Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
15.5° C
0.2° 

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 20 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s period, SSW swell with 1,571 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 6PM. 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 1.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Mon 20th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 15s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 20th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 15s
Most Powerful 3PM (Thu 23rd Jul)6ft (1.9m) 15s

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 coming down the pipe for Rhino Head.

The 16-day window starts with a bit of a whimper. The first few days have some swell, but the winds are messy, and it’s not really coming together for a proper session. Honestly, you could probably give Monday the 20th a miss unless you’re desperate.

Things start to look a little more interesting later on, but for the most part, this isn’t a blockbuster forecast. There’s one real standout on the horizon.

The water’s sitting at about 60°, which is pretty average for the time of year, so nothing unusual there.

The Pick of the Window

Alright, the best chance we’ve got looks to be Tuesday the 28th in the afternoon. The winds are set to swing light from the SW, turning into a glassy cross-offshore breeze. That should clean things right up. We’re looking at a solid 4ft of swell out of the SSW, with a period of 16 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and it’s packing a punch with a combined energy reading of 680. That’s a good sign for some nicely shaped, powerful lines at this sheltered reef. This window is a seasonable long way out, so keep an eye on it, but if it holds, this is your session.

The Middle Ground

The weekend of the 26th and 27th has some knee-to-waist high swell from the SW, but the wind is a persistent cross-offshore breeze around 15 mph. It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about. Better than the earlier flat spell, but don’t expect perfection.

Looking Further Ahead

Into the first week of August, the swell size starts to pick up. By Saturday the 1st of August, we’re seeing 7ft of SW groundswell with a 16-second period in the afternoon (combined energy of 2623). The wind is a moderate offshore from the NNW, so the shape could be there. However, at that size, this spot is definitely one for the experienced crew only. It’s a powerful reef setup, and that’s a solid amount of water moving.

The 2nd of August (Sunday) sees similar size, but the wind looks gnarly, swinging onshore from the SSW with a strong breeze. That’s going to be a mess – probably more interesting for kites than paddle boards that day.

So to sum it up: be patient. The first week is pretty ordinary. Your best bet is that Tuesday the 28th. After that, the swell gets big, so keep your wits about you. Stay stoked.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
2
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
15
1.1
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
0.9
SW
12
0.6
SSW
14
1.3
SW
12
1.7
SSW
14
1.7
SW
15
1.9
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
15
1.5
SSW
15
1.4
SW
15
1.3
SSW
14
1.1
SSW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1
SW
12
0.9
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
370
535
787
437
346
209
121
520
1095
1261
1571
1423
1014
869
672
427
486
449
330
278
195
Wind (km/h)
20
NNW
15
NNW
10
N
15
NNW
15
WNW
20
WNW
25
SW
25
WSW
30
SSW
30
SSW
20
SSW
15
SSW
25
WSW
25
WSW
20
WSW
25
WSW
30
WSW
25
WSW
25
SW
25
SW
15
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
4:53PM0.77m
6:08AM0.75m
4:58PM0.66m
6:59AM0.76m
4:25PM0.58m
8:11AM0.76m
10:19AM0.78m
11:59AM0.84m
12:49PM0.90m
Low Tide
10:59AM0.36m
11:28PM0.20m
11:50AM0.45m
11:38PM0.21m
1:03PM0.53m
11:42PM0.22m
11:35PM0.23m
11:03PM0.24m
10:07PM0.23m
9:39PM0.22m
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:35
 mm
2
2
1
1
2
Temp °C
14
15
15
15
15
15
13
13
12
11
12
12
12
12
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
Feels °C
10
12
12
12
12
12
8
7
5
4
5
8
6
6
9
9
8
9
10
9
12
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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