Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 31 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
15.1°C
0.6° 

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 31 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 3,877 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 01) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 18s. 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 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Tue 1st Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep)7ft (2.2m) 15s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sat 5th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

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.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon night, min 13°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the W by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu night, fresh winds from the WSW by Fri night).

Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
1
0
2
1
2
1
1
2
3
4
2
2
0
2
3
4
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SSW
16
1.5
SSW
18
1.4
SSW
16
1.1
SW
16
0.8
SSW
14
1.1
SW
15
1.3
SSW
16
1.4
SSW
15
1.4
SSW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
2.2
SW
15
2
SSW
15
1.9
SW
15
1.8
SW
15
2.3
SW
16
2.5
SW
17
2.5
SW
16
1.9
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
749
1399
957
551
268
537
811
807
785
1864
1688
2120
1857
1526
1380
2660
3831
3400
1609
857
412
Wind (km/h)
15
NNE
10
N
20
N
40
N
20
W
20
SW
20
W
30
W
35
WNW
30
WSW
20
W
10
NNW
20
NNW
25
NNW
35
WSW
30
WSW
20
W
15
N
30
NNE
20
N
45
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
High Tide
3:23PM0.77m
3:46AM0.86m
3:39PM0.69m
4:12AM0.91m
3:51PM0.59m
4:43AM0.92m
3:53PM0.51m
5:20AM0.90m
3:32PM0.45m
6:08AM0.84m
7:40AM0.76m
Low Tide
9:27PM0.05m
9:57AM0.12m
9:37PM0.04m
10:33AM0.18m
9:47PM0.02m
11:12AM0.26m
9:58PM0.00m
12:03PM0.37m
10:08PM0.00m
10:11PM0.02m
9:54PM0.06m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:37
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:00
6:01
6:02
6:02
6:04
6:05
6:06
 mm
1
1
3
5
Temp °C
16
17
18
17
18
14
13
14
14
14
13
13
14
17
15
13
13
13
16
16
15
Feels °C
13
13
13
12
14
11
8
8
7
9
8
11
10
12
10
7
8
11
10
13
11
  • 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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