Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, SW swell with 1,680 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 3PM (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 (Sep 17) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 3s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rhino Head in the next 16 days are 2.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks at Rhino Head.
First off, we’re in for a pretty slow start. The first few days are a write-off, with Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th offering nothing but poor conditions – choppy, cross-on winds, and messy surf. The swell energy is there on Tuesday, with a moderate to strong reading, but that wind is just no good. Wednesday and Thursday are similar, a real flat spell with nothing worth paddling out for.
The first real glimmer comes Thursday afternoon, the 17th. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, and the water turns to glass. We’ve got a small 3 ft swell from the SSW, with a period of 14 seconds. It’s not big, but the energy is low and the conditions are clean. It’s surfable, but just ordinary.
The biggest standout is Monday the 21st. This is the one. From the afternoon session, we’re looking at a solid 7 ft SSW groundswell with a long 16-second period. Now, that long period at a beach setup can make it a bit straight, but Rhino Head is a reef. It should handle that power well. The winds are glassy, dead calm, and the water will be like a mirror. The combined energy is very strong, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the session to circle if you’ve got the skills. Anything over 8 ft is for experts only, and this is close, so beginners should sit this one out.
There’s another interesting window right at the end of the period. On Monday morning, the 28th of September, we get a clean, 5 ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and a gentle offshore wind from the NW. The energy is moderate, but the winds are offshore and clean. It’s a very good opportunity for a clean session.
The week after that, Tuesday the 29th, has a massive energy reading from a 7 ft south swell with an 18-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell, and it’s clean. But this is more than a week away, so promising but less certain. If it lines up, that's a powerful, clean day for the experienced crew.
Water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing to worry about for the first sessions.
Signing off, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | W 6 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 226 | 231 | 335 | 208 | 1415 | 1321 | 1220 | 1190 | 1238 | 930 | 545 | 337 | 229 | 202 | 314 | 214 | 88 | 247 | 850 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:15AM0.88m | 3:16PM0.68m | 3:39AM0.92m | 3:32PM0.60m | 4:02AM0.91m | 3:40PM0.53m | 4:25AM0.88m | 3:39PM0.48m | 4:48AM0.82m | 3:20PM0.45m | 5:13AM0.75m | 2:19PM0.45m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:32AM0.06m | 9:08PM0.02m | 10:02AM0.10m | 9:19PM0.02m | 10:31AM0.16m | 9:29PM0.03m | 10:57AM0.25m | 9:36PM0.04m | 11:22AM0.34m | 9:38PM0.06m | 11:49AM0.43m | 9:34PM0.08m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 6:10 | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 25 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | E 5 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 226 | 231 | 335 | 161 | 1415 | 1321 | 1220 | 1190 | 1238 | 930 | 545 | 337 | 229 | 134 | 314 | 214 | 88 | 1 | 81 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | — | W 6 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 |
| kJ | — | 37 | 80 | 208 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 126 | 202 | — | 1 | 38 | 35 | 31 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 5 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 5 | S 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ENE 3 | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | N 3 | NNW 4 | W 6 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 27 | 30 | 27 | 26 | 11 | 5 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | 5 | 2 | 58 | 247 | 850 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 84 | 510 | 154 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 132 | 0 | 5 | 83 | 83 | 157 |
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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