Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Issued: 8 am 07 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
15.5° C

Normal for this time of year

Rhino Head surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Rhino Head surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 18s period, SSW swell with 3,342 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s 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 (Jul 09) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 20s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 3s is also forecast. 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 2.3m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Thu 9th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 14th Jul)6.5ft (2.0m) 17s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 13th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright, let’s take a look at what Rhino Head’s got for us.

We’ve got a slow start, no doubt. Tuesday and Wednesday are rubbish – cross-onshore wind and messy, choppy water. The swell’s there, about 3 ft to 6 ft, but the wind is just killin’ it. The wave energy is moderate, but it’s a waste.

But come Thursday, July 9th, things flip. The wind goes light, turns cross-off, then proper offshore. The surf cleans right up. We’re looking at a solid 3 ft of SSW groundswell in the morning. The water temp’s 60°, which is normal for this time of year, so you’re fine in a spring suit. The wave energy is moderate. This is where it starts to feel real.

Friday the 10th holds that clean shape, a bit bigger at 4 ft from the SW, period still a long 16 seconds. The wind’s a bit stronger but cross-off. A good, fun wave.

The real standout, the one you need to plan for, is Tuesday, July 14th. The swell is a solid 6 ft from the SW, period a juicy 16 seconds. The wind is light and cross-off, glassy. The wave energy is strong (pushing 1,700 to 1,800). The conditions look very good. This is the day. Rhino Head, a sheltered reef, will be dialed with that long-period groundswell, giving you clean, lined-up rides. Be aware, the crowds are possible here sometimes, but for waves that good, it’s worth the company.

Things get a little choppier on Wednesday the 15th, but we get another nice clean window on Thursday the 16th afternoon with a clean 4 ft from the SW. Good little session.

Into the second week. Friday the 17th to Monday the 20th has some potential. Clean conditions, decent size (up to 7 ft). Sunday the 19th afternoon looks prime with offshore wind and clean 6 ft. Monday the 20th afternoon also has that offshore wind and a clean 5 ft. But the wind gets stronger, so paddling out gets tougher.

Tuesday the 21st brings another big pulse – 7 ft to 7 ft from the SSW, period 17 seconds. That’s proper, deep ocean energy. The wave energy is very strong (over 2,400). The wind is cross-off but a fresh breeze, keeping it clean but a bit bumpy. That’s expert-only territory.

The tail end, Wednesday the 22nd, offers a solid 6 ft with strong offshore wind, but it’s blowin’ a strong breeze, so you’ll earn your waves. The energy is still strong.

So, the first week’s a bit quiet, but Tuesday, July 14th is the absolute best bet. Best conditions, best swell, cleanest water. Don’t miss it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Fri morning, strong winds from the WNW by Fri night).

Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
1
0
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
2
2
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
16
1.1
SW
15
1
SSW
18
1.7
SSW
18
1.5
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
16
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
1.4
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
1
SW
14
1.9
WSW
14
2.1
SW
9
1.9
SW
12
2.1
SW
13
2.1
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
2.2
SSW
16
1.9
SSW
16
2.1
SSW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
436
544
673
1837
1214
768
443
372
906
773
566
407
1408
683
1031
1395
1504
1610
2472
1721
2642
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
20
E
20
ENE
15
ENE
15
E
15
ENE
10
N
10
NW
15
N
20
NNW
20
NNW
30
NW
40
W
40
WSW
35
WSW
35
W
35
W
30
WSW
30
WSW
25
WSW
15
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:03PM0.75m
6:51AM0.71m
5:04PM0.64m
8:06AM0.78m
9:43AM0.87m
11:10AM0.97m
12:14PM1.07m
1:22AM0.26m
1:06PM1.16m
1:50AM0.30m
Low Tide
11:07AM0.44m
11:54PM0.26m
12:23PM0.52m
00:07AM0.25m
00:21AM0.23m
00:38AM0.23m
1:01AM0.23m
9:31PM0.21m
3:57AM0.24m
9:29PM0.18m
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:31
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:28
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:23
5:24
5:24
5:25
 mm
1
1
2
Temp °C
13
13
13
14
14
14
15
14
14
14
14
14
14
12
14
15
14
14
14
14
15
Feels °C
8
9
9
12
11
12
13
12
11
11
10
10
6
3
6
8
7
8
8
9
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
16
1.1
SW
15
1
SSW
18
1.7
SSW
18
1.5
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
16
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
1.4
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
1
SW
14
0.9
SSW
12
1
SSW
13
1
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
18
2.2
SSW
16
1.9
SSW
16
2.1
SSW
17
Energy kJ
436
544
673
1837
1214
768
443
372
906
773
566
407
251
341
368
348
2472
1721
2642
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
15
0.4
SW
20
0.7
SW
18
0.2
SSW
22
0.4
SSW
19
1.3
SSW
19
Energy kJ
372
98
323
45
148
1135
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
NE
3
0.1
S
22
Energy kJ
2
9
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
E
4
0.5
E
4
0.4
E
3
0.3
ENE
3
0.4
NE
3
0.2
ENE
2
0.2
ENE
3
0.4
NW
4
0.6
WNW
4
0.7
W
4
1.9
WSW
14
2.1
SW
9
1.9
SW
12
2.1
SW
13
2.1
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.4
SW
16
1.3
WSW
16
Energy kJ
7
7
3
2
2
1
1
4
11
17
1408
683
1031
1395
1504
1610
964
806
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
5
4
4
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
4
1
1
1
9
1
1
4
Distance (km)
12
12
9
9
9
9
0
0
0
5
5
5
1028
723
1028
1194
1319
723
1182
1182
5
Best forecast wave conditions in Yorke Peninsula
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
2
4
4
2
4
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
5
7
6
5
4
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
5
5
9
9
7
5
6
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
7
9
8
9
7
7
6
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
9
9
7
5
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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