Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down what’s happening at Rhino Head. This is a sheltered reef break, built for beginners, and it fires fairly consistently on a SW swell. Water temp is sitting right around 59°F — about normal for the season.

Right now, there’s some decent juice in the water but conditions are ugly. Friday afternoon the 4th has a 6ft SW swell with a long 16-second period, combined wave energy at 1799 (moderate). But the wind is a cross-shore breeze from the NNE at 12 mph, kicking up a bit of chop. Marginal at best. With that long period, you’ll get clean lines but long waits. Not worth it.

Saturday the 5th is no good. Morning winds are howling from the west at 31 mph with a 10ft short-period SW swell — too big for beginners and blown out. Afternoon settles a bit to a strong breeze at 28 mph from the WSW, swell dropping to 8ft with a 12-second period. Still messy and cross-off. Skip it.

Sunday the 6th is the first real opportunity. Morning has a nice 6ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period, combined energy at 1319, and a gentle cross-off wind from the WSW at 9 mph — clean. That’s a standout: chest-to-head-high sets, clean faces, and the reef will handle that long period swell. Afternoon holds up too: 5ft SW, 14-second period, 911 energy, still clean. Good day to be out.

Monday the 7th the wind flips onshore from the ESE, swell drops to 3ft. Poor conditions. Tuesday the 8th morning is better: 5ft SSW with a very long 17-second period, energy at 1355, but a light cross-onshore — still a bit bumpy. The afternoon Tuesday is a gem: 5ft SSW, 16-second period, 1214 energy, and glassy offshore from the SW at 9 mph. Clean and buttery, good shape. Worth a session.

Then comes a long dry spell. From Wednesday the 9th through to Monday the 14th, the wind is mostly onshore and strong, and swell quality tanks. Even when there’s swell around 5ft to 7ft, the wind ruins it — fresh cross-onshore, lumpy, or unknown. Not worth it.

Tuesday the 15th afternoon sees a quick spike: 5ft WSW, 16-second period, 1343 energy, but wind is onshore from the SE at 16 mph. Poor. Wednesday the 16th is similar. Thursday the 17th is flat and onshore.

Then Friday the 18th afternoon gets interesting. Morning has a 10ft WSW short-period swell — 8 seconds, messy. But by afternoon, everything locks in: 10ft SW, 13-second period, and the wind goes glassy from the east at just 3 mph. Combined energy is a massive 3409 — that’s strong, heavy surf. This is the best of the whole outlook, but it’s 10ft… expert territory only. For experienced surfers, Rhino Head will be firing with clean, powerful lines. That’s a standout.

Saturday the 19th still has leftovers — 5ft SW in the morning, 8ft SW in the afternoon with a 17-second period and 2981 energy. Winds are cross-off to cross-shore, clean but with some chop. Still good, but second-tier compared to Friday.

So bottom line: Sunday the 6th for manageable, clean waves, and Friday the 18th afternoon for a proper heavy session. The rest is mostly a washout due to wind. Beginners, hit the 6th. Experts, mark the 18th.

Rusty

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