
Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s period, SSW swell with 1,508 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s 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 (Sep 12) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s. 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 1.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The long-range picture here is a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. We got a solid stretch of waiting ahead before things really line up. The first week is looking mostly like a write-off for a proper surf, with onshore winds and junky conditions. But hang in there, because there’s a real window of clean waves coming in the second week, and a couple of days that stand out as the best of the bunch.
Right now, through the 12th, it’s pretty grim. We’ve got a decent amount of swell in the water, but it’s being hammered by onshore and cross-onshore winds. Nothing is breaking clean at Rhino Head. You’re looking at lumpy, blown-out lines with no real shape. Water temp is sitting at 59°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so the wetsuit you got is the right one.
Things start to tease us a little on the morning of the 13th. The wind swings offshore and a 3ft SSW groundswell shows up. It’s small, but it’s clean. That’s the first time you’ll want to paddle out, but it’s not the main event. The energy is weak, only around 458, so it’s more of a grovel than a proper session.
We go flat and clean for a few days after that. The 14th and 15th have some swell but the wind is all wrong—onshore again and messing it up. Not worth the effort. Then on the 16th, the swell pushes back up to 6ft, but the wind is still cross-onshore in the morning. The afternoon glassed off a bit with a light SE wind, but the waves are still pretty average.
Now, here’s where it gets good. The 17th is a highlight. The wind goes light offshore from the north, and we’ve got a clean 4ft SSW groundswell at 14 seconds. It’s not big, but it’s clean and has some push to it. The energy is moderate at 571. This is a proper surfable day, especially if you’re on a log or a fish.
The next real standout, and the best of the whole stretch, is the 24th. There’s a new SSW groundswell pushing in around 6ft, with a moderate 1562 in energy. But what makes it special is the wind is light and cross-offshore, keeping the surface clean. This is the day to call in sick for. Rhino Head (Big Island) is a reef break, so this longer-period groundswell will set up nicely, especially with that offshore flow. This is your pick of the whole 16-day window. Light offshore winds and solid swell are a rare combo.
The 22nd comes close, with a 5ft swell at a very long 17 seconds, but the wind is a light cross-shore, which puts a bit of chop on it. It’s okay, but not as clean as the 24th.
After the 24th, the wind and swell look to fizzle out again. We’re back to small and messy by the 25th. So, to sum it up: the first week is mostly a bust, the 17th is a fun warm-up, and the 24th is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s still a bit far out, so don’t book the flight yet, but the signals are good.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat night, min 10°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1713 | 1273 | 740 | 674 | 859 | 926 | 832 | 693 | 377 | 458 | 362 | 226 | 288 | 282 | 269 | 1415 | 1488 | 1237 | 1460 | 1423 | 851 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:43PM0.90m | 2:08AM0.60m | 2:11PM0.87m | 2:29AM0.72m | 2:36PM0.82m | 2:51AM0.82m | 2:58PM0.75m | 3:15AM0.88m | 3:16PM0.68m | 3:39AM0.92m | 3:32PM0.60m | 4:02AM0.91m | 3:40PM0.53m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:25PM0.08m | 7:47AM0.09m | 8:34PM0.06m | 8:25AM0.05m | 8:44PM0.04m | 9:00AM0.04m | 8:56PM0.02m | 9:32AM0.06m | 9:08PM0.02m | 10:02AM0.10m | 9:19PM0.02m | 10:31AM0.16m | 9:29PM0.03m | ||||||||
6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
1713 | 1273 | 740 | 674 | 859 | 926 | 832 | 693 | 377 | 458 | 362 | 226 | 288 | 282 | 269 | 1415 | 1488 | 1237 | 1460 | 1423 | 851 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 26 | S 25 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 19 | NE 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 13 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 136 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 37 | 80 | 264 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | — | — | — | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NNW 4 | WNW 4 | WSW 3 | SW 5 | W 3 | S 2 | SE 3 | SE 3 | ESE 4 | E 4 | ESE 3 | E 3 |
23 | 10 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 209 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 83 | 0 | 640 | 0 | 157 | 132 | 30 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 9 |
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.










