Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,591 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 20s. 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 1.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, with a look at what the next couple of weeks have in store. There's a bit of a slow start, but a couple of sessions are shaping up to be absolute gems if you can pick your moment.
The outlook for Rhino Head is a real mixed bag. We're starting with a few days of very ordinary conditions, but the long-range forecast has two distinct standout periods that are worth circling on the calendar. You'll need to be patient, because there's a lot of wind and messy energy to wade through first.
The first real glimmer comes on Thursday the 6th of August, but the real magic kicks off on Friday the 7th. Thursday afternoon sees a decent 5ft swell from the SW with a moderate combined energy (1562), but it's being hammered by a 19 mph cross-offshore wind. Not ideal.
However, by Friday afternoon the 7th of August, the stars align. The swell settles to a clean 5ft from the SW, and with the wind dropping to glassy conditions from the SSE, this is going to be a beauty. The wave energy is still strong (1178), and that smooth, clean surface will make for some really fun, user-friendly lines. This is your pick for a solid session without a huge crowd, though it can get busy here sometimes.
Now, the true standout is the one on the horizon. For the experienced crew, clear your schedule for Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th of August. This is a big-groundswell event. Thursday the 13th sees a massive 10ft to 12ft SW groundswell rolling in with a very long period of 21 to 22 seconds. The combined energy is monstrous, hitting 8466 on the morning and a staggering 9318 in the afternoon. This is expert territory only. The wind is light and offshore, so the faces will be holding up nicely for those willing to paddle out. Friday the 14th still holds good size at 6ft to 8ft, with a fresh offshore wind keeping things clean, but the energy and size will have backed off a touch. For most of us, the 13th is the one to watch, but remember, forecasts are less certain this far out.
Right now, for the rest of us, it's a waiting game. There are a few days of onshore crud and strong wind, particularly around the 8th and 9th of August, where the mixed-up 10ft+ surf and gale-force winds would be a better day for the kite surfers. Hang tight.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Thu night, fresh winds from the W by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun night, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun night, calm by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 299 | 215 | 183 | 276 | 751 | 1055 | 1005 | 657 | 592 | 1591 | 1196 | 1049 | 632 | 301 | 412 | 288 | 465 | 711 | 602 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:10AM0.51m | 3:07PM1.04m | 3:30AM0.57m | 3:28PM1.00m | 3:52AM0.63m | 3:48PM0.94m | 4:17AM0.69m | 4:06PM0.85m | 4:45AM0.76m | 4:21PM0.75m | 5:18AM0.80m | 4:29PM0.65m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:54PM0.16m | 8:10AM0.21m | 10:04PM0.16m | 8:44AM0.20m | 10:14PM0.15m | 9:18AM0.21m | 10:24PM0.15m | 9:54AM0.23m | 10:33PM0.15m | 10:33AM0.28m | 10:42PM0.14m | 11:17AM0.35m | 10:51PM0.12m | ||||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 299 | 215 | 183 | 276 | 751 | 1055 | 1005 | 657 | 592 | 1591 | 1196 | 1049 | 632 | 301 | 412 | 220 | 465 | 711 | 602 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 23 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SW 19 | WSW 7 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | — | — | — | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | SSW 14 | — | — |
| kJ | 20 | 44 | 149 | 113 | 18 | 96 | 10 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | 31 | 102 | 45 | 288 | 246 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 45 | 43 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 2 | N 3 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NNW 4 | N 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 57 | 121 | 75 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 83 | 7 | 83 | 161 | 84 | 535 | 510 | 510 | 268 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 83 | 7 | 0 |
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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