Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 am 09 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
15.3° C
0.2° 

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 9 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with 3,119 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 18s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s is also forecast. 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 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Thu 9th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Best Surf12PM (Thu 9th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Most Powerful 9AM (Tue 14th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 17s

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


Right, let’s have a look at what’s brewing for Rhino Head. This is a sheltered reef setup, so it needs a solid push of swell from the south-west to get going, and it’s a beginner-friendly wave when it’s small. The water temp is sitting around 59.5°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year – nothing unusual there.

The first few days are a bit of a tease. Thursday morning kicks off with a 3.3ft SSW swell but the wind is a light cross, and the energy is moderate (578). It’s not bad, but it's not calling you out of bed. Thursday afternoon cleans up nicely with a light cross-off breeze and a 3.0ft SSW swell, and the energy climbs a bit (785). That’s the first proper window, but it’s small.

Friday morning pushes up to 4.3ft from the SW with a moderate cross-off, giving clean conditions and decent energy (773). The swell is from a good direction, but the wind is a little fresh. Friday afternoon holds a similar 3.6ft SW swell, though the wind picks up a bit – still clean, but the energy drops a touch (566).

Then Saturday and Sunday get a bit wild. Saturday throws up a 7.2ft to 8.2ft WSW/SW swell, but the wind is howling at 28 mph, and the period drops to 8 seconds on the morning – that’s short-period, wind-affected slop. The energy is high (826 and 1296), but with that much wind and short period, it’s a mess. By Sunday, the swell stays sizeable (7.9ft to 7.2ft) with a longer period (13 seconds) and the wind is fresh to strong from the west, going offshore on the afternoon. That Sunday afternoon session has a solid 7.2ft SW swell, good direction, and clean offshore wind, but the combined energy is massive (2777). This is serious power – too big for beginners, and even for intermediates it’s going to be a handful. The period is 13 seconds, which is proper groundswell, but at a beach-break-type reef, it might be a bit too straight. For expert paddlers, it’s a test.

Monday and Tuesday keep the big swell going. Monday morning has a 7.5ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period, and strong offshore wind (25 mph). The energy is huge (2636), but that wind is so strong it’s going to be hard to paddle into. Monday afternoon improves with a lighter cross-off and 6.6ft SW swell. Tuesday is the real standout: Tuesday morning brings a 7.5ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, and the wind is a moderate cross-off from the SW – that’s clean, and the energy is massive (3288). This is the best combination of size, direction, and clean conditions. Tuesday afternoon holds a 6.9ft SSW swell with a gentle cross-off, and the energy is still huge (2347). The swell direction (SSW) is spot-on for Rhino Head’s optimum SW direction. This is a top-tier window for experienced surfers.

Wednesday through Friday of the next week drop off in quality. Wednesday morning has a 5.6ft SSW swell but the wind turns cross-on, and the energy drops to 1255. It’s not great. By Thursday, it’s down to 3.3ft and 3.0ft with poor wind conditions. Friday brings a 3.9ft SSW swell with a light cross-off in the afternoon, giving a clean but small option.

The second week has a couple of blips. Saturday the 18th has a 5.2ft SW swell with a moderate cross-off and decent energy (1194), but it’s not a standout. Sunday the 19th is messy until the afternoon, when a 5.9ft SW swell with a very long 20-second period appears, and the energy rockets to 3210. That’s a massive groundswell, but the wind is fresh cross-off, and the period is so long it might be tricky on the reef.

Monday the 20th is the last true highlight. The morning has a 5.9ft SSW swell with a gentle cross, but the afternoon is the one: 5.6ft SSW swell, light offshore from the NW, and clean. The energy is solid (1388), and the wind is gentle offshore – that’s about as good as it gets for a smaller, clean session.

Then things taper off. Wednesday the 22nd has a glassy morning with a 4.3ft SSW swell and a 16-second period – that’s a beautiful, clean, small groundswell. The energy is moderate (859). It’s a nice little window for a longboard or a fun board.

The very end of the outlook, on Thursday the 24th, shows a 9.8ft SW swell with a 14-second period and moderate cross

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu afternoon, strong winds from the WSW by Sat morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Mon morning, light winds from the SE by Tue night).

Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
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
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
3
3
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
18
1.4
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
1
SW
15
2.2
WSW
8
2.5
SW
10
2.3
SW
12
2.4
SW
13
2.2
SW
13
2.3
WSW
15
2.3
SW
16
2
SW
14
2
SSW
18
2.3
SSW
17
2.1
SSW
16
1.9
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
15
1.4
SW
15
1.2
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
443
486
906
773
566
418
692
1296
1494
2042
1708
2261
2412
1602
2462
3119
2347
1721
1255
905
614
Wind (km/h)
10
NNE
10
NNW
15
NNE
20
NNW
25
NNW
30
NW
45
W
45
WSW
35
W
30
W
35
W
35
W
40
W
30
W
25
WSW
25
SW
15
SW
10
ESE
10
NE
15
E
10
ENE
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
9:43AM0.87m
11:10AM0.97m
12:14PM1.07m
1:22AM0.26m
1:06PM1.16m
1:50AM0.30m
1:51PM1.21m
2:20AM0.37m
2:32PM1.22m
2:54AM0.45m
Low Tide
00:21AM0.23m
00:38AM0.23m
1:01AM0.23m
9:31PM0.21m
3:57AM0.24m
9:29PM0.18m
5:42AM0.21m
9:42PM0.16m
6:52AM0.17m
10:00PM0.16m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:28
7:28
7:28
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:23
5:23
5:24
5:24
5:25
5:27
5:27
 mm
3
3
5
1
Temp °C
15
15
14
14
14
14
14
13
14
15
14
14
15
15
14
14
14
13
13
12
11
Feels °C
13
13
11
9
9
9
5
3
6
9
8
8
8
9
9
8
10
11
11
9
8
  • 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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