Surf Forecasts:
Rhino Head surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,818 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 19s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 19s is also forecast. 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 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rhino Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks.
We’re starting Monday the 17th of August at Rhino Head, but it’s a total no-go. Cross-onshore winds and chop have it locked up tight. Tuesday the 18th afternoon gives a small glimmer with cleaner conditions and a 3-foot SSW swell, but it’s still marginal.
The real fun fires up Wednesday the 19th. Winds go offshore and clean, but Wednesday only has a tiny 2.3-foot to 5.2-foot swell with a short 8-second period in the afternoon – that’s windswell, not proper groundswell. Thursday the 20th morning is cleaner with a 3.3-foot SW swell and moderate offshore wind, but still on the small side.
Now for the good stuff. Friday the 21st of August is the standout. You’ve got a solid 4.6-foot to 5.2-foot SW groundswell, a long period of 14 to 16 seconds, and light to gentle cross-offshore winds keeping it glassy. The wave energy is pumping, hitting between 1436 and 1447 (moderate to strong). This is the pick – quality waves, easy paddling, and clean lines.
Saturday the 22nd keeps it going. Morning offshore winds with a 5.2-foot SW swell, period at 15 seconds – another very good session. Sunday the 23rd is also clean and consistent with 4.3-foot to 4.6-foot SW swell, light winds, and plenty of energy.
After that, it drops off fast. Monday the 24th is surfable but ordinary, and from Tuesday the 25th through to the end of the month, it’s a long stretch of poor conditions. Cross-onshore winds, lumpy, choppy – almost a week of nothing worth paddling out for. The 30th of August shows a 7.9-foot SW swell but with a short 9-second period and cross-onshore wind – messy. The 1st of September brings some offshore wind potential again, but it’s far out and marginal.
For a sheltered reef like Rhino Head, the sweet spot is clean offshore wind and long-period SW swell. Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd are your winners. Water temp at the start is around 59°, normal for this time of year. Crowds can show up here sometimes, so plan ahead. This spot is best for beginners when it’s under 5 feet; anything bigger is for the experienced surfers.
Stay stoked.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 8 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 748 | 729 | 489 | 687 | 458 | 255 | 232 | 291 | 476 | 477 | 783 | 1046 | 833 | 1436 | 1317 | 1103 | 955 | 881 | 691 | 1018 | 568 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:04PM0.76m | 4:43AM0.83m | 4:16PM0.66m | 5:12AM0.83m | 4:16PM0.57m | 5:43AM0.79m | 3:52PM0.52m | 6:19AM0.74m | 1:59PM0.52m | 7:29AM0.68m | 12:20PM0.72m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:14AM0.18m | 10:15PM0.08m | 10:49AM0.25m | 10:25PM0.09m | 11:23AM0.34m | 10:31PM0.11m | 12:00PM0.43m | 10:32PM0.12m | 1:14PM0.52m | 10:26PM0.13m | 10:07PM0.15m | 9:39PM0.15m | |||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | |  |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 748 | 729 | 489 | 687 | 458 | 255 | 232 | 255 | 218 | 477 | 783 | 1046 | 833 | 1436 | 1317 | 1103 | 955 | 881 | 691 | 1018 | 568 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 24 | SW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | NE 4 | — | SW 20 | SSW 18 | SW 10 | W 9 | SW 20 | SW 18 | — | — | SW 24 | SW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | — | — |
| kJ | 22 | 119 | 248 | 106 | 105 | 4 | — | 64 | 221 | 188 | 173 | 186 | 614 | — | — | 22 | 116 | 325 | 395 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 162 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | E 4 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | N 3 | NNW 4 | W 6 | WSW 8 | SW 11 | — | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 4 | 9 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 24 | 165 | 291 | 476 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 159 | 9 | 9 | 83 | 143 | 161 | 535 | 0 | 0 | 712 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 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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