
Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 4 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 18s period, SSW swell with 1,880 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s 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 Saturday (Jul 04) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. 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 1.7m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 4th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 4th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s coming down the line for Rhino Head over the next couple of weeks. Let’s get straight into it.
This is a classic case of "hurry up and wait." The forecast window kicks off with a few days of nothing really worth paddling out for. Friday the 3rd brings a pulse of energy, with a 7ft SSW swell riding on a long 15-second period, but a cross-off wind and marginal conditions keep it from being a proper standout. The water temp is sitting at 60°, which is bang on average for this time of year.
The real bright spot, the one you want to mark on your calendar, lands on Saturday the 4th in the morning. It’s not the biggest swell at 5ft from the SW with a good 14-second period, but that ESE breeze is glassy – dead calm. That’s the kind of clean, glassy surface that turns a modest swell into a really fun session. The combined wave energy sits at 740 (moderate), but that wind makes it feel like a much better day than the numbers suggest. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.
Beyond that, the week gets messy. Sunday the 5th and Monday the 6th are written off by onshore and cross-onshore winds, even as the swell hangs around. Tuesday the 7th through Thursday the 9th are more of the same – poor to marginal conditions with moderate breezes chopping things up, despite some decent long-period energy from the SSW.
The next flicker of hope shows up on Saturday the 11th in the afternoon. A building 6ft WSW swell with a 13-second period and clean cross-off winds from the NNW. The energy is moderate (983), but it’s a solid jump in size with clean conditions.
Then, hold onto your boardies. Sunday the 12th sees a big, raw SW groundswell pushing through. The morning has 8ft of SW swell at a very long 17-second period, but it’s blowing a near gale from the SW at 34 mph. The combined energy is a massive 3544 – that’s strong to very strong. This setup is strictly for experts only, and with that much wind, it’s going to be a beast of a paddle. For most of us, this looks more interesting for kite surfing than a clean paddle session. The afternoon cleans up a touch, but it’s still an 8ft swell with a strong breeze.
Monday the 13th is still big. The morning sees a 7ft SW swell with that same massive energy of 3726, but the winds back off to a moderate cross-off breeze, offering cleaner, more manageable conditions for the confident surfer. This remains big, powerful groundswell best suited to a reef setup like Rhino Head itself.
After that, the energy slowly fades. The rest of the week into the next weekend is a mix of smaller, choppy, or onshore days.
One last little gem to watch: Saturday the 18th in the afternoon. A tiny 4ft SW swell with a 14-second period, but the wind switches to a light offshore breeze from the WNW. That’s glassy clean again. Combined energy is low at 476 (weak), and the waves will be smaller, but that clean, offshore trim will be a treat for anyone wanting a relaxing, uncrowded session. It’s a promising but less certain long-range call.
Bottom line: Saturday morning the 4th is your best bet for clean, glassy fun. Monday the 13th morning is for the big-wave crew in clean, powerful conditions.
Stay sharp, stay safe.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 9°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Fri 10 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1105 | 701 | 548 | 647 | 1438 | 1042 | 604 | 330 | 233 | 154 | 430 | 649 | 735 | 1837 | 1354 | 832 | 568 | 368 | 693 | 551 | 407 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:05AM0.51m | 4:06PM1.03m | 4:36AM0.55m | 4:28PM0.96m | 5:12AM0.60m | 4:48PM0.86m | 5:55AM0.65m | 5:03PM0.75m | 6:51AM0.71m | 5:04PM0.64m | 8:06AM0.78m | 9:43AM0.87m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 10:59PM0.24m | 8:58AM0.27m | 11:15PM0.25m | 9:34AM0.31m | 11:30PM0.26m | 10:15AM0.36m | 11:42PM0.26m | 11:07AM0.44m | 11:54PM0.26m | 12:23PM0.52m | 00:07AM0.25m | 00:21AM0.23m | |||||||||
— | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | |
— | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
1105 | 701 | 548 | 647 | 1438 | 1042 | 604 | 330 | 233 | 154 | 430 | 649 | 489 | 1837 | 1354 | 832 | 568 | 362 | 693 | 551 | 407 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 20 | — | — | — | E 3 | — | SSW 18 | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | SSW 20 | SSW 17 | — | — | — |
54 | 40 | 27 | 186 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 121 | — | — | 735 | — | — | — | 38 | 368 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SE 4 | E 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | — | — | E 2 | E 4 | ENE 3 | NE 3 | NE 3 | — | ENE 3 | E 3 | — | E 2 | ENE 3 | NE 3 |
— | — | — | 6 | 6 | 8 | 4 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 7 |
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.











