Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 3,334 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period with SW 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Onrus in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let's get into it.
The main event is a solid run of south-west swell hitting Onrus, but it's a bit of a mixed bag with the size and wind. We've got a couple of real gems hidden in the week ahead, so let's get after it.
Wednesday morning the 19th kicks off with a 8ft SW swell at 12 seconds, but the cross wind makes it a bit of a struggle. The combined energy is strong at 1665, but it's not the cleanest. That arvo shapes up better though, with the same solid 8ft SW swell and a cross-off wind making for cleaner lines and 1451 combined energy. It's still big, so it's for the experienced crew.
Now, Thursday the 20th is where we hit a real standout. The morning is looking absolutely firing. We've got a 10ft SW groundswell with a long 13-second period, and the wind is glassy. The combined energy is ripping at 3126. This is serious power. However, the guidance says this is too big for Onrus itself, so only the most skilled locals will be on it. That afternoon it stays at 10ft, but the cross-on wind takes the shine off.
Friday the 21st is a write-off. The swell drops and the cross-on wind gets messy. Not one to bother with.
Saturday the 22nd morning brings a surprise. A 4ft SSW swell with a fresh offshore wind from the NW. It's clean as a whistle, but the energy is low at 537. It's small but clean. The arvo sees a 7ft SW swell pick up, but it's cross-off, so it's alright but not special.
Sunday the 23rd is another absolute beauty for the early crew. That big SW swell is back, 8ft at 13 seconds, and the wind is glassy again. Combined energy is a whopping 2242. This is a proper groundswell, but at this size and period it's going to be a freight train on the reef. Only for the experts, but it'll be a memorable session if you're up for it. The afternoon gets a cross wind, so get out early.
Monday the 24th is a good option for a wider crew. The swell drops to a more manageable 6ft SW, still with a good 11-second period, and the wind is glassy. Combined energy is a moderate 955, so it's got push but it's not terrifying. Both the morning and afternoon are glassy, so you could get a long, clean session in. This is the pick for the average surfer this week.
Tuesday the 25th is a mess. The swell is still solid at 8ft, but the cross-on wind is strong and choppy. Forget it.
Wednesday the 26th is a return to good form. A 6ft SW swell, glassy in the morning and cross-off in the arvo, with a moderate energy around 986. Clean and fun for the intermediate surfer.
Thursday the 27th sees the swell drop right off. Small and clean but not much to write home about.
Friday the 28th is onshore and messy with a 8ft swell. Not great.
Saturday the 29th brings a monster. An 12ft to 13ft SW swell with massive energy (5040-6407). This is way too big for this break and the wind is onshore. A complete pass.
Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are all blown out with strong onshore winds. The swell is still big, but the conditions are terrible.
Into the second week, Tuesday the 1st of September has a solid 8ft WSW swell with a fresh cross-off wind. It's clean but big, and the energy is strong at 2446. It's a big-wave option again. Wednesday the 2nd morning looks the best of the week: a 6ft WSW groundswell with a gentle offshore wind from the NW, and 1489 energy. Clean and powerful. The arvo gets a short-period 13ft W swell which is just too messy and big. Thursday the 3rd is a massive 16ft WSW swell with a 14-second period, combined energy of 10165. It's huge and clean with a cross-off wind, but it's an absolute beast that only the most insane charger would touch.
To be honest, the true standout for the whole period is Thursday the 20th and Sunday the 23rd for the big-wave specialists, but for the everyday surfer, Monday the 24th is your best bet for clean, glassy, and manageable waves. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, no major anomaly.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Sat morning, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1665 | 1451 | 1848 | 3126 | 2212 | 1336 | 952 | 485 | 367 | 384 | 1298 | 2693 | 2008 | 1572 | 1162 | 497 | 441 | 1398 | 1568 | 1223 | 853 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:25PM1.19m | 7:59AM1.02m | 8:25PM1.07m | 9:40AM0.94m | 10:21PM1.01m | 11:56AM0.98m | 00:08AM1.06m | 1:01PM1.09m | 1:04AM1.17m | 1:39PM1.22m | 1:42AM1.27m | 2:10PM1.34m | 2:15AM1.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:02PM0.53m | 1:50AM0.57m | 1:50PM0.65m | 3:11AM0.66m | 3:39PM0.74m | 5:33AM0.65m | 6:08PM0.70m | 6:49AM0.56m | 7:10PM0.59m | 7:30AM0.44m | 7:48PM0.48m | 8:02AM0.33m | 8:19PM0.37m | ||||||||
7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | |
— | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 13 |
1665 | 1451 | 1848 | 3126 | 2212 | 1336 | 952 | 485 | 367 | 384 | 990 | 2693 | 2008 | 1572 | 1162 | 497 | 441 | 1398 | 1568 | 1223 | 749 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | SSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 17 | — | — | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 |
2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 436 | 379 | 291 | 141 | 29 | — | — | 387 | 84 | 320 | 325 | 194 | 18 | 241 | 853 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | S 21 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | — | S 21 | S 11 | SSW 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 118 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 183 | 178 | — | 9 | 9 | 72 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | — | W 4 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | SE 4 | E 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 32 | — | 36 | 1298 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 26 | 33 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 32 | 0 | 10 | 25 | 10 | 23 | 4 | 50 | 60 | 31 | 10 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 23 | 4 | 10 |
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.











