Onrus Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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.

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