Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 09 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
15.2°C
0.7° 

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 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 17s period, SSW swell with 2,796 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m 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 2.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Sun 13th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Best Surf 3PM (Wed 16th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 15s
Most Powerful 6PM (Wed 9th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking at Rhino Head (United States) for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow burner, but there’s a glimmer of hope if you’re patient.

Right now, we’ve got a big gap of flat to poor conditions to sit through. We’re talking from the start of the period right up until Wednesday the 16th, with the first real chance of a wave happening on the afternoon of that day. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is pretty average for this time of year.

The first sign of life shows up Wednesday afternoon, September 16th. The wind goes glassy, and we get a 5ft SSW groundswell with a 15-second period pushing in. The combined energy is moderate at 1209 and things are looking glassy. It’s not huge, but the conditions will be absolutely pristine. This is the kind of session where you just take what it gives you, and it’ll be clean.

Now, if you’re holding out for something bigger, keep your eyes on Tuesday, September 22nd. The morning kicks off with a gentle offshore breeze from the WNW. Swell is 6ft from the SSW at 17 seconds, with a combined energy of 1754. It’s clean and lined up, and you’ll be surfing empty, clean waves. Then the afternoon gets serious: the swell jumps to 8ft from the SW at 17 seconds. We’re talking 3134 combined energy, which is strong wave energy. This is a proper groundswell. Now, at 8ft with a long period, it’ll be powerful and only for experienced surfers. The wind is cross-offshore and it’s clean. This is the standout window – the best on offer across the whole forecast. The only downside is this is still a week and a half away, so treat it as promising but keep an eye on it.

Between now and that sweet spot on the 22nd, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. We’ve got a lot of onshore wind, lumpy conditions, and generally poor surf quality. Don’t bother before the 16th, and after the 22nd it drops back into rougher, wind-affected stuff. The afternoon of the 22nd is your best shot, and the glassy afternoon on the 16th is your clean, small-wave backup. That’s the pick of it.

Stay patient, and keep an eye on that late September window.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri night, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Wed morning, light winds from the E by Fri morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat night, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
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)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
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)
2.1
SSW
19
2.2
SSW
18
2.1
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
16
1.6
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
16
1.2
SW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
1
SW
18
0.6
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
14
1.7
SSW
14
1.6
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3001
2894
2263
1555
1273
740
674
870
915
759
702
382
458
362
318
162
614
175
1095
1080
975
Wind (km/h)
35
SE
30
SE
30
SE
25
ESE
20
E
20
ESE
15
E
15
ESE
15
E
15
NNE
15
NNE
15
NNE
15
NNW
10
W
15
SW
15
W
25
SW
20
SSE
20
ESE
20
E
15
ESE
Wind State
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
on
High Tide
1:12PM0.89m
1:56AM0.47m
1:43PM0.90m
2:08AM0.60m
2:11PM0.87m
2:29AM0.72m
2:36PM0.82m
2:51AM0.82m
2:58PM0.75m
3:15AM0.88m
3:16PM0.68m
3:39AM0.92m
3:32PM0.60m
Low Tide
8:23PM0.10m
7:02AM0.17m
8:25PM0.08m
7:47AM0.09m
8:34PM0.06m
8:25AM0.05m
8:44PM0.04m
9:00AM0.04m
8:56PM0.02m
9:32AM0.06m
9:08PM0.02m
10:02AM0.10m
9:19PM0.02m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:30
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:08
6:08
6:09
6:10
6:10
6:12
 mm
Temp °C
12
12
10
11
11
12
15
15
16
18
19
20
20
19
16
15
15
12
11
12
11
Feels °C
4
5
3
6
6
9
12
12
13
14
15
15
16
17
15
12
11
8
7
8
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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