Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 13 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
14.9° C
0.3° 

Rhino Head surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Rhino Head surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 2,178 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 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 (Aug 14) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m 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 2.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 14th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 16s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 14th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 9AM (Thu 13th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up.

First up, we’ve got a window of solid, long-period SW groundswell rolling in, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag with the wind. The water temp is sitting at 59°F which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no nasty surprises there.

The best bet for the whole run looks like Friday morning, the 14th of August. We’re talking about a solid 7ft swell from the SSW with a very long 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is pumping at 2002 (strong wave energy). The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze from the SW, which is going to keep the faces clean. This is the standout session for a confident surfer. Rhino Head is a sheltered reef, so that long period energy will wrap in nicely, giving you some real shape. It’s a beginner-friendly break, but at 7ft, it’s starting to push the limits for total novices.

Thursday the 13th is a bit of a tease. We’ve got a similar 7ft SSW swell with that impressive 16-second period (combined energy 2178 – strong wave energy), but the cross-offshore wind is a bit stronger. It’s still surfable and clean, but the forecast calls it “marginal,” likely due to the tide. Not a write-off, but Friday morning is the clear winner.

After that, things get messy. From Saturday the 15th right through to the end of the 16-day window, the wind swings onshore or cross-onshore from the ESE and ENE, just destroying the quality. The swell drops right off, and the combined energy falls to weak or moderate levels. There’s a long stretch of poor conditions here – about a week and a half of nothing worth paddling out for.

Now, there is a glimmer in the very long-range forecast. On Tuesday the 25th of August, the wind is still a bit strong (22 mph), but it’s a cross-offshore from the N, keeping things clean. The swell is back to 5ft from the SW, but the period has jumped to a massive 19 seconds (combined energy 2265 – strong wave energy). That is a very long-period groundswell. It’s still a “marginal” call on the conditions, but if the wind co-operates, that’s a session you’d want to be watching. It’s a promising but less certain long-range target.

For the rest of the run, it’s a no-go for a paddle. The wind is just too strong or too onshore, and the swell is either too small or too weak. If you’re a kite surfer, the strong cross-offshore winds we see on the 22nd and 23rd of August with the 5ft to 5ft swell might be worth a look, but for a surfer, it’s a long wait.

Stay patient, and circle that Friday morning, 14th of August.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Sun night, fresh winds from the NNW by Tue night).

Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
4
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
SSW
16
1.9
SW
15
2
SSW
16
2
SSW
16
1.9
SSW
16
1.8
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
16
1.6
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
15
1.2
SW
14
1.2
SSW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.2
SW
16
1.2
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
1.1
SW
17
0.9
SSW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2178
1730
1953
2002
1809
1671
1339
1225
711
614
553
463
748
720
489
695
464
255
223
305
492
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
20
W
15
WSW
5
SW
10
SSW
10
ESE
15
ESE
20
ESE
20
E
20
ESE
20
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
ENE
20
NE
30
NNE
25
NE
30
N
30
WNW
25
W
15
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
off
off
off
High Tide
2:27PM1.08m
2:49AM0.57m
2:57PM1.03m
3:17AM0.67m
3:23PM0.96m
3:45AM0.75m
3:46PM0.86m
4:14AM0.81m
4:04PM0.76m
4:43AM0.83m
4:16PM0.66m
5:12AM0.83m
4:16PM0.57m
Low Tide
9:24PM0.11m
8:14AM0.11m
9:36PM0.09m
8:57AM0.11m
9:50PM0.09m
9:36AM0.13m
10:03PM0.08m
10:14AM0.18m
10:15PM0.08m
10:49AM0.25m
10:25PM0.09m
11:23AM0.34m
10:31PM0.11m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:00
6:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:47
5:49
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
 mm
9
Temp °C
14
14
14
14
14
14
13
13
13
13
12
13
14
16
14
15
16
16
14
14
14
Feels °C
10
10
10
12
11
11
10
8
8
8
7
10
11
13
9
10
11
10
8
9
11
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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