Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 30 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
15.1°C
0.6° 

Rhino Head surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Rhino Head surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 15s period, SW swell with 2,491 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 18s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 18s. 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 2.4m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Mon 31st Aug)5ft (1.5m) 18s
Best Surf 3PM (Mon 31st Aug)5ft (1.5m) 18s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sat 5th Sep)8ft (2.4m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the Rhino Head region.

The forecast period starts with a bit of a slow burn, but there's a solid run of swell building in the middle of the first week, and then the real fireworks are set to kick off as we head into the second week.

We're kicking off on Monday, the 31st of August. The morning is a bit average with a cross-shore breeze and a 4ft SSW swell, but the energy is already moderate at 1230. The afternoon cleans up though, with a light cross-off breeze and a 5ft SSW swell rolling in with a super long 18-second period. That's proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy jumps to 1551. This is a nice start, Rhino Head is a reef, so it should handle that long period well.

Tuesday, the 1st of September, is a write-off with a howling 25 mph nor'ly wind in the morning. Wednesday, the 2nd, shows some promise with a 4ft SSW swell and a sweet offshore W'ly wind in the morning. It's clean, but the energy is only moderate at 616.

Now, Thursday the 3rd is where it starts to get interesting. The morning swell pushes up to 7ft from the WSW, with a solid 14-second period and a very strong combined energy of 3376. The wind is cross-off, so it's clean. The afternoon is even better, with a 7ft SW swell, offshore W'ly wind, and a combined energy of 1515. This is a standout window for the first week.

Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are a bit of a mixed bag. The swell stays solid, around 6ft to 8ft, and the energy is very strong, but the winds are strong and gusty, making conditions tricky. You'll find some clean waves in there, but you'll have to work for them.

There's a small lull on Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th, with the swell dropping off and the energy becoming weak. Not much to write home about.

But then, hold onto your board. The second week lights up. On Tuesday the 8th, the swell jumps back to 7ft from the SW, with a very long 18-second period and a massive combined energy of 4161. The wind is cross-off, so it's clean. This is a big, powerful groundswell.

Wednesday the 9th is the real standout. The morning is a bit messy with a cross-on wind, but the afternoon is absolute glass. The swell is 7ft from the SSW, with a very long 18-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 3208. The wind is glassy, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the one you want to circle on the calendar. The 8ft swell is pushing into expert territory, so this is not for the faint of heart.

Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th keep the quality high with clean, cross-off winds and solid 6ft to 7ft SW swells. The energy remains strong. Saturday the 12th is a bit of a drop-off, but then Sunday the 13th glassy afternoon with a 8ft SW swell and a combined energy of 3259 is another cracker for experienced surfers.

The run continues into Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th of September, with excellent conditions and 7ft to 8ft SW swells. The energy is very strong, well over 2000, and the winds are clean. This is a serious run of swell for the region.

So, my pick of the period? It's hands down the afternoon of Wednesday the 9th of September. Glassy conditions, a 7ft SSW groundswell with a very long period, and massive energy. That's a session you'll be telling stories about. For a more manageable but still epic option, the afternoon of Thursday the 10th with glassy conditions and a 6ft SW swell is also a pristine choice.

This is Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon night, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Mon morning, strong winds from the N by Tue morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu night, near gales from the W by Fri night).

Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
3
1
0
1
1
2
1
2
3
3
2
1
0
0
1
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SSW
17
1.3
SSW
16
1.5
SSW
18
1.4
SSW
16
1.1
SW
16
0.8
SSW
14
1.1
SW
15
1.2
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
14
2
SW
14
2.2
WSW
14
2
SW
14
2
SSW
15
1.9
SSW
15
1.9
SW
15
2.3
SW
15
2.3
SW
14
2.2
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
911
749
1399
957
551
268
530
616
672
1558
1849
1515
1809
1550
1506
2422
2114
2010
1249
Wind (km/h)
15
E
15
NE
10
N
20
NNE
40
N
35
WNW
25
SW
20
W
30
WNW
30
WNW
20
WSW
20
W
20
NNW
35
N
40
N
55
W
40
WSW
25
WSW
10
NW
Wind State
on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
3:22AM0.78m
3:23PM0.77m
3:46AM0.86m
3:39PM0.69m
4:12AM0.91m
3:51PM0.59m
4:43AM0.92m
3:53PM0.51m
5:20AM0.90m
3:32PM0.45m
6:08AM0.84m
Low Tide
9:24AM0.09m
9:27PM0.05m
9:57AM0.12m
9:37PM0.04m
10:33AM0.18m
9:47PM0.02m
11:12AM0.26m
9:58PM0.00m
12:03PM0.37m
10:08PM0.00m
10:11PM0.02m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:02
6:02
6:04
6:05
 mm
1
3
4
Temp °C
13
16
17
18
17
18
13
13
14
14
15
14
14
15
17
15
12
13
13
Feels °C
10
13
14
14
9
12
9
8
8
8
11
10
13
8
10
6
3
8
11
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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