Rhino Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.28° S 136.95° E

Rhino Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 8 am 25 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rhino Head sea temperature is
15.2° 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 25 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 2,102 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s 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 (Jul 26) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. 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 2.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ACST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sun 26th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 12s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 28th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 12s
Most Powerful 3AM (Wed 29th Jul)7ft (2.1m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, grab a coffee and listen up, it's Rusty here. We've got a long look ahead at Rhino Head, and it's a bit of a mixed bag. We're starting with a lull, so don't rush out the door just yet.

The first proper surf worth talking about arrives on Saturday, July 26th. The morning is looking clean with a light offshore breeze from the WNW, and we're getting waist-high, 3ft swell from the SW. The combined energy is weak (224), so it's not going to be a powerhouse, but it's surfable and the conditions are very ordinary. The afternoon holds similar size with a bit more energy (244), and the offshore wind cleans it up nicely. It's a gentle start.

Now, Monday July 27th is a write-off. The wind is howling from the NNW at 25 mph, creating poor conditions. The swell is still small, and the energy is moderate (313), but it's not worth the paddle. Tuesday the 28th brings a serious jump in size, with a solid 7ft to 7ft groundswell from the WSW. The combined energy is strong (3300), but it's being blown around by a fresh breeze, making it a messy, cross-off affair. This is big, powerful stuff, and with the wind, it's not going to be pretty. It's a no-go until the conditions settle.

The wind finally drops on Saturday, August 1st. This is the standout. We've got a clean, moderate offshore breeze from the NW, and the swell is a solid 5ft to 5ft from the SSW. The period is a very long 18 seconds, which means proper groundswell with heaps of energy (1267 to 1561). This is a *reef* break, so that long period will be absolutely perfect. It will be clean, powerful, and well-shaped. This is the one to circle on the calendar. Crowds are possible, so get there early.

The following week is a tale of two halves. After that Saturday, the wind turns onshore and the surf gets lumpy and messy for a few days. Then, it's worth looking ahead to Friday, August 7th. The morning is looking excellent. We've got a gentle offshore breeze from the WNW, and a solid 8ft swell from the SW with a long 16-second period. The combined energy is very strong (2828). This is a big, powerful swell, only for experienced surfers, but the conditions are described as excellent. The wind stays light, and the afternoon still holds a very good 7ft. This is another strong contender for the best of the window.

So, the two standouts are Saturday, August 1st, for a clean, long-period groundswell, and the morning of Friday, August 7th, for a big, clean, powerful swell. Both are miles better than the rest.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sat night, strong winds from the NW by Mon morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu night).

Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
3
2
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1
SW
12
0.9
SW
11
0.9
SW
12
0.8
SW
12
0.9
SW
11
1.9
WSW
10
1.7
SW
12
2.2
WSW
14
2
WSW
14
2
SSW
16
1.8
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
14
1.4
SSW
13
1.2
SSW
13
1
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SSW
20
1
SSW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
437
473
282
189
224
190
187
778
821
1887
1556
1832
1447
1057
680
458
357
219
172
336
651
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
20
WSW
15
SW
10
WNW
15
NW
20
NNW
40
NNW
40
WNW
25
W
30
WSW
35
SSW
20
SSW
20
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSE
10
SE
5
SSE
5
ENE
10
N
10
NW
10
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:59AM0.84m
12:49PM0.90m
1:24PM0.96m
2:45AM0.37m
1:54PM1.01m
2:43AM0.41m
2:20PM1.04m
2:54AM0.45m
2:44PM1.05m
3:10AM0.51m
3:07PM1.04m
3:30AM0.57m
Low Tide
10:07PM0.23m
9:39PM0.22m
9:34PM0.20m
6:03AM0.32m
9:37PM0.19m
6:55AM0.27m
9:44PM0.17m
7:35AM0.24m
9:54PM0.16m
8:10AM0.21m
10:04PM0.16m
light rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:34
5:35
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:37
 mm
2
1
1
1
1
Temp °C
15
15
14
14
14
14
14
15
14
13
12
11
11
12
11
12
12
12
12
12
12
Feels °C
11
11
11
13
11
10
5
7
9
6
5
5
6
7
7
9
9
10
9
9
8
  • 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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