
Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,943 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rhino Head in the next 16 days are 2.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 16s |
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 cards for our little stretch of coast.
Right now, things are pretty quiet, but we’ve got a decent window of surfable waves coming up. The first proper chance to get wet is Sunday morning, September 13th. We’re looking at a 3ft swell from the southwest with a very long period of 16 seconds. It’s a clean, gentle offshore wind from the WNW, so conditions are set to be nice and tidy. The water is sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year. There’s moderate wave energy in the water (515), but the long period means you’ll get some proper groundswell lines. This is a good time for beginners, as it’s not too big and the wind is helping out. But don’t expect it to last – the afternoon turns to poor conditions with a cross-offshore breeze.
Monday, September 14th, is a bit of a write-off. The swell drops a touch, and the wind stays cross-offshore, so it’s not really worth the paddle. Tuesday, September 15th, sees the swell building to 6ft and 6ft, but the wind swings onshore and gets strong. The energy jumps way up (1197 to 1334), but with that cross-onshore wind, it’s going to be choppy and messy. Leave this one for the kite crew, honestly.
Wednesday, September 16th, and Thursday, September 17th, are both pretty ordinary. Onshore winds spoil the fun, though Thursday afternoon goes glassy with a tiny 3ft swell. It’s surfable, but very small and ordinary.
We get a break of clean but small surf from Friday, September 18th, through to Saturday, September 19th, but the swell is tiny (1ft to 3ft). Not really worth getting excited about.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday, September 20th, is a standout, but it’s not perfect. The morning brings a 7ft SW swell with a very long period of 16 seconds and a strong cross-offshore wind at 22 mph. The energy is very strong (2146), so there’s plenty of power. But the wind is a bit fresh, so it’s marginal. The afternoon is better for wind, but it’s cross-shore. Still, if you can handle the size, it’s a proper groundswell.
The real gem is Monday, September 21st. The morning is clean with a 6ft swell and a gentle cross-offshore breeze. The afternoon is where it’s at: a 6ft SSW swell, offshore wind, and the energy is strong (1855). This is very good surf. Then, Tuesday, September 22nd, is the one for experienced surfers. Morning brings a 8ft swell with a very long period of 18 seconds and light offshore winds. That’s excellent, powerful surf with strong energy (3491). The afternoon turns to junk with a strong cross-onshore, so get in early.
The rest of the week goes downhill. Wednesday, September 23rd, to Thursday, September 24th, is onshore and messy. Friday, September 25th, sees a big swell (8ft to 8ft) with cross-shore winds. It’s powerful but not clean.
Saturday, September 26th, is another good one. The morning brings a 5ft swell with a moderate offshore wind and good energy (1078). It’s clean and should offer some fun waves. The afternoon is smaller and cross-offshore, but still surfable.
Sunday, September 27th, is glassy in the morning with a tiny 3ft swell. It’s surfable but very small. Then Monday, September 28th, is a write-off with strong onshore winds.
So, if you’re looking for the best of the best, it’s Monday, September 21st afternoon and Tuesday, September 22nd morning at Rhino Head. The 21st gives you a clean, offshore 6ft groundswell with solid energy, and the 22nd offers a powerful 8ft, long-period swell for the experienced crew. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri night, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | W 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
515 | 362 | 226 | 273 | 335 | 737 | 1187 | 1321 | 1220 | 1332 | 1238 | 918 | 538 | 332 | 282 | 475 | 318 | 251 | 120 | 90 | 1215 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | 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-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:58PM0.75m | 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 | 8:56PM0.02m | 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 | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 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 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 23 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 |
515 | 362 | 226 | 273 | 335 | 41 | 1187 | 1321 | 1220 | 1332 | 1238 | 918 | 538 | 332 | 282 | 475 | 318 | 251 | 120 | 85 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | NE 4 | — | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | SSW 20 | — | NE 4 | W 6 | SW 20 | WSW 5 | — |
1 | 1 | — | 37 | 80 | 103 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 41 | — | 2 | 2 | 16 | 6 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | SW 19 | NE 4 |
— | — | — | — | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 90 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | W 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | SW 16 | S 4 | S 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNE 2 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | W 18 |
5 | 25 | 26 | 33 | 27 | 737 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 5 | 1 | 14 | 16 | 1215 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 369 | 84 | 161 | 132 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 154 | 5 | 7 | 143 | 132 | 720 |
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.










