Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SW swell with 6,081 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 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 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 15s. 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 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. The next two weeks are a bit of a tease. We got some swell coming, but the wind’s gonna be fighting us for most of it.
This weekend is a write-off. There’s some chest-high swell around, but that cross-off breeze is making it a choppy mess. Not worth the paddle out. Sunday afternoon picks up a touch, but again, it’s just not clean. You’re better off doing something else.
The first real push comes on Monday, August 12th. A solid 3.0m SW groundswell rolls in, with some serious energy behind it – we’re talking 7149 on the combined swell energy. But the wind is howling from the west at 45 km/h, and it’s going to be a washing machine out there. It’s big, but it’s going to be ugly. Only the hardcore crew will be out.
Now, for the one to save for. Thursday morning, August 15th. This is the day. The swell backs off a bit to 2.4m from the SW, but the wind goes glassy offshore from the west. This is the clearest, best-condition surf of the whole period. The water is warmer than usual for this time of year, so it’s a bonus. The combined energy is still strong at 4105, and with that 16-second period, it’s a proper groundswell. This is a day for Rhino Head (Big Island). It’s a bit heavy for a beginner, but for everyone else, this is the one to be out for.
The weekend after, August 16-17, is a bust. The wind goes onshore from the east and the swell fades. Not worth your time. The middle of the next week is pretty small, waves around 1.2m to 1.4m, but the wind is inconsistent. There’s a tiny window on Tuesday morning with a longer-period SSW swell and light cross-shore wind, but it’s not going to set the world on fire.
As we get into the last few days of the forecast, August 22nd and 23rd, we see a bit of swell, but the wind is back up again, and the quality is poor. It’s a disappointing way to end the run.
So, bottom line: Thursday, August 15th is your day. Everything else is either too windy, too small, or blown out. Be patient and make that session count.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the N on Sat afternoon, near gales from the SSW by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Tue morning, light winds from the W by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 964 | 883 | 784 | 597 | 636 | 773 | 5669 | 4380 | 2790 | 1366 | 590 | 573 | 3746 | 5953 | 5283 | 3301 | 2692 | 2021 | 1576 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-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 | |||||||||
 |  |  |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — |
mm | 3 | — | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 9 | — | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 964 | 883 | 784 | 597 | 636 | 773 | 60 | — | 1141 | 1366 | 590 | 573 | 82 | 1196 | 580 | 3301 | 2692 | 2021 | 1576 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 6 | — | — | — | SSW 21 | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 13 | — | — | — | 300 | — | — | — | — | 178 | 190 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | N 4 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NNW 4 | WNW 6 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | NW 3 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 17 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | W 8 |
| kJ | 10 | 16 | 8 | 28 | 20 | 81 | 5669 | 4380 | 2790 | 3 | 68 | 42 | 3746 | 5953 | 5283 | 1976 | 1413 | 1076 | 125 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 367 | 584 | 740 | 155 | 640 | 728 | 541 | 723 | 1194 | 723 | 0 | 712 | 44 |
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.
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