Onrus Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° S 19.17° E

Onrus Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 22 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Onrus sea temperature is
14.7°C
1.1° 

Onrus surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Onrus surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,293 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Onrus in the next 16 days are 2.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sat 22nd Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 11s
Best Surf11PM (Sat 22nd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 11s
Most Powerful 2PM (Tue 25th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s on the cards for Onrus over the next couple of weeks.

This is a spot that’s exposed to the south-west swell, and being a reef break it can handle some size, but it’s inconsistent and it’s picky about conditions. The water’s sitting at 59° right now, which is about a degree and a half colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll feel that kick on a dawn session.

Right now, through Saturday afternoon, there’s a bit of swell in the water – around 4ft from the SW with moderate wave energy (507). Winds are cross-off from the west at 12 mph, so it’s clean and rideable, but the scores are only so-so. Not a standout, but it’s a start.

Come Sunday morning the 23rd, this is where it gets interesting. We’ve got a solid 7ft SW groundswell, period hitting 13 seconds, and the energy jumps right up (1527). The wind is glassy from the ESE at just 3 mph. That’s your top pick for the whole run – clean, powerful, and lined up for the reef. This is the session to make a plan for. Sunday afternoon sees a slight shift, with a cross-on breeze and a touch of wind ripple, so the morning is the one.

Monday the 24th drops back a notch – the swell eases to 6ft, period 12 seconds, and the wind is onshore from the SE. It’s gonna be a bit lumpy. Not a write-off, but nothing special.

Tuesday the 25th looks messy. Swell is still solid at 8-8ft with very high energy (2128-2573), but the wind is onshore and gusty at 12-19 mph, and the comments say poor conditions. For a reef break, that’s a session to skip. The chop will make it a battle. The swell’s too big for most too.

Wednesday the 26th is a write-off, with strong cross-onshore winds and lumpy, choppy surf. Not worth paddling out.

Then we get a nice little reprieve on Thursday the 27th. Swell drops to 4ft from the south, period 11 seconds, but the wind is glassy – dead calm in the afternoon, even. Wave energy is moderate (544-579). It’ll be clean and fun, but smaller. A good option if you want a cruisy session without the crowds chaos. Winds are light.

Friday the 28th is back to small and cross-onshore – only 3-4ft, with a long period of 16 seconds, but period that long on a reef can make it a bit walled up. The wind is onshore, so not ideal.

Saturday the 29th morning has potential. Offshore wind from the NW at 16 mph, clean, and a 4ft SW swell at 14 seconds. Moderate energy (834). That offshore breeze will hold it up nicely on the reef. The afternoon blows out with a strong cross-off, so the window is narrow.

Now, from Sunday the 30th into the first week of September, the model is showing some serious size – like, possibly too much. Sunday morning the 30th is calling for 16ft at 13 seconds from the WSW. That’s over 16000 energy units. Even with favourable wind, that is well into the ‘too big for the break’ zone – you’d be looking at it from the cliffs. Monday the 31st morning eases to a more manageable 6ft, with glassy wind and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That’s a good shout if the drop in size holds true.

September 1st (Tuesday) has 8ft on the cards, but cross-onshore wind, so it’s going to be lumpy.

Wednesday September 2nd morning looks really clean again with offshore NW winds at 12 mph and a solid 6ft SW groundswell (1149). That’s another quality window.

Then from September 3rd onwards, it gets wild again – 12ft, 16ft, 20ft swells rolling through, all way too big for this spot, even with clean winds. Friday the 5th afternoon actually has a 8ft swell with a very long 21-second period and clean cross-off winds – that’s an interesting one for the reef, but that period is extreme and it might just run straight.

Best on offer: Sunday morning the 23rd is the absolute standout. After that, Thursday the 27th is a nice little glassy session, and Wednesday September 2nd morning is another solid call for clean, chest-high lines.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Wed morning, calm by Thu afternoon).

Sat
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
3
3
3
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
11
1.3
SW
12
2.2
SW
13
2.1
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
12
1.8
SW
12
1.3
WSW
11
2.2
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.4
SW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.1
SW
12
1.3
SSW
11
1.3
S
11
1.3
S
11
1.2
S
11
0.8
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
396
420
1527
1385
972
857
387
1956
2020
2285
946
512
336
422
426
403
338
326
474
602
Wind (km/h)
20
W
5
NE
5
ESE
10
S
5
E
10
SSE
10
SSE
15
E
20
E
30
ESE
35
E
35
ENE
25
E
20
ENE
5
W
0
SSE
5
W
10
E
15
E
15
N
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
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
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:13
7:13
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:16
6:17
6:17
6:19
6:20
6:21
6:21
 mm
Temp °C
17
15
14
15
13
15
16
12
14
18
14
16
21
17
22
22
18
24
29
25
Feels °C
12
14
13
13
12
13
14
10
10
13
9
10
16
15
20
19
17
21
26
22
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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