
Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 18s period, SW swell with 8,509 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Onrus in the next 16 days are 4.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11PM. 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a solid run of surf on the way at Onrus. This is a reef setup, so expect a bit of a structured wave, and it’s inconsistent by nature, so you’ll need some patience. It’s an intermediate zone, but when it’s on, it’s worth the wait.
The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about.
We kick off Saturday morning, the 18th of July. It’s a bit cloudy with a light offshore breeze from the NW at 6 mph, and we’ve got a 4.6ft SW swell rolling in with a 9-second period. The combined energy is moderate (585), and the conditions are clean. It’s not the biggest, but it’s a fun, workable size. The afternoon cleans up into clear skies, the wind shifts cross-offshore, and the swell energy bumps up a bit (767). A solid start to the weekend.
Sunday the 19th is a step up. The morning sees a 5.6ft WSW swell with a 12-second period, giving the waves a bit more grunt. The wind is a moderate cross-offshore at 16 mph, keeping it clean. The energy is moderate (967). The real standout for the weekend, though, is Sunday afternoon. The swell jumps to 6.9ft from the SW at 11 seconds, the energy is strong (1051), and the wind is a light cross-offshore. This is where the experienced surfer gets a treat. The sets will have some punch.
Monday the 20th is a beauty of a morning. Glassy conditions, a 5.6ft SSW swell, and the energy is moderate (609). It’s clean, it’s calm, and it’s waiting for you. The afternoon gets a bit weaker with a shorter period 4.6ft swell, so get on it early.
Now, Tuesday the 21st of July is the highlight of the first week. The morning is glassy again, with a long-period 6.2ft SW groundswell at 14 seconds. The energy is strong (1337). This is a proper reef-swell combo. The long period will make for some better-shaped, more powerful waves, but with the longer gaps between sets. The afternoon is even better, with a 6.9ft SW swell at 13 seconds and a light cross-offshore wind, cranking the energy up to 1649. This is the best on offer for the window. The standouts are Tuesday morning and afternoon.
Wednesday the 22nd of July, the swell gets huge. We’re talking 11.5ft from the WSW with a 12-second period and a fresh offshore wind. The energy is massive (6114 in the morning, 2460 in the afternoon). But let’s be real, this is too big for this reef break. It’s expert territory only, and even then, it’s pushing the limits. For the average surfer, sit this one out.
Thursday the 23rd is a return to form. The morning is clean with a 6.9ft SW swell at 12 seconds, and the energy is still strong (1195). The afternoon keeps it going with the same size and a light cross-offshore wind, energy even higher (2838). A solid day.
Friday the 24th of July, we’re back to the big stuff. 11.5ft SW swell with a 15-second period, but the wind is onshore and cross-onshore. The energy is enormous (5255, 5330), but the conditions are messy. This one is a pass for paddle surfing. If you’re into kiting, that massive energy might be interesting, but for a surfboard, it’s a no-go.
Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th, the swell drops to 8.2ft and 7.9ft, but the wind is onshore and cross-onshore, making for choppy, poor conditions. The energy is still strong, but the quality is not there. The run goes flat for a few days here.
We’ve got a gap of poor conditions from Saturday the 25th through Monday the 27th. Monday the 27th is a write-off with strong onshore winds and a 8.2ft SSW swell making for a total mess.
Things start to look up again on Tuesday the 28th of July. The swell drops to a more manageable 4.6ft from the SW, and the wind is cross-offshore. The energy is moderate (739). It’s clean, but the quality is marginal.
Wednesday the 29th of July morning is a nice surprise. Glassy conditions
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the NW by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 8 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
369 | 307 | 345 | 718 | 802 | 945 | 1006 | 497 | 288 | 419 | 1292 | 1613 | 1514 | 3527 | 2460 | 1500 | 1188 | 996 | 8030 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 9:41PM1.14m | 10:45AM1.00m | 11:04PM1.11m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 4:32AM0.59m | 4:43PM0.67m | |||||||
— | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | |
5:52 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 8 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SE 11 | WSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 17 |
369 | 307 | 345 | 718 | 802 | 945 | 1006 | 497 | 288 | 419 | 1292 | 1613 | 1514 | 2587 | 30 | 1500 | 1188 | 996 | 8030 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | SW 13 | S 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | ESE 11 | — | — | ESE 11 | SE 13 | SW 18 | ESE 12 |
77 | 155 | 273 | 110 | 112 | 74 | 68 | 90 | 65 | 82 | 24 | 14 | 13 | — | — | 11 | 7 | 703 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 14 | S 11 | W 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 12 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | W 8 | — | — | SE 14 | — | WSW 12 | — |
10 | 123 | 149 | 116 | 53 | 32 | 60 | 22 | 79 | 92 | 21 | 22 | 5 | — | — | 7 | — | 241 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | — | — | W 12 | — |
— | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3527 | 2460 | — | — | 898 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 66 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 72 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
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.










