297
284
600
1004
1290
1018
Wind (km/h)
30
W
20
WNW
25
NW
20
WSW
15
WSW
15
SW
20
W
10
SW
10
SW
15
W
5
NNE
10
N
15
NNW
10
N
5
WSW
15
SW
20
S
25
S
30
SSW
15
S
Wind State
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
4:16PM0.57m
5:43AM0.79m
3:52PM0.52m
6:19AM0.74m
1:59PM0.52m
7:29AM0.68m
12:20PM0.72m
12:56PM0.79m
3:38AM0.37m
1:22PM0.86m
2:36AM0.40m
Low Tide
10:31PM0.11m
12:00PM0.43m
10:32PM0.12m
1:14PM0.52m
10:26PM0.13m
10:07PM0.15m
9:39PM0.15m
9:15PM0.15m
5:30AM0.36m
9:03PM0.14m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
6:56
6:54
6:54
6:52
6:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:54
5:55
5:57
 mm
1
Temp °C
14
14
14
14
13
14
14
14
13
13
13
14
14
14
15
15
13
13
13
12
Feels °C
7
9
9
10
9
10
10
11
11
10
13
11
11
12
14
12
9
7
6
7
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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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