Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, SW swell with 3,148 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 16s period. 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 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Rhino Head. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. The first few days are a bit rough, with strong cross-offshore winds and a lot of that swell energy being messy. The real standout window is shaping up for Friday the 14th and into the weekend after that.
For the best surf of the run, I’m looking at Friday, August 14th. We’ve got a solid SW groundswell pumping in at 7 feet to 7 feet, with a long period of 16 to 17 seconds. That’s the kind of energy that gets you excited. The combined swell energy is sitting at a strong 2460, so there’s plenty of push. The wind is a light 6 mph from the west, which is a nice cross-offshore breeze, keeping things clean. This is a reef setup, so that long-period groundswell is going to wrap in nicely. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is pretty much normal for the time of year, so no surprises there. This is excellent surf, but at that size, it’s definitely for the more experienced crew. Beginners might find it a bit too much.
Now, the rest of the period is a bit of a mixed bag. After Friday, the wind swings around to the east-southeast on the 15th and 16th, turning onshore and killing the quality. The swell drops off, and we get a few days of poor conditions. Then there’s a quiet patch with small, weak swell from the 19th to the 21st.
There is a glimmer of hope late in the run. On Sunday, August 23rd, the afternoon shows a glassy, 5 feet SW swell with a 17-second period and a combined energy of 1795. The wind is dead calm, glassy – that’s a major positive. That session could be a beauty, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it.
The last day of the forecast, Tuesday, August 25th, sees a return of a 6 feet SW swell, but the wind is a bit stronger from the north, making it a cross-off. It’s rideable, but not as clean as that Friday.
So, the bottom line: Friday, August 14th is the one to circle. The rest of the window has a few fun moments, but that’s your best bet. Stay patient, and don’t be afraid to wait for that glassy Sunday afternoon if it holds.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue night, light winds from the WSW by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 12°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2465 | 1265 | 736 | 289 | 2626 | 3052 | 2912 | 2349 | 2007 | 1592 | 1434 | 2460 | 2051 | 1517 | 1126 | 1112 | 829 | 720 | 701 | 606 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 2:55AM0.27m | 1:14PM1.05m | 2:11AM0.35m | 1:53PM1.08m | 2:26AM0.46m | 2:27PM1.08m | 2:49AM0.57m | 2:57PM1.03m | 3:17AM0.67m | 3:23PM0.96m | 3:45AM0.75m | 3:46PM0.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:24PM0.14m | 4:16AM0.27m | 9:11PM0.13m | 6:22AM0.21m | 9:14PM0.12m | 7:25AM0.15m | 9:24PM0.11m | 8:14AM0.11m | 9:36PM0.09m | 8:57AM0.11m | 9:50PM0.09m | 9:36AM0.13m | 10:03PM0.08m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | WSW 9 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 1031 | 1265 | 736 | 129 | 207 | 2030 | 996 | 2349 | 2007 | 1592 | 1434 | 2460 | 2051 | 1517 | 1126 | 1112 | 829 | 720 | 701 | 606 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 226 | 261 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 289 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | — | NW 5 | NW 5 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | ESE 3 | E 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 |
| kJ | 2465 | — | 51 | 45 | 2626 | 3052 | 2912 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 937 | 5 | 468 | 535 | 535 | 1028 | 723 | 155 | 5 | 155 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
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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