
Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 19s period, SSW swell with 3,001 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rhino Head in the next 16 days are 2.1m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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+) | 3PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s in store.
First solid surf ain’t ’til Sunday afternoon the 13th. Before that, it’s a long stretch of junk – onshore breezes and lumpy water, not worth wettin’ a wetsuit.
On Sunday the 13th afternoon, we get 3ft from the SSW at a 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell. Wind’s offshore from the WNW at 6 mph, makin’ it glassy clean. Only a beginner reef (Rhino Head) but the water’s 59.5°, which is normal for this time of year. Small but clean with moderate energy.
The big one? Monday the 18th afternoon. Swell hits 6ft from the SW, 14-second period, light offshore WSW wind at 6 mph. Clean, lined-up, and solid. Wave energy’s solid moderate. Crowds are *sometimes*, but a Monday might thin ’em out.
Then Saturday the 19th afternoon: another 6ft from the SSW at 15 seconds, with a clean offshore NW breeze at 12 mph. That’s a winner – moderate energy, clean face.
Sunday the 20th morning pushes 8ft from the SW at 13 seconds with strong offshore west wind at 12 mph. Strong intermediate territory – clean, powerful, but anything over 8ft is expert-only here.
Monday the 21st morning hits 10ft from the SSW at 19 seconds – a huge long-period groundswell. Energy’s very strong. Wind’s cross-shore though, so it’ll be messy for experts. Afternoon cleans up slightly.
After the 22nd, swell stays big but winds turn onshore and choppy. The 23rd morning has a clean 7ft swell from the SSW with cross-off north wind – that’s a decent late option.
Takeaway: Sunday the 13th afternoon for a small clean score, but the real standouts are Monday the 18th afternoon and Saturday the 19th afternoon. Get on ’em.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Tue night, light winds from the ENE by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1214 | 1155 | 3001 | 2894 | 2263 | 1713 | 1273 | 740 | 584 | 881 | 788 | 780 | 523 | 381 | 452 | 436 | 314 | 160 | 158 | 290 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:08AM0.36m | 1:12PM0.89m | 1:56AM0.47m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:31PM0.11m | 6:00AM0.26m | 8:23PM0.10m | 7:02AM0.17m | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 |
1214 | 1155 | 3001 | 2894 | 2263 | 1713 | 1273 | 740 | 584 | 881 | 788 | 780 | 523 | 381 | 452 | 436 | 314 | 160 | 158 | 290 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 26 | SW 26 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | NE 4 | — | WNW 5 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | 203 | 1 | — | 15 | 36 | 81 | 206 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 67 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | E 3 | — | NE 3 | N 3 | NNE 3 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SSE 4 |
— | 21 | 82 | 68 | 40 | 30 | 13 | 15 | 4 | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 541 | 30 | 1195 | 1829 | 28 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 83 | 369 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 733 | 11 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










