Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
14.7° 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 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 19s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 19s period, SW swell with 2,398 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s 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 (Aug 21) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 18s. 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 1.9m 19s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Fri 21st Aug)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Best Surf 3PM (Thu 27th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 19s
Most Powerful 6PM (Thu 27th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let's get into it. This is Rhino Head we're talking about – a sheltered reef break that's best with a SW swell. The water temp is sitting right around average for this time of year, so nothing to worry about there.

We've got a solid run of surf coming up, but it's a bit of a mixed bag if you're not paying attention. The real standout is the first few days. Friday the 21st kicks things off with a clean 5 ft SW groundswell at 14 seconds, and the energy is pumping at 1447. That's proper, meaty swell. The wind is a gentle cross-off from the WSW, so expect clean, lined-up waves. It's a beginner-friendly spot, but with that size, it's a bit more for the intermediates.

Saturday the 22nd keeps the good vibes rolling – similar size, 5 ft to 6 ft, still from the SW, and the wind stays light and cross-off. The energy is solid (1442). Sunday the 23rd is probably the pick of the first weekend. Light NNW breeze, that 5 ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period, and the energy is still up there (1433). It's a long-period groundswell, so it's going to wrap in nicely at this reef, giving you those long, grinding walls. The sets will be a bit more spaced out, making the paddle out easier.

Now, after that initial blast, we hit a bit of a lull. Monday the 24th drops off to 3 ft and the energy fades to 312. It's surfable, but pretty ordinary. Tuesday the 25th is a write-off – strong S winds blowing cross-on, lumpy and choppy. That 6 ft swell is a mess. Wednesday the 26th looks cleaner again as the wind swings offshore from the WNW, but it's a smaller 4 ft swell.

Then we get a bit of a tricky one. Thursday the 27th afternoon is a real standout for experienced surfers. That 6 ft SW swell picks up with a 19-second period and the energy is massive at 2571. The wind is light and cross-off, so the waves will be clean and powerful. This is big, long-period groundswell energy – it's going to be a heavy, demanding wave at Rhino Head. This is not for the faint-hearted.

The end of the month and start of September is a bit of a washout with onshore winds and chop, but then things get interesting again. On Tuesday the 1st of September, we get another pulse of excellent surf for experienced surfers. The morning shows a 6 ft SW groundswell at 17 seconds, energy cranking at 2107, and light cross-off wind. This is another big, clean, powerful day.

The end of the first week of September looks promising. Thursday the 3rd, we're back to very good conditions with a 6 ft SW swell and clean, light winds. But the real cherry on top looks like Friday the 4th of September. The afternoon session has a 7 ft SW groundswell, 17-second period, 2320 energy, and a light WSW offshore breeze. That's the kind of day that makes you want to call in sick. It's a big swell, though, so it's expert territory.

So, to sum it up: the best bets are this weekend (Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd) for clean, fun, mid-sized waves, and then mark your calendar for Thursday the 27th afternoon and Friday the 4th of September afternoon for the heavy, powerful, clean stuff that only the experienced crew should be touching. There's a fair bit of garbage in between, so pick your windows wisely.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri night, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Mon night, light winds from the SW by Wed morning).

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SW
16
1.6
SW
14
1.7
SW
17
1.8
SW
16
1.7
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.5
SW
15
1.6
SW
17
1.4
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.7
SW
14
0.9
SW
13
1.8
SW
16
1.9
SW
15
1.6
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
0.8
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1366
992
1643
1532
1306
1140
940
1433
1018
496
297
191
261
1611
1588
1002
560
480
207
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
15
WSW
20
W
15
WSW
15
WSW
15
WSW
5
ENE
10
N
5
NNW
10
NE
15
N
15
SW
15
S
30
S
25
S
15
S
5
SW
15
WNW
15
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
6:19AM0.74m
1:59PM0.52m
7:29AM0.68m
12:20PM0.72m
12:56PM0.79m
3:38AM0.37m
1:22PM0.86m
2:36AM0.40m
1:44PM0.90m
2:26AM0.46m
Low Tide
10:32PM0.12m
1:14PM0.52m
10:26PM0.13m
10:07PM0.15m
9:39PM0.15m
9:15PM0.15m
5:30AM0.36m
9:03PM0.14m
6:37AM0.29m
8:59PM0.13m
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:54
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:54
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:58
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
14
13
14
15
14
13
13
15
14
15
15
13
14
13
14
12
11
11
11
Feels °C
9
10
9
11
12
10
12
13
13
13
12
10
11
6
8
7
9
8
8
  • 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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