Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 2 pm 07 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
14.7° C
0.1° 

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 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SW swell with 6,231 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m 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 3.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 12PM. 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Mon 10th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 16s
Best Surf 3PM (Mon 10th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 16s
Most Powerful12PM (Wed 12th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty. Let's have a look at the forecast for Rhino Head.

First off, the water temp is sitting at about 59°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The outlook kicks off on Friday, August 7th, but don't get too excited. The morning has a 6ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, and the combined energy is strong (1412). The wind is a cross-off, but it's blowing 15 mph, which is a bit of a pain. It's surfable, but not firing. By Friday afternoon, the wind shifts cross and it gets messy, so that's a write-off.

Saturday, August 8th, the swell drops a touch to 5ft, still with a long period, but the wind is howling from the north at 19 mph in the morning. It's clean, but that wind is a stiff breeze, so it's a lot of work for not much reward. The energy drops into the moderate range (883). Saturday afternoon is a repeat.

Sunday, August 9th, is a weird one. The morning is small and clean but with light rain and a fresh breeze. Then Sunday afternoon gets wild. The wind whips around to the west at 40 mph – that's a gale – and the swell jumps to 12ft with a shorter 11-second period. The energy is very strong (2331), but with that wind, it’s a washing machine. Not for paddling.

Now, Monday, August 10th, is where it starts to look interesting. The morning has a 8ft swell from the SW with a 17-second period, and the energy is absolutely pumping (5639). The wind is a cross-off, but it's still a bit strong. The real standout is Monday afternoon. The wind goes offshore from the WNW at 12 mph, with a 8ft SW swell and a 16-second period. The energy is massive (3788), and the report says it's excellent for experienced surfers. This is your best window in the first week. That long-period groundswell will be lining up nicely on the reef, but it's a big, powerful wave – not for beginners.

Tuesday, August 11th, is a mess. The wind is a strong breeze at 28 mph, and the swell drops right off. Wednesday, August 12th, is even worse; the wind is a near gale at 31 mph, with a 10ft swell. The report says it's hard to paddle into, and I'd agree. It's a kite day, not a surf day.

We get another golden window on Thursday, August 13th, afternoon. The same setup as Monday: offshore wind from the west at 12 mph, a 8ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and very strong energy (3764). Another excellent session for experienced surfers.

Friday, August 14th, is good. The morning has a 6ft swell with a gentle breeze and a score that says "very good". The energy is strong (1532). The wind is a cross-off, but it's light. Saturday, August 15th, is a gem. The morning is glassy with a 6ft SSW swell, a 16-second period, and strong energy (1832). That's clean, smooth, and the best-looking session for the intermediate crowd. Saturday afternoon stays clean with a light breeze.

The second week gets a bit patchy. Sunday, August 16th, is small and weak. Monday, August 17th, the afternoon turns glassy with a 4ft swell, but it’s small. Tuesday, August 18th, is onshore and choppy. The real promise in the second week is Friday, August 21st, morning. The wind is dead calm, glassy conditions, with a 7ft SW swell and a 16-second period. The energy is very strong (1871), and the report says "very good". That’s a long-range standout, but it’s a promising one. The rest of the week is a mix of small and windy.

So, to sum it up: the standouts are Monday afternoon, August 10th and Thursday afternoon, August 13th for the big, powerful, clean groundswell for experts. For the rest of us, Saturday morning, August 15th is the cleanest, most user-friendly window. And if you're looking ahead, Friday morning, August 21st has the potential to be a classic glassy day.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the NE on Fri afternoon, strong winds from the SSW by Sun night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Wed morning, light winds from the WSW by Thu morning).

Fri
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
4
1
0
0
1
2
2
4
3
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)
1.5
SW
17
1.4
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
3
SW
19
3
WSW
16
2.2
SW
16
1.7
SW
16
0.9
SSW
14
1.1
SW
14
2.3
SW
18
3
SW
18
3
SW
17
3
WSW
16
2.4
SW
16
2.2
SW
15
1.9
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1305
964
883
784
597
636
860
5911
5195
2465
1374
362
492
3338
5792
6014
4761
2844
2204
1426
Wind (km/h)
20
NE
25
N
30
N
30
N
30
N
25
NNW
40
W
45
SSW
30
WSW
20
WNW
30
NNW
45
NNW
40
NW
40
SW
45
W
40
WSW
25
WSW
20
WSW
20
WSW
20
W
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
8:33AM0.83m
11:06AM0.88m
12:25PM0.97m
2:55AM0.27m
1:14PM1.05m
2:11AM0.35m
1:53PM1.08m
2:26AM0.46m
2:27PM1.08m
2:49AM0.57m
Low Tide
11:08PM0.10m
11:05PM0.12m
10:18PM0.14m
9:24PM0.14m
4:16AM0.27m
9:11PM0.13m
6:22AM0.21m
9:14PM0.12m
7:25AM0.15m
9:24PM0.11m
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:07
7:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:43
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
 mm
3
2
5
8
14
6
7
13
1
Temp °C
15
14
14
15
13
13
13
14
12
13
14
15
14
12
13
14
14
14
15
15
Feels °C
11
9
8
9
6
8
7
8
5
8
6
6
5
5
3
6
10
10
11
11
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  • 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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