Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break this down in feet and miles per hour for the crew that thinks that way. The story is the same: a rough start, a couple of good windows, and one day that really shines.

We start on Saturday, July 11th, and it’s a mess. The wind is pumping from the WSW at 28 to 31 mph, a strong breeze that’s making a cross-off mess of the waves. The swell is there, 7 ft to 8 ft from the WSW, but it’s short period, around 7 to 10 seconds. The energy numbers are high (603 to 1506), but it’s all wind and chop. Honestly, this is more of a kiteboarding day than a surfing day.

Sunday keeps the pressure on. A fresh breeze out of the west at 22 mph, and the swell picks up period to 12 seconds. The waves are 8 ft from the SW. It’s clean-looking but the wind is still too strong.

Monday, July 13th is where the gear shifts. The wind goes offshore from the west at 22 mph. The swell is a solid 8 ft from the SW, and the period is a very long 16 seconds. The energy is massive at 4122. This is a big, long-period groundswell. That period makes it prone to be a little too straight, but with offshore wind it’ll be clean. That said, 8 ft of that kind of energy is for experienced surfers only.

Tuesday, July 14th is the pick of the first week. The still-long period swell drops to 7 ft to 8 ft from the SSW and SW. The wind is a lighter cross-off, 9 to 16 mph from the SW. The energy is still strong (2617 to 3198), but it’s a more manageable size and the conditions are clean. This is the day to aim for if you can’t wait.

Wednesday, July 15th is a wild card. The swell is down to 5 ft to 5 ft with that same 15-second period. In the afternoon, the wind goes completely glassy. Zero mph. That’s a rare gift. The energy is moderate at 838. If you like small, glassy, long-period waves, be there for the afternoon.

Then we hit a flat spell from Thursday, July 16th to Saturday, July 18th. We’re down to 2 ft to 4 ft, weak swell, energy dropping below 554. Not worth getting wet.

Sunday, July 19th brings a new pulse. Waves 4 ft to 5 ft from the SW, with an insanely long 18 to 19 second period. But the wind is howling from the north-northwest at 25 to 28 mph, offshore. It’s clean but “hard to paddle into.” Energy is moderate-strong at 1188 to 1460. A pretty looking day, but a tough one.

Monday, July 20th is a strong contender. Swell builds back to 7 ft to 8 ft from the WSW and SW. The period drops to 14-16 seconds. Energy is very strong, 2211 to 3408. The wind is a clean cross-off. It’s going to be powerful.

But the best day, without a doubt, is Tuesday, July 21st. The swell is a perfect 6 ft to 6 ft from the SW, with a 12-second period. The combined energy is 1092 to 1422. The wind is offshore and light, 3 to 6 mph from the west and west-southwest. The data says “expect very good surf conditions” and gives it a 3/5 rating. Rhino Head will be clean, lined-up, and fun for everyone who can handle it. That’s your day.

After that, Wednesday, July 22nd and beyond offers a few smaller, cleaner days, but nothing that matches that Tuesday.

So, the call: suffer through the first few days, hit Tuesday July 14th if you’re jonesing, and lock in Tuesday, July 21st as the standout. That’s the day to circle.

Rusty.

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