Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cookin’ for Rhino Head over the next couple of weeks.

We’re looking at a pretty drawn-out run of small to moderate SW groundswell. The standout is definitely late in the first week, but we’ve got a few promising windows scattered through the period. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so a standard 3/2 steamer will do the job.

First up, the week kicks off a bit underwhelming. Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st offer rideable 3ft to 4ft swell from the SW, with a long period of 15 seconds. The wind is light cross-off, so the surface is clean, but the energy is moderate (427 to 535). It’s surfable, but nothing to get too excited about.

Wednesday morning the 22nd holds a similar 4ft SW swell, but the wind picks up to 16 mph, making it a bit messier. The afternoon goes clear with a 4ft SW swell, but the wind is still strong, and the quality drops off. Not our day.

Things go wonky on Thursday the 23rd. The swell jumps to 6ft from the SSW, with a period of 14 seconds and strong wave energy (1340). But the wind is a full-on cross-shore at 19 mph, creating lumpy conditions. This is not a paddle surfer’s friend. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Now, here’s where we get a little sparkle. Friday the 24th morning sees a solid 5ft SSW swell with a 15-second period and moderate wave energy (1376). The wind is a clean cross-off, so the face should be tidy. The break is a sheltered reef, so it’ll handle that long-period groundswell nicely. This is definitely the best option in the first week. The afternoon drops off a bit, so hit the morning session.

Saturday the 25th is a bit of a mixed bag. The morning is smaller at 4ft, but the afternoon improves with a 4ft SSW swell and light 9 mph cross-off wind. The energy is moderate (475), and the wave comment says “good surf conditions.” It’s a solid, clean option, but not the standout.

But hold on. Sunday the 26th morning is a glassy gem. The swell drops to 3ft from the SW, but the wind is literally glass – 3 mph from the north. The wave energy is low (242), but for a log or a fun board, this will be a dreamy, clean little session. The afternoon is a bit windier, but still clean.

The following week is more of a mixed bag with a few wildcards. On Monday the 27th, the wind howls again, making the 4ft to 6ft swell ugly. Skip it.

Tuesday the 28th is a big one. Rain showers, big swell hitting 8ft to 8ft from the SW, with a very long period of 15 seconds and massive wave energy (3553). This is big, powerful, and expert-only territory. The wind is a strong offshore, so the surface will be clean, but the power is immense. Only for the experienced crew. The morning is a bit more manageable than the afternoon.

The rest of the second week fades out. Wednesday the 29th through Friday the 1st of August sees smaller, weaker swell (2ft to 4ft) with clean but light winds. The best of this low-energy run is possibly Thursday the 30th morning with 4ft SSW swell, gentle cross-off wind, and low wave energy (516). The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions,” so it’s a soft, fun option for the mellow surfer.

The final few days into the 4th of August are a washout, with small, weak, cross-shore winds and poor conditions. A real blank run to finish the 16-day window.

So, to wrap it up: Friday the 24th morning is your best bet for solid, clean chest-to-shoulder-high surf with decent power. The Sunday the 26th morning is a glassy, small-wave standout for the cruiser. The Tuesday the 28th is a big, powerful beast for experts only.

Rusty.

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