
Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,252 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 24s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rhino Head in the next 16 days are 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty comin' at ya from the beach.
So, lookin' at the charts for Rhino Head, and honestly, the next week plus is a real mixed bag. We've got some serious energy on the way, but the wind and conditions are gonna be the main story here, making it a bit of a struggle to find that perfect window. The first few days are a write-off for a decent paddle, but hang in there, because there is a glimmer of hope later on.
Monday the 27th is a no-go. There's a 3 ft to 4 ft SW swell with a 13-second period, but that 18-to-25 mph NNW wind is just tearin' it up. The water's sittin' at 59°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, but you wouldn't wanna be out there in that breeze anyway.
Tuesday the 28th gets a bit more interesting size-wise but not quality. The swell builds to 7 ft from the SW with a lovely 15-second period, and the combined energy is moderate (1976-2278). But that WSW and SW wind at 22 mph is a cross-offshore, which is better than onshore, but still raw. It's one of those days where the ocean looks mean, and unless you're a glutton for punishment, you're better off watchin'.
Wednesday the 29th is still a bit of a mess, but it's the best of a bad bunch early on. The swell drops a touch to 7 ft from the SSW, but the real story is the wind turning to a lighter 9-12 mph cross-shore. The period hits 16 seconds, which is a classic groundswell, and the energy is strong (2712). It's still a bit lumpy with a cross-chop, so it's not gonna be a day for the groms. This size (7 ft) is pushin' into expert territory, and the cross-shore wind will make it tricky. The setup here at Rhino Head is a sheltered reef, so that long-period groundswell should wrap in pretty good.
Thursday the 30th through to the end of the first week is pretty grim. Swell drops right off to 2 ft to 4 ft, and the wind is all over the shop. Friday the 31st afternoon is the only glimmer with a glassy 2 ft SSW swell and a 13-second period, but that's just not enough to get excited about.
Then we get to the second week, and the models are throwin' up some serious numbers. Saturday, August 3rd, we see a 6 ft SW swell with a 14-second period and combined energy of 1291 in the morning. The wind is a nice 12 mph cross-offshore, which is a big positive. It's still marginal, but that's the first real chance for a clean-ish wave.
But the real standout is lookin' like Sunday, August 11th. We're talkin' a massive 12 ft SW swell with a 16-second period. The combined energy is through the roof at 6285, which is strong. The wind is a moderate 15 mph cross-offshore out of the SW. Now, this is big. 12 ft is expert-only territory at a reef. The wind is clean, but the power in those sets will be immense. It's a long-range call, so you keep an eye on it, but if it lines up, Rhino Head is gonna be a proper heavy session. The long period means it'll be a bit walled up at the beach, but on a reef like this, it should hold some shape.
So, for the best bet, I'm pointing you to that Sunday, August 11th. It's a monster, so bring your biggest stick, your wits, and maybe a bit of courage. But for a more manageable surf, that Saturday, August 3rd morning is your best early window for a clean-ish wave on a decent 6 ft swell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Mon afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the N by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
299 | 380 | 943 | 1976 | 2278 | 2715 | 2359 | 1409 | 754 | 465 | 394 | 299 | 170 | 156 | 211 | 432 | 1366 | 1573 | 2326 | 1456 | 1994 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross |
High Tide | 1:24PM0.96m | 2:45AM0.37m | 1:54PM1.01m | 2:43AM0.41m | 2:20PM1.04m | 2:54AM0.45m | 2:44PM1.05m | 3:10AM0.51m | 3:07PM1.04m | 3:30AM0.57m | 3:28PM1.00m | 3:52AM0.63m | 3:48PM0.94m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:34PM0.20m | 6:03AM0.32m | 9:37PM0.19m | 6:55AM0.27m | 9:44PM0.17m | 7:35AM0.24m | 9:54PM0.16m | 8:10AM0.21m | 10:04PM0.16m | 8:44AM0.20m | 10:14PM0.15m | 9:18AM0.21m | 10:24PM0.15m | ||||||||
7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
— | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 11 | — | — | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 |
299 | 380 | 320 | — | — | 206 | 2359 | 1409 | 754 | 465 | 394 | 299 | 170 | 156 | 154 | 432 | 1366 | 1573 | 211 | 407 | 1994 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 14 | W 8 | W 7 | S 10 | S 23 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SW 21 | — | W 7 | NE 5 | — | — |
68 | 28 | — | — | — | — | 353 | 251 | 43 | 27 | 2 | 10 | 44 | 149 | 211 | 117 | — | 66 | 4 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 23 | S 9 | — | — | ENE 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
28 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | NW 5 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 2 | — | ENE 3 | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | SW 16 | SW 16 | — |
14 | 45 | 943 | 1976 | 2278 | 2715 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 8 | 16 | 13 | 2326 | 1456 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 154 | 468 | 720 | 1033 | 1189 | 1182 | 1233 | 30 | 28 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 83 | 7 | 83 | 157 | 640 | 30 |
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.










