Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s look at what’s in store.

We’ve got a bit of a waiting game on our hands. The first good session doesn’t show up until Wednesday morning, the 2nd of September. For the next couple of days before that, it’s pretty flat or junk, so don’t bother paddling out just yet.

Wednesday 2nd September is when it kicks off. Rhino Head (sheltered spot) will have a clean 5ft SSW swell, with a long 16-second period. The wind is offshore out of the west at 12 mph, and combined wave energy is moderate at 937. The water temp is about average for this time of year. This one feels good – clean lines, not too crowded, and perfect for a beginner-friendly reef break.

Thursday 3rd September the swell bumps up a bit to 7-7ft, still from the SW and a solid 14-second period. Winds are cross-offshore, so it stays clean, though the combined energy jumps into the moderate-strong range (1652-1736). The quality is still there, but this is starting to get a bit sizeable for a total beginner.

Friday 4th September morning continues the trend: 7ft SSW groundswell, 16-second period, cross-offshore wind out of the north at 9 mph. The energy is strong now (2123). The afternoon, however, gets blown out by a 25 mph NNW wind – that’s a definite no-go.

Saturday 5th September has some grunt: 8ft SW swell with 14-15 seconds, but the wind is cross-offshore and fresh to moderate. The combined energy is very strong (3327-3458). This is getting into expert-only territory. If you’re a strong paddler, there could be some big, clean walls, but it’s not for the faint of heart.

Sunday 6th September morning is crossed-up and average. The real standout on this day is the Sunday afternoon session: glassy conditions with a light 4ft SW swell (14-second period) and the wind goes glassy out of the north at 3 mph. Combined energy is moderate (661). That’s a rare, clean window – perfect for a longboard or a fun shortboard session.

After that, from Monday 7th through to Tuesday 15th September, it’s a long stretch of poor to marginal conditions. Strong onshore winds, big lumpy swell, and cross-onshore chop make it mostly unsurfable for paddle surfing. There’s an 8ft+ swell with strong winds on the 8th and 9th that might appeal to kitesurfers, but for us, it’s a write-off.

The very end of the run, Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th September, shows some promise. On the 16th morning, it’s glassy again with a clean 4ft SSW swell and long 16-second period. Then Thursday 17th September morning looks like the best of the whole forecast: glassy winds, 6ft SSW swell with a very long 18-second period, and combined energy is strong (1856). That’s a groundswell with serious power and shape – expect clean, lined-up sets at Rhino Head. This is a standout, but it’s almost two weeks out, so keep an eye on it – forecasts can change.

So, to sum it up: the first week has a few clean windows (Wednesday 2nd, Thursday 3rd, Sunday afternoon 6th), then a long gap of junk, and a potential gem on Thursday 17th September if it holds.

Rusty signing off.

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