
Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s period, SW swell with 1,520 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 16s period. 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 1.8m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up.
We’re starting off a bit slow, but there’s some real promise on the horizon. The first good window shapes up on Friday morning, July 24th, at Rhino Head. It’s a sheltered reef break, and it’s fairly consistent. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there. Friday morning brings some clouds and a cross-off breeze from the WSW at 9 mph. Swell is a solid 5 ft from the SSW with a very long 15-second period, pumping in a lot of energy (1069). The conditions are clean, and the crowd factor is listed as “sometimes,” so it could be a bit busy, but it’s worth it for that quality. The swell direction is a good match for the optimum SW. This is the standout of the first week.
Friday afternoon drops off quickly, and the rest of the weekend into Monday is pretty ordinary — small, messy, or just not worth the paddle. Tuesday the 28th, however, looks interesting. The morning has a clean 5 ft swell from the WSW with offshore WNW wind at 16 mph, moderate energy (835), and good conditions. The afternoon gets a bigger 6 ft SW swell with a 15-second period, very high energy (1481), but it’s flagged as questionable for tide. Still, if you can time it, that afternoon could be a ripper.
Wednesday and Thursday are more marginal, with lighter winds and smaller swell. Friday the 31st has a small but clean 4 ft SSW swell with a 19-second period — very long period — and light cross-off winds. That’s more of a finesse session.
Now, the big one. Saturday, August 1st, is a standout. The morning has a 6 ft SSW swell, 18-second period, with clean cross-off breeze from the N at 12 mph. The afternoon is even better: 7 ft SSW swell, 18-second period, with very high energy (2547) and a gentle cross-off breeze. That’s a proper groundswell. For a reef like Rhino Head, this is prime. The size is getting into expert territory, but it’s clean. Sunday the 2nd also holds well, with a clean 6 ft SW swell in the afternoon, offshore WNW wind, and very good conditions.
The following week is a bit of a mixed bag. Monday the 3rd has a 7 ft SW swell onshore, which is blown out. Tuesday and Wednesday are mostly poor with onshore or cross-shore winds. Thursday the 6th has a clean 5 ft SSW swell, but it’s moderate energy. After that, it fades fast into tiny, weak surf for the remainder of the forecast.
So, the best on offer is Friday morning July 24th for a mellow, clean start, and then the real heavy hitter is Saturday August 1st through Sunday August 2nd for the biggest, cleanest, most powerful swell of the window. The rest is mostly filler or blown out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Mon night, light winds from the S by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 9 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1460 | 1069 | 857 | 639 | 488 | 369 | 319 | 255 | 264 | 195 | 386 | 286 | 197 | 634 | 1432 | 1289 | 920 | 765 | 545 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 10:19AM0.78m | 11:59AM0.84m | 12:49PM0.90m | 1:24PM0.96m | 2:45AM0.37m | 1:54PM1.01m | 2:43AM0.41m | 2:20PM1.04m | 2:54AM0.45m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 11:35PM0.23m | 11:03PM0.24m | 10:07PM0.23m | 9:39PM0.22m | 9:34PM0.20m | 6:03AM0.32m | 9:37PM0.19m | 6:55AM0.27m | 9:44PM0.17m | ||||||||||
— | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 7 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 9 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 |
1460 | 1069 | 857 | 639 | 488 | 369 | 319 | 255 | 264 | 195 | 386 | 286 | 197 | 156 | 1432 | 1289 | 920 | 765 | 545 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | S 18 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 13 | W 4 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SW 18 | SW 14 | SW 22 | SSW 20 | SW 14 |
— | — | — | — | 67 | 6 | 10 | 25 | 8 | 86 | 28 | 10 | 52 | 45 | 49 | 206 | 18 | 38 | 47 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | — | SW 21 | SSW 20 | — |
— | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 79 | — | — | — | 18 | 40 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | W 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 3 | WSW 11 | WSW 6 | S 3 | SSE 3 | — | SSE 2 |
— | — | 8 | 19 | 66 | 21 | 18 | 26 | 14 | — | 2 | 10 | 4 | 634 | 45 | 5 | 2 | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 44 | 0 | 510 | 510 | 30 | 155 | 30 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 132 | 157 | 0 | 1188 | 30 | 11 | 30 | 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.










