
Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,654 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 16s period. 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 1.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, you mob, Rusty here. We've got a bit of a slow start, but the second week is looking like a real treat. Let's break it down.
First off, the water at Rhino Head is sitting at a normal 59°F for this time of year, so nothing weird there.
The first few days are a write-off. We've got a moderate cross-shore chop on Thursday morning the 23rd with a 6ft SSW swell, but it's a messy 1244 combined energy and the wind is all wrong. Thursday afternoon and Friday are a bit cleaner but the surf is marginal. Honestly, don't hold your breath until Saturday morning the 25th. Even then, it's a small 4ft SW swell (561 energy) with clean conditions, but it's only just surfable. Saturday afternoon drops off, and Sunday the 26th is small and ordinary. We then hit a proper gap from Monday the 27th through to Friday the 31st of July. The wind is howling, or it's onshore, and the conditions are just poor. The combined energy spikes up to 2558 on the 29th with a 7ft SSW swell, but with a fresh cross-shore wind and lumpy chop, it's a washout. Save your energy.
Now, here's where it gets good. The standout is Saturday, the 1st of August. We get a pulse of very long-period groundswell out of the SW. The morning is glassy with a tiny 2ft wave, but the energy is already building at 742. The real story is Saturday afternoon: glassy conditions, a 5ft SSW swell with a 19-second period, and a massive 1632 combined energy. This is a proper clean swell. For a reef break that's sheltered and fairly consistent, this is the pick of the window. The long period will make it powerful and clean, perfect for a beginner-friendly spot like Rhino Head. The crowds are "sometimes" here, so you might see a few others out, but it's worth it.
Sunday the 2nd keeps it going with a 4ft SW swell, 16-second period, and gentle offshore wind in the afternoon – another very good session. Then Monday the 3rd of August is the next big one. The morning has a 6ft SW swell (1717 energy) with a light offshore breeze, making for clean, punchy waves. It's still solid for the more experienced, but the quality is there.
After that, the run fades. Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th are a step down with marginal conditions. Thursday the 6th of August has a massive 8ft SSW swell (6034 energy) in the morning, but it's got a cross-shore ripple. The afternoon cleans right up with a 7ft SSW swell (3324 energy) and offshore wind, but that size is for experts only. By Friday the 7th, the wind is back up and it's all over.
So, to wrap it up: it's a slow start, but the first weekend of August is your window. The absolute best is Saturday the 1st of August afternoon, with Sunday the 3rd as a close second. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the NW by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | W 10 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1244 | 1571 | 1460 | 1069 | 857 | 581 | 269 | 369 | 319 | 264 | 220 | 192 | 386 | 330 | 373 | 696 | 1654 | 1340 | 1080 | 721 | 458 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 10:19AM0.78m | 11:59AM0.84m | 12:49PM0.90m | 1:24PM0.96m | 2:45AM0.37m | 1:54PM1.01m | 2:43AM0.41m | 2:20PM1.04m | 2:54AM0.45m | ||||||||||||
Low Tide | 11:35PM0.23m | 11:03PM0.24m | 10:07PM0.23m | 9:39PM0.22m | 9:34PM0.20m | 6:03AM0.32m | 9:37PM0.19m | 6:55AM0.27m | 9:44PM0.17m | ||||||||||||
7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 16 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 |
1212 | 411 | 1460 | 1069 | 857 | 581 | 269 | 369 | 319 | 264 | 220 | 192 | 386 | 330 | 373 | 220 | 228 | 1340 | 1080 | 721 | 458 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | WSW 4 | SSW 13 | — | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 22 | SW 20 | SSW 19 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 65 | 10 | 25 | 54 | 86 | 5 | 113 | — | 48 | 81 | 126 | 45 | 98 | 37 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | S 18 | — | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 6 | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 60 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | — | — | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | W 6 | WSW 5 | — | WSW 6 | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | W 10 | SW 16 | SSW 4 | — | SE 3 | ESE 3 |
1244 | 1571 | — | — | 11 | 17 | 42 | 37 | 22 | — | 20 | — | 3 | 7 | 19 | 696 | 1654 | 29 | — | 1 | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 740 | 28 | 30 | 510 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 154 | 721 | 155 | 1180 | 721 | 937 | 967 | 30 | 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.










