Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

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