Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 18s period, SW swell with 2,842 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period with SW 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rhino Head in the next 16 days are 2.2m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) 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 1.0m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright surfers, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming down the pipe for the next couple of weeks. It's a bit of a slow builder, but there are some solid waves on the horizon for those willing to wait.
We start off with a bit of a flat spell. Honest truth, the first few days look pretty average, with onshore winds and messy conditions at Rhino Head. Nothing to get excited about for a paddle. That dry spell stretches from now all the way through to mid-week. Hold tight.
The first sign of life creeps in on Thursday, August 20th. Thursday morning the wind swings offshore, light at 6 mph, and that 3 ft swell starts cleaning up. By the afternoon, it's 4 ft from the SW with a gentle offshore breeze. That's the first real window. The combined swell energy is solid at 947 (moderate energy), and being a reef break, it should handle that long 16-second period groundswell nicely. Water temps are about average for this time of year.
Now, for the standout. If you're an experienced surfer, you want to be looking at Saturday, August 22nd. That afternoon, Rhino Head is firing. We're talking 7 ft of SW swell with a very long 18-second period, and clean conditions thanks to a light offshore breeze. The combined energy is pumping at 3223 (strong energy). This is quality, powerful groundswell that will wrap in beautifully. Keep in mind, this size is for competent surfers only – it's going to be a grunty one.
The following week sees a bit of a drop-off into smaller, messy conditions again, but then another big pulse shows up on Friday, August 28th. The morning brings 10 ft SW swell, which is huge and expert-only territory, but the afternoon cleans up nicely to a solid 8 ft with light winds and clean conditions. Another one for the experienced crew.
Overall, it's a slow start, but once it turns on, there are a few proper sessions to be had. The best bet for the average surfer is that Thursday the 20th, but for the big-wave hunters, that Saturday the 22nd is the one to circle. The crowds at Rhino Head can be a problem sometimes, so expect company on the good days.
Stay stoked.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue night, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNE on Tue night, light winds from the W by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 711 | 561 | 553 | 463 | 748 | 729 | 489 | 687 | 458 | 251 | 229 | 255 | 238 | 489 | 783 | 1082 | 1179 | 2537 | 2262 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 3:45AM0.75m | 3:46PM0.86m | 4:14AM0.81m | 4:04PM0.76m | 4:43AM0.83m | 4:16PM0.66m | 5:12AM0.83m | 4:16PM0.57m | 5:43AM0.79m | 3:52PM0.52m | 6:19AM0.74m | 1:59PM0.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:50PM0.09m | 9:36AM0.13m | 10:03PM0.08m | 10:14AM0.18m | 10:15PM0.08m | 10:49AM0.25m | 10:25PM0.09m | 11:23AM0.34m | 10:31PM0.11m | 12:00PM0.43m | 10:32PM0.12m | 1:14PM0.52m | 10:26PM0.13m | ||||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | |  | |  | | |
 | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 711 | 561 | 553 | 463 | 748 | 729 | 489 | 687 | 458 | 251 | 229 | 255 | 238 | 489 | 783 | 1082 | 1179 | 709 | 2262 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 24 | SW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | — | ENE 4 | SSW 21 | WSW 7 | SW 8 | SSW 16 | SW 20 | SW 18 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 22 | 119 | 248 | 106 | 105 | — | 2 | 43 | 44 | 69 | 164 | 241 | 719 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 164 | 107 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | E 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | E 3 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | NNE 4 | N 3 | WNW 5 | WSW 6 | — | — | W 4 | WSW 16 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 15 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 38 | 50 | — | — | 9 | 554 | 62 | 2537 | 2242 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 157 | 9 | 83 | 143 | 157 | 657 | 154 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 721 | 30 |
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.
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