Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, but this time in feet and Fahrenheit for the crew who think that way. Let’s break down Rhino Head.

Water temp is about 59°F – right where it should be for this time of year, so no need to go full rubber. The surf story is a run of solid groundswell from the SSW and SW, but the wind is the decider. The clear winner is Monday afternoon (August 31st). Swell is 5 feet from the SSW, a very long 18-second period, and the combined energy is a strong 1551 (moderate energy). The wind is light from the north at 10 mph, going cross-offshore, so the waves will be clean and lined up. Rhino Head is a sheltered reef, and that long period will work perfectly. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, but 5 feet with that period is still fun for everyone. This is the best wave of the whole forecast.

Tuesday morning (September 1st) is a write-off – strong north wind at 25 mph, messy, and the swell drops to 4 feet. Tuesday afternoon gets a 20 mph west wind, fully offshore, with a 3-foot SW swell. Small and clean – good for a log.

Wednesday (2nd) and Thursday (3rd) keep the offshore wind going. Swell builds to 5 feet on Wednesday, then jumps to 7 feet on Thursday morning. The energy on Thursday morning is 2199 (strong), but the wind is a fresh 19 mph from the WSW, cross-offshore. Clean but a bit breezy. At 7 feet, it’s not for beginners. Thursday afternoon drops to 7 feet with a lighter 12 mph west wind, and the energy is even stronger at 2580 (strong). That’s a solid session for the experienced guys.

Friday (4th) and Saturday (5th) hold swell at 7 to 8 feet, with Saturday afternoon peaking at 8 feet from the SW, 17-second period, and energy of 3831 (strong to very strong). The wind is cross-offshore from the west at 12-19 mph, so it’s clean but big. At 8 feet on a reef, it’s powerful and a bit gnarly.

Sunday (6th) is lumpy with a cross-shore north wind at 19 mph. Swell is still 6 feet, but the quality is gone.

The big one is Tuesday (September 8th). Swell hits 10 feet in the morning and 12 feet in the afternoon from the SW, with a 17-18 second period. The energy is massive – 10738 in the morning and 12788 in the afternoon (very strong). This is huge, long-period groundswell. But the wind is a cross-shore from the SSW at 15-22 mph, creating a lumpy chop. At 12 feet, it’s experts only – over 8 feet, it’s a beast. If you’re a charger, it’s on, but the wind keeps it from being perfect.

After that, it’s all downhill. Wednesday (9th) still has 7 feet, but the wind goes onshore from the SE. Quality drops. From Thursday (10th) onward, swell sizes drop to 5 feet, then to 3 feet by the end. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the energy is weak (below 1000). The last few days are small, weak, and messy. Not worth it.

So, the call: Monday afternoon (August 31st) is the clear standout – 5 feet, clean, light offshore, long-period groundswell. For power, Thursday (3rd) afternoon and Tuesday (8th) afternoon are huge, but the wind is a factor. The second week is a long stretch of flat and dirty conditions.

Rusty out.

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