Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming up at Rhino Head.

Right now, the water temp is sitting at 59°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The next few days are a bit of a write-off. We've got some swell around, but the wind is all over the place and the conditions are just messy. Sunday the 16th might have some energy (moderate at 564), but it's onshore and choppy. Monday and Tuesday don't look any better. The energy is there on Monday afternoon (852), but that cross-onshore wind is killing it.

Wednesday the 19th is frustrating. The wind goes offshore and clean, but the swell drops right out. The wave energy is weak (232 to 345), so you're basically chasing tiny, clean waves. It's going to be a grind.

Things start to get interesting on Thursday the 20th. The morning session has a moderate offshore wind and a cleaner 4ft SW swell. The energy jumps up to a solid 1028, which is moderate. It's still a bit marginal, but it's getting closer. Friday the 21st is where it really starts to fire. The afternoon brings a 6ft SW groundswell with a long 17-second period, clean offshore wind, and energy at 1796. That's a proper standout. That long period means it'll have plenty of push and shape, but it might also have those longer lulls between sets. It's a reef break, so it should handle the long period well.

Saturday the 22nd keeps the run going with a 5ft to 6ft SSW swell and clean conditions. The energy is strong (1125 to 1322). Sunday the 23rd is also looking clean with a solid 5ft SSW swell and energy staying high (1141 to 1268). This whole stretch from Friday afternoon through Sunday is the best on offer.

Then we hit a dry spell. Monday the 24th through Wednesday the 26th sees a drop in swell and some poor, lumpy conditions. The energy drops way down to 130 to 420. It's a quiet patch.

Looking further out, Thursday the 27th shows a bit of a pulse, but it's a short-period WSW windswell, and the wind is cross-onshore. Not great. Friday the 28th has a bigger 7ft SW swell, but again, not clean. By Saturday the 29th, we get a big 10ft SW swell, but it's onshore. The afternoon has an 8ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period, and energy is massive at 4435. That's a huge, powerful groundswell, but the wind is light cross-onshore. For experts only, if it cleans up. It's a long way out, so keep an eye on it.

Then Sunday the 30th looks promising again with a 5ft SW swell, clean offshore wind, and strong energy (1159). That's another one to circle.

So, the clear standout is Friday afternoon the 21st through Sunday the 23rd. If I had to pick one, I'd say Friday afternoon at Rhino Head. That 6ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period and offshore wind is going to be magic. The crowds are listed as "sometimes," so you might have some company, but it's a reef break, so it'll handle the long period well. Get on it.

Rusty.

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