
Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,311 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 13s 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 (Jul 08) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 18s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
Let’s talk Onrus. This reef break is fickle – inconsistent as they come – but when it fires, it’s a beauty. Water temp is 59°F, right about average for the season.
Wednesday the 8th starts off clean: 7ft SW groundswell, 12 seconds, cross-off breeze – decent for experienced surfers. But afternoon the wind turns onshore and things get ugly. That pattern sticks through Thursday and Friday: solid 8ft SW swell but strong cross-onshore winds and chop. Not worth the effort.
Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th still have size (7 to 5ft) but the wind stays messy. Sunday afternoon the wind eases but the swell drops.
Monday the 13th brings a glassy morning with 3ft S swell, 10 seconds – small but clean. Nice for a relaxed paddle.
Tuesday the 14th is tiny (2ft) and glassy – surfable but boring.
Then the big stuff hits. Wednesday the 15th has a brief window of strong offshore wind but the swell is only 1ft, then a 7ft windswell with poor period. Skip it.
Highlight: Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th a massive pulse – 12ft SW with 12-second period, even 10ft on Friday. Too big for this break. Even with favourable wind, it’s expert-only and the reef will be a washing machine. Leave it.
The real winner is Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th. Saturday morning: 8ft SW, 12 seconds, cross-off wind, clean – excellent for experienced surfers. Combined energy is moderate at 1718. Afternoon goes glassy with 7ft SSW, same period – pure glass. That’s the session to circle. Crowds are possible (sometimes), but for quality like that you’ll have company. Sunday the 19th keeps it going: 5 to 4ft SSW, clean offshore NW wind, very good conditions.
Monday the 20th is still fun with 5ft WSW, 13 seconds, but fresh offshore wind makes it marginal. Then the swell fades and wind turns onshore Tuesday and Wednesday.
Another big pulse on Wednesday the 22nd – 10ft SW, 15 seconds, glassy morning – again too big for Onrus. The window closes with messy cross-onshore wind Thursday the 23rd.
Bottom line: plenty of waiting through chop and a huge swell that’s too much. But if you aim for Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th, you’ll get the best this fickle reef can offer. Watch the tide, bring your experience.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | W 10 | SW 13 | W 9 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1403 | 1776 | 3093 | 2644 | 2176 | 2678 | 2265 | 1944 | 1626 | 1231 | 1054 | 679 | 514 | 285 | 245 | 188 | 180 | 102 | 87 | 79 | 93 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:57AM1.14m | 9:26PM1.33m | 10:19AM1.13m | 10:43PM1.33m | 11:41AM1.18m | 11:59PM1.38m | 12:51PM1.28m | 1:06AM1.46m | 1:50PM1.39m | 2:04AM1.54m | 2:42PM1.51m | 2:56AM1.59m | 3:29PM1.60m | 3:44AM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:51PM0.48m | 4:04AM0.42m | 4:11PM0.51m | 5:24AM0.37m | 5:37PM0.48m | 6:36AM0.29m | 6:52PM0.39m | 7:37AM0.19m | 7:55PM0.28m | 8:30AM0.10m | 8:50PM0.19m | 9:17AM0.04m | 9:40PM0.12m | ||||||||
7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
1403 | 1776 | 3093 | 2644 | 2176 | 2678 | 2265 | 1944 | 1626 | 1231 | 1054 | 679 | 514 | 285 | 245 | 188 | 180 | 102 | 87 | 79 | 56 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | S 11 | — | — | SW 13 | — | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 12 | W 11 | SE 7 | W 10 | W 10 | W 12 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 12 |
679 | 536 | 114 | — | — | 290 | — | 14 | 75 | 87 | 89 | 101 | 85 | 54 | 50 | 47 | 103 | 61 | 61 | 41 | 93 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | W 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 10 | SW 13 | SW 15 | S 9 |
10 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 41 | 84 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 36 | 80 | 76 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — | — | E 3 | ENE 3 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 8 | 3 | 174 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 32 | 10 | 23 | 38 | 10 | 23 | 23 | 10 | 23 | 38 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 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.










