
Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,081 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m 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 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
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 line for Rhino Head. This spot is a sheltered reef break, so it doesn't need a huge ocean to get going, but the next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag. We've got a few days of limp, weak surf to start, then a real pulse of energy later on that's worth waiting for.
The water temp is sitting at 60°F right now, which is bang on average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real window of interest kicks off on Wednesday the 15th in the morning. We’ve got a 5-foot swell from the SSW with a 15-second period (that’s groundswell, long gaps between sets), and the combined energy is strong at 1001. The wind is a light 6 mph cross-off from the north, which will keep the surface clean. That’s a solid, clean wave for a beginner-friendly reef. The afternoon cleans up even more as the wind goes offshore from the NW, still light, with a 5-foot SW swell. This is the best of the early period.
Thursday the 16th afternoon is another standout. The swell hangs around 5-foot from the SSW, but the period bumps up to 16 seconds and the energy jumps to 1081. The wind is near-glass at 3 mph from the NNW, cross-off. It’s going to be clean and lined up. A real treat if you can get out.
After that, the surf starts to fade. From Friday the 18th through to Tuesday the 22nd, the swell drops below 3 feet and the energy plummets. The wind also picks up to 12 mph from the north, making it choppy and messy. Not worth paddling out for.
Then, things get interesting again. On Thursday the 23rd in the afternoon, we see a jump to 7 feet from the SW with a 16-second period. The combined energy is massive at 2349. Wind is a moderate 12 mph cross-off from the WSW. That’s a lot of power—this is getting into expert territory. It’s a big, clean groundswell hitting a sheltered reef, so it’ll be plenty powerful.
Friday the 24th is the real standout of the whole run. The morning is a bit of a shame with a cross-on wind, but the afternoon is the money window. The swell drops slightly to 6 feet from the SSW, still a 16-second period, with energy at 1787. The wind goes light, 3 mph from the WSW, cross-off. That’s about as good as it gets for this break—smooth, powerful, and clean. If you can only pick one session, make it the afternoon of the 24th. Keep in mind, that’s a solid swell size, so it’s not one for beginners.
After that, it fades again. The rest of the month sees small, weak swell and fresh winds, nothing to get excited about.
So, to sum it up: the first few days have some clean, fun waves, but the real standout is the afternoon of Friday the 24th of July at Rhino Head. Clean, powerful, and long-period groundswell. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1001 | 857 | 711 | 807 | 1081 | 801 | 843 | 720 | 412 | 308 | 208 | 166 | 97 | 252 | 498 | 435 | 536 | 457 | 431 | 357 | 240 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 2:32PM1.22m | 2:54AM0.45m | 3:09PM1.19m | 3:30AM0.53m | 3:42PM1.12m | 4:06AM0.61m | 4:11PM1.02m | 4:45AM0.67m | 4:36PM0.90m | 5:25AM0.72m | 4:53PM0.77m | 6:08AM0.75m | 4:58PM0.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:00PM0.16m | 7:50AM0.15m | 10:20PM0.16m | 8:40AM0.16m | 10:39PM0.17m | 9:28AM0.20m | 10:57PM0.18m | 10:13AM0.27m | 11:14PM0.19m | 10:59AM0.36m | 11:28PM0.20m | 11:50AM0.45m | 11:38PM0.21m | ||||||||
7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
1001 | 857 | 711 | 807 | 1081 | 801 | 843 | 720 | 412 | 308 | 208 | 166 | 92 | 252 | 498 | 435 | 536 | 457 | 431 | 357 | 240 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 22 | SW 20 | SW 12 | WSW 7 | — | WNW 6 | W 5 | — | — | SSW 15 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 97 | 51 | 10 | — | 66 | 8 | — | — | 22 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 21 | ENE 3 | WSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | NW 6 | N 4 | — | N 3 | NNW 4 | N 3 | NW 4 | W 5 | — | — | — | N 3 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 15 | 1 | — | 3 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 16 | — | — | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 83 | 83 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 0 |
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.










