
Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,626 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s 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 15) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s 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 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Onrus in feet.
The coming stretch has some serious swell, but it’s a tricky one. The water is about 15°, which is a touch below the usual for this time of year, nothing too wild.
The first real standout is Thursday 16 July. That morning brings a clean 8ft SW groundswell, with a 13-second period and a light WNW offshore wind. The energy is solid (2108). This is proper reef surf for experienced folks—the swell is significant, but the offshore wind will keep the faces clean. The afternoon stays tidy with a 7ft SW swell and a cross-off breeze.
Friday 17 July is the money day. Friday morning is glassy, clean, with a 6ft SW swell and 11-second period. The energy is moderate (819). The wind is dead calm, the conditions are dreamy. For intermediate surfers, this is the best wave of the week. Friday afternoon stays glassy with a 5ft SW swell.
Then it gets huge. From Monday 21 July through to Tuesday 28 July, the swell is relentless, with heights over 8ft and often hitting 10ft to 18ft. The energy readings are massive (7602, 13486, 8183). This is big-wave territory, experts only. The winds are offshore or cross-off, so the faces will be clean, but Onrus is a reef, and with a 10ft+ SW swell and long periods, it’s going to be heavy, fast, and dangerous. The 15-second period swells on the 25th and 26th will be very long groundswell, bringing powerful lines but long waits between sets.
If you’re not charging, aim for Friday 17 July and Saturday 18 July morning. Friday is glassy and 6ft, and Saturday morning has a 5ft SW swell with a clean offshore breeze—both solid for intermediate surfers. Onrus can be inconsistent and gets crowded sometimes, so show up early.
The last couple of days, the 29th and 30th, the swell drops but the wind turns onshore, so that’s a washout.
Keep your head on a swivel—this is a reef, and the big swells will pull strong rips.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat night, min 12°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, strong winds from the NW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wed 22 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3519 | 2108 | 1452 | 1249 | 819 | 551 | 369 | 527 | 530 | 1248 | 792 | 391 | 304 | 433 | 382 | 1229 | 4351 | 4626 | 3543 | 2795 | 2904 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:29AM1.59m | 4:57PM1.67m | 5:12AM1.52m | 5:38PM1.64m | 5:54AM1.43m | 6:19PM1.56m | 6:36AM1.32m | 7:00PM1.46m | 7:20AM1.21m | 7:44PM1.34m | 8:10AM1.10m | 8:34PM1.23m | 9:16AM1.02m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:27PM0.10m | 10:42AM0.02m | 11:12PM0.12m | 11:22AM0.08m | 11:56PM0.18m | 12:01PM0.17m | 00:40AM0.26m | 12:39PM0.28m | 1:24AM0.36m | 1:19PM0.41m | 2:12AM0.46m | 2:05PM0.53m | 3:12AM0.54m | 3:08PM0.63m | |||||||
— | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | |
5:51 | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 |
3519 | 2108 | 1452 | 1249 | 819 | 551 | 369 | 527 | 265 | 1005 | 792 | 391 | 304 | 433 | 382 | 1229 | 4351 | 4626 | 3543 | 2795 | 2904 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | S 14 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | S 7 | W 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 |
18 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 77 | 118 | 87 | 63 | 110 | 167 | 68 | 66 | 163 | 393 | 31 | 30 | 11 | 11 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | E 11 | SW 16 | SW 14 | E 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | W 10 | SSE 9 | W 10 | SSE 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 9 | 10 | 153 | 9 | 57 | 52 | 90 | 94 | 17 | 65 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 9 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | W 3 | W 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NW 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 530 | 1248 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 26 | 184 | 315 | 11 | 10 | 509 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 0 | 253 | 273 | 206 | 60 | 72 |
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.











