
Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 17s period, SW swell with 2,523 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 2.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 11AM. 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 9s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks at our local reef, Onrus.
So, we’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the good news is it doesn’t stay flat for too long. The pattern is building towards a couple of solid windows of proper surf, with some real standouts peaking through.
Looking at the first batch of days, Tuesday the 11th is a write-off – strong cross-onshore winds and messy surf. Wednesday the 12th is still a bit of a mess with cross-shore chop, so don’t get too excited yet.
Alright, now we’re talking. Thursday morning, 13 August is where things start to get interesting. The swell is pushing 7 ft from the SW, with a period of 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is light and cross-offshore, which is going to leave the reef looking clean. This is a classic setup for the experienced crew. The combined energy is strong at 2820, so paddle out ready for some juice. This is a standout for the week.
Another solid window opens up Friday morning, 14 August. We’ve got a clean 5 ft from the WSW with a 15-second period and a light offshore wind from the WNW. It’s not as big as Thursday, but it’ll be just as clean and fun for the intermediate crowd. The energy is still solid at 1149.
Then, Saturday morning, 15 August – the wind drops to glassy. It’s a 5 ft swell from the WSW with a 14-second period. When the wind is glass, it’s a major positive, and the waves will be looking clean as a whistle. Energy is moderate at 893.
We’ve got another good one on Monday morning, 17 August. Swell bumps up to 7 ft from the WSW at 13 seconds, with a light offshore wind. That’s clean, punchy, and for the experienced surfers. Energy is strong at 1619.
The second week holds a couple of gems too. Thursday morning, 20 August is a bit of a dud with strong cross-onshore winds, so skip that. But Friday morning, 21 August has a lighter 5 ft from the SW with a light cross-offshore breeze and a 3/5 score, so it’s a good call for a clean session.
Looking further out, Saturday morning, 22 August is a promising one. The swell is a smaller 4 ft, but the period is a very long 16 seconds, and the wind is light cross-offshore. This is that classic long-period groundswell that will wrap into the reef beautifully. The energy is actually very strong at 1202, so don’t let the height fool you. It’s excellent for the experienced surfer.
Then, we’ve got a real barn burner on Tuesday morning, 25 August. The wind is glassy – dead calm. The swell is a solid 7 ft from the SW at 14 seconds. That’s a recipe for the best surf of the whole period. The reef will be firing with clean, powerful lines. Energy is strong at 1551. This is the one to circle on the calendar and get your board ready for.
So, overall, the best on offer is Thursday morning the 13th for the big, clean groundswell, and Tuesday morning the 25th for the glassy, perfect conditions. Don’t sleep on Friday the 14th, Monday the 17th, or Saturday the 22nd either.
Water temp is sitting at 59°, which is about 1° cooler than average for this time of year – nothing crazy, just a touch of the winter chill you’d expect.
Stay safe out there, and don’t forget to check the tides.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Tue night, calm by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 22 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1641 | 1798 | 1741 | 1899 | 2523 | 2058 | 1412 | 1102 | 974 | 889 | 876 | 837 | 829 | 920 | 834 | 1734 | 1734 | 1746 | 1245 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 2:49AM1.57m | 3:16PM1.67m | 3:31AM1.61m | 3:54PM1.73m | 4:09AM1.60m | 4:31PM1.74m | 4:46AM1.55m | 5:06PM1.69m | 5:21AM1.47m | 5:39PM1.60m | 5:55AM1.37m | 6:12PM1.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:47PM0.15m | 9:04AM0.04m | 9:30PM0.07m | 9:42AM-0.00m | 10:10PM0.04m | 10:18AM0.00m | 10:47PM0.05m | 10:52AM0.06m | 11:23PM0.12m | 11:25AM0.15m | 11:57PM0.21m | 11:56AM0.26m | 00:31AM0.33m | ||||||
— | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
6:08 | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 20 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 15 |
Feels °C | 5 | 8 | 16 | 11 | 16 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 22 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 |
1641 | 1798 | 1741 | 1899 | 2523 | 2058 | 1412 | 1102 | 974 | 889 | 876 | 837 | 829 | 920 | 834 | 1734 | 1734 | 1746 | 1245 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 22 | ESE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | — | ESE 11 |
278 | 108 | 68 | 653 | 143 | 69 | 36 | 42 | 137 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 61 | 26 | 18 | 20 | 33 | — | 40 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 10 | ESE 9 | SE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 29 | 46 | 106 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | E 4 | ESE 6 | E 4 | — | — | — | WNW 4 | W 4 | W 6 | — | ESE 9 | — | WNW 4 | W 4 | — | — | ESE 3 | — |
661 | 41 | 27 | 18 | — | — | — | 11 | 31 | 30 | — | 48 | — | 10 | 10 | — | — | 12 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 34 | 38 | 32 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 31 | 65 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 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.











