Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 31 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
14.9° C
0.1° 

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 31 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 2,339 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 20s. 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 2.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Fri 31st Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 4th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sun 2nd Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s talk about what Rhino Head is serving up. Honestly, the first few days are a bit of a bummer. Friday the 31st, you’ve got a tiny 3ft SSW swell with a 13-second period, but the conditions are just… blah. Cross-off breeze, low energy (259), and not worth your time. Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd stay rough. The swell bumps to 4ft to 5ft, but with 25 km/h to 35 km/h winds, it’s just a mess (energy hits 769 to 1151). Sunday is a total write-off.

Monday the 3rd brings some size — 6ft SW — but it’s paired with 30 km/h SW winds, making it lumpy and raw (energy 1878). Not your day. But Tuesday the 4th starts to turn. Winds drop to a light 10 km/h, still cross-off, and you’ve got a clean 4ft SW swell with a 12-second period. Energy is moderate at 403. It’s surfable and beginner-friendly, with the reef being sheltered and fairly consistent. Crowds are “sometimes,” so you might get some peace.

Wednesday the 5th slips back, but Thursday the 6th afternoon is a real highlight. The wind goes glassy — 5 km/h from the northwest — and that 4ft SW groundswell (16-second period) cleans right up. Combined energy is strong at 1036. For a sheltered reef, this is about as good as it gets for a beginner session. That’s one of the best calls in the whole run.

Friday the 7th gets blown out again, but then Saturday the 8th morning is a standout. You’ve got 6ft of WSW swell with a shorter 10-second period, but the wind is 20 km/h offshore from the WNW, and the energy is a meaty 1149. The break is clean, offshore, and that size is solid intermediate territory. Saturday afternoon pushes to 7ft SW with a 14-second period and light winds, but that’s getting into expert-only waters.

Sunday the 9th is a no-go: 12ft SW swell with 50 km/h winds. Combined energy is a massive 5186, but it’s unsurfable. Monday the 10th is still big — 8ft SW (energy 3996) — with strong offshore winds that make paddling out a chore. Experts only.

The rest of the second week fades. Tuesday the 11th through Wednesday the 12th is all blown out. Thursday the 13th has some size again — 8ft SW (energy 3600) — but the fresh breeze from the SW keeps it rough. Friday the 14th is similar, and by Saturday the 15th, we’re back to 6ft SW with moderate winds — just okay.

The standout sessions are Thursday the 6th afternoon — glassy, waist-to-chest high SW groundswell, perfect for beginners and intermediates — and Saturday the 8th morning, with clean offshore wind and solid chest-to-head high WSW swell for those with a bit more experience. Water temp is about 59°, which is normal for this time of year, so grab a thick wetsuit.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Fri morning, strong winds from the W by Sun afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
1
2
1
0
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
0
2
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SSW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SSW
18
1.1
SSW
18
1.4
SSW
17
1.4
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
15
1.9
SW
16
2
WSW
14
1.6
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
0.9
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
21
0.7
SW
19
0.8
SSW
18
1.1
SW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
215
183
276
751
1055
1005
657
592
1855
1647
1049
632
364
362
286
376
399
610
700
917
1133
Wind (km/h)
10
NNE
10
N
15
NE
25
N
25
N
25
N
35
NNW
35
WNW
35
WSW
25
SW
25
SW
15
SSW
5
SW
5
WSW
15
NE
15
NNE
15
N
10
NE
15
NE
15
NNE
20
NE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
3:07PM1.04m
3:30AM0.57m
3:28PM1.00m
3:52AM0.63m
3:48PM0.94m
4:17AM0.69m
4:06PM0.85m
4:45AM0.76m
4:21PM0.75m
5:18AM0.80m
4:29PM0.65m
5:59AM0.83m
4:19PM0.55m
Low Tide
10:04PM0.16m
8:44AM0.20m
10:14PM0.15m
9:18AM0.21m
10:24PM0.15m
9:54AM0.23m
10:33PM0.15m
10:33AM0.28m
10:42PM0.14m
11:17AM0.35m
10:51PM0.12m
12:14PM0.44m
11:00PM0.11m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:39
5:40
5:42
5:43
 mm
1
4
Temp °C
14
13
12
13
13
13
12
13
13
12
12
12
12
12
11
13
13
13
15
15
15
Feels °C
10
9
8
7
7
7
4
4
5
5
5
7
9
9
8
9
10
10
11
11
11
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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