Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with 3,028 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 17s period. 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 2.2m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s coming up for our local patch.
First off, the water temp is running about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there. The overall pattern shows a real mixed bag – we’ve got some proper swell windows, but the wind is going to be a bit of a fight for the most part.
The standout is Tuesday morning, September 8th. Early birds, this is the one. Rhino Head sees a clean 5ft SSW groundswell with a long 17-second period, and the wind is glassy. That’s as good as it gets – smooth, powerful lines, and with that period, the sets will have some proper push. Combined energy is a strong 1352, so there’s plenty of juice. The swell direction is right on the money for the break’s optimum.
That Tuesday arvo gets a bit messy with a strong cross-offshore wind picking up, so the morning window is the clear winner. Thursday the 10th has some size at 6ft, but the onshore wind spoils it.
There’s a bit of a lull mid-week, but keep an eye on Tuesday September 15th. The afternoon session looks unreal – 6ft SW swell, clean, with light cross-offshore wind. The combined energy is up at 1597, and the period is a solid 15 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and light wind means clean faces. The Wednesday morning after that is also clean with a solid 5ft, but the energy drops a touch.
Looking further out, Saturday September 19th has some potential. A fresh offshore wind with a 5ft SW swell, period of 16 seconds, and combined energy of 1415. It’s a long-range call, so not as locked in as the earlier windows, but the ingredients are there for a good one if it holds.
The very end of the run, Tuesday September 22nd morning, is another glassy moment with a 5ft 17-second SSW swell and combined energy of 1435. That’s a real long shot, but promising.
Overall, don’t waste your time on the choppy, wind-affected days. The two absolute standouts are Tuesday September 8th morning and Tuesday September 15th afternoon. Be there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun night, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the S by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 586 | 331 | 264 | 828 | 1352 | 1214 | 1155 | 3001 | 2894 | 2461 | 1713 | 1273 | 740 | 576 | 730 | 635 | 558 | 455 | 255 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:29AM0.78m | 12:33PM0.85m | 2:08AM0.36m | 1:12PM0.89m | 1:56AM0.47m | 1:43PM0.90m | 2:08AM0.60m | 2:11PM0.87m | 2:29AM0.72m | 2:36PM0.82m | 2:51AM0.82m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:54PM0.06m | 9:04PM0.10m | 8:31PM0.11m | 6:00AM0.26m | 8:23PM0.10m | 7:02AM0.17m | 8:25PM0.08m | 7:47AM0.09m | 8:34PM0.06m | 8:25AM0.05m | 8:44PM0.04m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | 6:06 | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 586 | 331 | 264 | 828 | 1352 | 1214 | 1155 | 3001 | 2894 | 2461 | 1713 | 1273 | 740 | 576 | 730 | 635 | 558 | 455 | 255 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 23 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 26 | S 25 | SW 24 | — | — | ENE 3 | — | SSW 18 |
| kJ | 11 | 45 | 170 | 238 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 13 | 22 | — | — | 2 | — | 211 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | SE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | — | WSW 2 | SSW 4 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | E 2 | E 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NE 3 |
| kJ | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | — | 1 | 29 | 80 | 49 | 42 | 16 | 8 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 541 | 30 | 1194 | 1591 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 83 | 0 | 5 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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