Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,390 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Onrus this week:
The surf forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Onrus in the next 16 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's cooking at Onrus.
We've got a mixed bag ahead. The week starts a bit slow, but there’s some proper swell on the horizon for the experienced crew, especially if you’re patient. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is a bit colder than what we’d normally expect for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.
The first couple of days are pretty average. Saturday the 22nd has waist-high swell around 4ft from the SSW with a 12-second period, but the cross-off shore breeze just makes it marginal. Not worth getting too excited about.
Sunday the 23rd morning is your first real standout. The wind goes glassy from the ESE at just 3 mph, and the swell jumps to a solid 7ft from the SW with a 13-second period. The wave energy is strong (1527), and the conditions will be glassy. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but at over 5ft, it’s getting a bit much for beginners. It’s a reef break that can be inconsistent, so you’ll need to pick your moments.
We then hit a rough patch from Monday the 24th through Wednesday the 26th. Onshore winds and generally poor, lumpy conditions mean you’re better off doing something else. Thursday the 27th morning offers a brief window of clean, glassy 4ft waves, but the energy is weak (634) – it’s more of a longboard and recovery session.
The next real standout hits Saturday the 29th morning. We get a clean, moderate offshore breeze from the NW and a solid 4ft swell from the WSW, but it’s packing a 14-second period and strong energy (1109). The offshore wind will groom it into nice lines. This is another one for the experienced crew.
Sunday the 30th sees the swell jump up. The morning has 10ft from the SW, but the forecast flags it as too big for this break. The afternoon, however, is a solid 8ft from the SW with a clean offshore wind from the WNW. Excellent for experienced surfers, but that’s a big wave.
The first week of September brings more size. Wednesday the 2nd afternoon is a monster, but not for paddling. You’re looking at a 13ft groundswell from the SW with an 18-second period. The combined energy is extreme (11107). The wind is glassy, but this is strictly for the big-wave chargers or maybe the tow crew. For the average punter, it’s a no-go.
Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th continue with strong, clean offshores and big swell (12ft and 7ft respectively), but again, the size will limit it to experts only. Saturday the 5th morning offers a slight drop to a still-chunky 8ft from the SW with a clean cross-off breeze.
Overall, the best windows for experienced surfers are Sunday the 23rd morning and Saturday the 29th morning. For the well-equipped expert, the sessions around the 2nd to the 5th of September are massive but will demand respect. The inconsistent nature of this reef means you might wait a while for the set, but when it comes, it’ll be worth it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Tue night, calm by Thu morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
451 | 488 | 479 | 1527 | 1385 | 988 | 857 | 387 | 2148 | 2261 | 2261 | 1474 | 512 | 423 | 618 | 410 | 403 | 279 | 329 | 612 | 621 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:56AM0.98m | 00:08AM1.06m | 1:01PM1.09m | 1:04AM1.17m | 1:39PM1.22m | 1:42AM1.27m | 2:10PM1.34m | 2:15AM1.37m | 2:38PM1.46m | 2:45AM1.46m | 3:06PM1.56m | 3:15AM1.52m | 3:34PM1.64m | 3:45AM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:08PM0.70m | 6:49AM0.56m | 7:10PM0.59m | 7:30AM0.44m | 7:48PM0.48m | 8:02AM0.33m | 8:19PM0.37m | 8:29AM0.23m | 8:48PM0.27m | 8:56AM0.15m | 9:17PM0.18m | 9:23AM0.10m | 9:46PM0.12m | ||||||||
7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | |
— | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 24 | 29 | 25 |
Feels °C | 11 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 27 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
451 | 488 | 479 | 1527 | 1385 | 988 | 857 | 387 | 2148 | 2261 | 2261 | 1474 | 512 | 423 | 618 | 410 | 403 | 279 | 329 | 612 | 621 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | SW 17 | SW 12 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | W 11 | — | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | S 14 | WSW 14 | S 11 | S 11 |
173 | 12 | 376 | — | — | — | 70 | 294 | 116 | — | 199 | 510 | 368 | 297 | 164 | 156 | 145 | 186 | 166 | 231 | 202 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 15 | S 15 | WSW 11 | WSW 16 | S 14 | ESE 7 |
— | — | 264 | — | — | — | — | 203 | — | — | — | — | 288 | 138 | 73 | 68 | 109 | 95 | 234 | 59 | 29 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | NE 4 | — | — | — | ESE 9 | ESE 5 | WNW 5 |
8 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50 | 155 | 199 | 3 | — | — | — | 62 | 32 | 48 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 23 | 91 | 45 | 38 | 38 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Overberg | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Onrus Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Onrus provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Onrus can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Onrus 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 (Onrus) 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 Onrus 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.
Onrus is 6 km (4 miles) from Hermanus. If you plan a holiday in Overberg, look for hotels and other accommodation in Hermanus. Hermanus has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











