
Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with 2,541 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty checkin’ in from the coast. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got a run of surf ahead, but honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The real standout is a long way off, so you’ll need some patience.
First up, we kick things off on Tuesday the 21st of July at Rhino Head. Morning’s looking alright with a clean 4 ft SW swell, period around 13 seconds, and a cross-off breeze. The combined energy’s moderate at 437. It’s a sheltered reef, so it’ll be a bit softer and more forgiving. That afternoon, the swell drops to 3 ft, but the wind swings offshore and clean, so the waves will be tidy. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, and it’s fairly consistent, so it’s a good place to get a few.
Wednesday the 22nd is a write-off. The wind’s up to 16 mph and the wave quality tanks. The swell is there at 4 ft, but the conditions are poor. Save your energy.
Thursday the 23rd sees a bigger pulse, with 6 ft to 6 ft SSW swell, and period pushing 15 seconds. That’s a long period groundswell, which means better shaped waves, but it’s a bit cross-shore and lumpy. The energy is strong, hitting 2629, so there’s plenty of push. This is getting into the size range where it’s not for beginners anymore. The wind is fresh, so it’s a bit messy.
Friday the 24th is a little cleaner. The swell drops to 5 ft, still from the SSW with a 15-second period. The cross-off wind helps keep things tidy. The energy is still strong at 1056. It’s a marginal call, but the conditions are better than Thursday.
Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are a letdown. The swell drops right off, down to 2 ft by Sunday afternoon, and the wind is up. Not worth paddling out for.
Monday the 27th brings a bit of hope. The morning has a clean 5 ft SW swell, period 14 seconds, and light NNW breeze. The energy is moderate at 801. It’s a solid, clean option. The afternoon picks up a little to 5 ft.
Tuesday the 28th has a bigger swell, 7 ft from the SSW with a 16-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell, and the energy is strong at 2118. This is expert territory. The wind is fresh and cross-off, so it’ll be clean, but the power is serious. The break is a reef, which is a good match for this kind of swell, but it’s not for the faint-hearted.
Wednesday the 29th is similar, with 6 ft SSW swell, 17-second period, and offshore wind. The energy is strong at 1655. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no wetsuit surprises.
Then we hit a real dry spell. From Thursday the 30th of July all the way through to Sunday the 2nd of August, the surf is poor. The swell drops, the wind howls, and the conditions are just no good. There’s a solid gap of no quality surf for four days.
Now, the real gem. Mark your calendars for Tuesday the 4th of August. The morning is glassy. Zero wind. A 6 ft SW swell, with an 18-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell. The combined energy is a massive 2128. This is the best on offer. The reef will handle that long period beautifully, and the glassy conditions mean it will be perfect. This is a standout for experienced surfers. The afternoon is still clean with a light breeze.
Wednesday the 5th of August has a 6 ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and moderate breeze. The energy is still strong at 1356, but it’s not as pristine as the day before.
So, the clear winner is the morning of Tuesday the 4th of August at Rhino Head. It’s a long way out, so stay hopeful, but if the forecast holds, it’ll be a day to remember.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
437 | 346 | 240 | 511 | 463 | 1016 | 1321 | 1550 | 1305 | 1083 | 869 | 581 | 437 | 326 | 287 | 268 | 135 | 425 | 1099 | 1086 | 1931 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 4:58PM0.66m | 6:59AM0.76m | 4:25PM0.58m | 8:11AM0.76m | 10:19AM0.78m | 11:59AM0.84m | 12:49PM0.90m | 1:24PM0.96m | 2:45AM0.37m | ||||||||||||
Low Tide | 11:50AM0.45m | 11:38PM0.21m | 1:03PM0.53m | 11:42PM0.22m | 11:35PM0.23m | 11:03PM0.24m | 10:07PM0.23m | 9:39PM0.22m | 9:34PM0.20m | ||||||||||||
7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 |
437 | 346 | 240 | 70 | 87 | 1016 | 1321 | 405 | 1305 | 1083 | 869 | 581 | 437 | 326 | 287 | 268 | 135 | 54 | 1099 | 166 | 368 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 15 | — | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | — | SW 20 | SW 16 |
— | — | 34 | — | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 67 | 12 | 55 | 10 | 34 | 21 | — | 15 | 67 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | SW 16 | — | — | SW 15 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 11 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 2 | WNW 4 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 5 | SSW 15 | — | — | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | W 8 | WSW 7 | — | W 3 | W 4 | WSW 11 | W 5 | SW 13 | SSW 16 |
— | 1 | 4 | 511 | 463 | 476 | 28 | 1550 | — | — | 7 | 19 | 57 | 25 | — | 6 | 40 | 425 | 68 | 1086 | 1931 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 721 | 733 | 712 | 44 | 1194 | 44 | 44 | 510 | 510 | 712 | 712 | 44 | 0 | 132 | 30 | 0 | 5 |
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.










