Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,293 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (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 Onrus. Over the next couple weeks, there’s some real gems, but you’ll have to dodge the wind and the big stuff.
Sunday the 23rd of August morning is the one to circle. The water’s 59°, which is a touch colder than normal for this time of year – so bring the rubber. The swell’s a solid 7ft out of the southwest with a 13-second period, packing some serious energy (1527). The wind is glassy from the ESE at just 3 mph. This reef break is exposed to that SW groundswell and the conditions are prime – clean, powerful, and lined up. It’s only for experienced surfers though, and the break can be inconsistent, plus crowds are possible. But if you’re good enough, this is the session.
Sunday afternoon gets a little bumpy as the wind picks up to 6 mph from the south, cross-on. The swell is still 7ft, but it’s not as clean.
Monday the 24th is mostly messy with onshore wind and dropping swell – not worth your time.
Tuesday the 25th morning sees a solid 8ft SW swell with very high energy (2487), but it’s blown out by 12 mph cross-on wind from the east. Afternoon is even worse – 22 mph onshore.
Wednesday the 26th is a total loss: strong wind, lumpy surf under 4ft.
Thursday the 27th morning turns it around: light cross-off wind from the west at 3 mph, clean 5ft south swell with 11 seconds. Not huge, but smooth and rideable. Thursday afternoon is even better – dead calm, glassy conditions, 5ft south swell, same period. That’s an afternoon session you’ll remember.
Friday the 28th is small and onshore – forget it.
Saturday the 29th morning has a moderate offshore breeze from the northwest at 16 mph, with a 4ft WSW swell and a 14-second period. Clean but small. The afternoon jumps to 25 mph offshore and a 8ft swell, but the period drops to 6 seconds – clean, but tough to catch.
Sunday the 30th is windy and small.
Monday the 31st morning has fresh offshore wind at 19 mph, 6ft WSW swell with 12 seconds – clean but windy.
September 1st and 2nd bring a massive 10ft SW swell with extreme energy (2961). The 2nd has offshore wind and clean waves, but it’s way too big for this break – experts only.
Thursday the 3rd is still big but cleaner, and Friday the 4th drops to 4ft with light wind – a nice, easy day.
Second week gets a bit shaky. Saturday the 6th of September morning has a tiny 2ft SW swell with light offshore wind – clean but small. The afternoon jumps to 8ft with short period and cross-on chop.
Monday the 7th of September morning has offshore wind and 8ft swell with a 9-second period – doable for experts. The afternoon hits 12ft from the southwest with 12 seconds and extreme energy (3008), which is just too big for the spot.
Best bets: Sunday the 23rd morning for the standout glassy, powerful conditions. Thursday the 27th afternoon for clean, fun waves without the heavy size. After that, pick the small clean days around the 4th and 6th. Stay on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, strong winds from the E by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Wed morning, calm by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SSW 16 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 14 | W 6 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1527 | 1385 | 988 | 793 | 425 | 2082 | 2261 | 1637 | 1083 | 444 | 475 | 765 | 596 | 492 | 475 | 338 | 274 | 233 | 447 | 437 | 569 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | on | on | cross | off | off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:02PM1.68m | 4:16AM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:50AM0.07m | 10:15PM0.09m | ||||||||
7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
— | 6:17 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 14 | 16 | 21 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 24 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 14 | S 11 | WSW 13 |
1527 | 1385 | 988 | 793 | 425 | 2082 | 2261 | 1637 | 1083 | 349 | 431 | 765 | 596 | 492 | 475 | 338 | 274 | 233 | 447 | 83 | 569 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 14 | WSW 11 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | WSW 13 | SSW 16 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 12 | S 11 | ESE 7 | SSE 10 |
— | — | — | 76 | 387 | 116 | 226 | 178 | 52 | 444 | 475 | 167 | 123 | 106 | 69 | 68 | 243 | 167 | 149 | 20 | 34 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | WSW 12 | SSW 15 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 11 | WSW 15 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 7 |
— | — | — | — | 223 | — | — | — | 253 | 362 | 245 | 87 | 110 | 42 | 56 | 71 | 65 | 196 | 34 | — | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 4 | — | — | W 4 | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 3 | W 6 | W 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 220 | 234 | 229 | 5 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 437 | 49 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 65 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 23 | 335 | 86 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 103 | 275 |
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.











