
Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,081 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 15s 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 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
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.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 14°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
857 | 711 | 807 | 1081 | 801 | 853 | 720 | 412 | 313 | 246 | 172 | 118 | 252 | 508 | 453 | 482 | 304 | 371 | 552 | 324 | 232 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 2:54AM0.45m | 3:09PM1.19m | 3:30AM0.53m | 3:42PM1.12m | 4:06AM0.61m | 4:11PM1.02m | 4:45AM0.67m | 4:36PM0.90m | 5:25AM0.72m | 4:53PM0.77m | 6:08AM0.75m | 4:58PM0.66m | 6:59AM0.76m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:00PM0.16m | 7:50AM0.15m | 10:20PM0.16m | 8:40AM0.16m | 10:39PM0.17m | 9:28AM0.20m | 10:57PM0.18m | 10:13AM0.27m | 11:14PM0.19m | 10:59AM0.36m | 11:28PM0.20m | 11:50AM0.45m | 11:38PM0.21m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | |
5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | 5:31 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
857 | 711 | 807 | 1081 | 801 | 853 | 720 | 412 | 313 | 246 | 172 | 118 | 252 | 508 | 453 | 482 | 304 | 371 | 552 | 324 | 232 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 6 | SW 20 | SW 12 | W 7 | ENE 3 | NE 4 | S 18 | W 5 | NNE 3 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 9 | 3 | 97 | 92 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 75 | 34 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 22 | SW 20 | W 4 | — | — | — | SW 7 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 15 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 6 | N 4 | — | NNE 2 | NNW 4 | WNW 6 | N 3 | NNW 3 | NNE 2 | NNW 3 | WNW 5 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 7 | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 83 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











