Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, SW swell with 3,148 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s 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 (Aug 13) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 15s 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 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line here.
Alright mate, it’s Rusty. Gotta be straight with you – the next week and a half at Rhino Head is a bit of a mixed bag, a real rollercoaster. We’ve got some serious energy showing up, but the wind is going to be our nemesis for most of it. The water is sitting at about 59°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
The first few days are a write-off for a good paddle. Tuesday and Wednesday have solid swell – we’re talking a combined energy of 758 and then jumping to a massive 4854 – but that cross-off wind from the NNW and WSW at 19 mph is going to trash the surface. Thursday ain’t much better; the swell is still substantial at 7 ft from the SSW with a 16-second period (good long lines), but that cross-off breeze is still messing with the quality. The energy is still strong at 2007, but it’s a frustrating tease.
Now, Friday the 14th is where it gets interesting. The morning looks like the best bet in the whole run. We’ve got a solid 7 ft of SSW groundswell, a period of 16 seconds, and the wind finally drops to a light 6 mph from the SW, staying cross-off. The combined energy is a meaty 2051. This is the standout window for experienced surfers – the waves will have power, shape, and be clean. For anyone who isn’t an expert, 7 ft is getting up there.
After Friday, it falls apart. From Saturday the 15th through to Thursday the 22nd of August, it’s mostly onshore easterly winds and dropping swell. The conditions turn poor, with onshore breezes and choppy water. There are a few fleeting moments of clean surf here and there, like the afternoon of Sunday the 23rd of August when it goes glassy, but the swell is only 4 ft on a short 12-second period, so it won't have any real punch.
The tail end of the forecast, around Saturday the 22nd of August, shows a pulse of 8 ft swell from the south, but it’s coming with cross-on winds, making it a choppy, messy affair. That kind of size with bad wind is more of a kite-surfing show than a paddle-surfing session.
Bottom line: The one clear standout is Friday morning, August 14th. Get out for a dawny if you can handle a bit of size. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue night, light winds from the W by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 736 | 289 | 2592 | 3052 | 2912 | 2349 | 2007 | 1613 | 1743 | 2051 | 1832 | 1536 | 1415 | 1112 | 720 | 614 | 553 | 463 | 379 | 653 | 496 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:14PM1.05m | 2:11AM0.35m | 1:53PM1.08m | 2:26AM0.46m | 2:27PM1.08m | 2:49AM0.57m | 2:57PM1.03m | 3:17AM0.67m | 3:23PM0.96m | 3:45AM0.75m | 3:46PM0.86m | 4:14AM0.81m | 4:04PM0.76m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:11PM0.13m | 6:22AM0.21m | 9:14PM0.12m | 7:25AM0.15m | 9:24PM0.11m | 8:14AM0.11m | 9:36PM0.09m | 8:57AM0.11m | 9:50PM0.09m | 9:36AM0.13m | 10:03PM0.08m | 10:14AM0.18m | 10:15PM0.08m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | WSW 8 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 736 | 123 | 207 | 3052 | 1068 | 2349 | 2007 | 1613 | 1743 | 2051 | 1832 | 1536 | 1415 | 1112 | 720 | 614 | 553 | 463 | 379 | 653 | 496 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 24 | SW 13 | SSW 20 |
| kJ | 22 | 261 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 42 | 336 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | SSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 289 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NW 5 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | E 4 | ESE 3 |
| kJ | 35 | 40 | 2592 | 1802 | 2912 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 468 | 535 | 1028 | 733 | 723 | 155 | 30 | 155 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
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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