Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 3,318 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period with WSW 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period. 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 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. We’ve only got one spot worth talking about for the next couple weeks – Onrus, a reef break that faces southwest. It’s an inconsistent wave, so don’t count on it running every day, but when it does, it packs a punch. Water temp is about average for the season, nothing out of the ordinary.
Things kick off Monday 17 August. Morning is your best bet: an 8ft swell from the WSW with a solid 13-second period, and a light WNW offshore breeze. The energy is pumping (2084), and it’ll be clean. This is a groundswell, great for the reef, though the sets will be spaced out. It’s for experienced surfers only – too big for beginners. The afternoon fades with a cross-offshore wind, less quality.
Tuesday 18 August is a skip – onshore wind in the morning, and the swell hits 10ft in the afternoon, way too big for this break.
Wednesday 19 August morning has a cross-shore breeze, but the afternoon cleans up with a WSW cross-offshore wind and a 8ft SW swell at 12 seconds. Decent for the experienced crew.
Thursday 20 August is another oversized day – 10ft SW swell both sessions, too big for paddling. Onshore wind doesn’t help.
Friday 21 August fades to 7ft in the morning with onshore wind, and the afternoon drops to 5ft from the SSW with choppy cross-onshore conditions. Not worth it.
Saturday 22 August morning is a highlight: a 6ft SW swell with a light WNW cross-offshore breeze – clean. Energy is moderate (963). Afternoon jumps back to 10ft, too big again.
Sunday 23 August morning offers a 8ft SSW swell at a long 14 seconds, but a light cross-onshore wind leaves some ripples. Energy is very strong (3169), but that wind is a drag.
From Monday 24 August through Tuesday 25 August, onshore winds ruin things. Skip these days.
Wednesday 26 August afternoon is a standout: a 7ft SW swell at 14 seconds, with a light W cross-offshore breeze. Clean, strong energy (1956), and excellent for experienced surfers.
Thursday 27 August has onshore wind in the morning, not great. Friday 28 August morning brings a 7ft WSW swell with a light offshore WNW breeze – clean and good for the experienced.
Saturday 29 August morning sees 12ft SW swell – too big. Afternoon is 7ft but with a fresh WSW cross-offshore wind, a bit rough.
Sunday 30 August is smaller – 7ft SW swell with light cross-shore winds, okay but not the best.
The crown jewel is Monday 31 August morning. The swell is 7ft from the SW at 12 seconds, and the wind is glass – dead calm, mirror-flat conditions. Energy is moderate-strong (1357). This is the cleanest session of the whole forecast. Still for experienced surfers due to size, but it’ll be magic. Afternoon turns onshore, so get in early.
Tuesday 1 September closes with a 8ft SW swell and strong cross-onshore wind – choppy and poor. That’s it.
Onrus is inconsistent, so you’ve gotta pick your moments. Top picks: Monday 31 August morning for that glassy perfection, and Wednesday 26 August afternoon for clean, powerful waves. Get out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2830 | 2084 | 1872 | 1575 | 1572 | 2458 | 2044 | 1665 | 1451 | 1715 | 3318 | 2457 | 1513 | 952 | 469 | 291 | 963 | 1905 | 1500 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 5:55AM1.37m | 6:12PM1.47m | 6:30AM1.25m | 6:46PM1.33m | 7:08AM1.13m | 7:25PM1.19m | 7:59AM1.02m | 8:25PM1.07m | 9:40AM0.94m | 10:21PM1.01m | 11:56AM0.98m | 00:08AM1.06m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:57PM0.21m | 11:56AM0.26m | 00:31AM0.33m | 12:28PM0.39m | 1:06AM0.45m | 1:02PM0.53m | 1:50AM0.57m | 1:50PM0.65m | 3:11AM0.66m | 3:39PM0.74m | 5:33AM0.65m | 6:08PM0.70m | |||||||
— | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | |
6:13 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 13 |
2830 | 2084 | 1872 | 1575 | 1572 | 2458 | 2044 | 1665 | 1451 | 1715 | 3318 | 2457 | 1513 | 952 | 469 | 260 | 963 | 1905 | 1500 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 11 | E 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | — | — | SSW 12 |
— | 23 | 17 | 434 | 1144 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 517 | 379 | 291 | — | — | 970 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 11 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 9 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — | NW 4 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 10 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 0 | 65 | 0 | 4 | 335 | 10 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 335 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Overberg | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











