
Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 6,109 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the table for Onrus over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, so stick with me.
First up, the water temperature here is about average for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary. The protected reef setup at Onrus is a classic, but it's an inconsistent wave that needs a good SW groundswell to light up.
We’re starting off with a pulse of solid energy this Thursday (10th). The combined swell energy is ripping at (2061). We’re looking at a 7ft SW groundswell with a very long 15-second period. The problem is that cross-onshore wind is going to mess with the surface. It’s a bit of a tease – the power is there, but the conditions are marginal. Friday and Saturday are a total write-off with strong onshore winds and choppy, lumpy junk. The swell gets even bigger Saturday afternoon, hitting 10ft from the SSW with a 16-second period and huge energy (4671), but the wind is just too strong and onshore. A no-go for paddling, and honestly, that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than a proper paddle session.
We’ve got a dry spell for a few days here. The real turnaround comes late Monday (14th) and into Tuesday morning. The wind finally swings offshore – a clean, fresh NW breeze. Monday afternoon gives us a 5ft, clean wave with a shorter 8-second period, but the wind is offshore and it’s clean. Tuesday morning (15th) is the standout for the early part of the window. We’ve got a 2ft SW groundswell, but a very long 21-second period – that’s serious energy running deep. The wind is fresh offshore and clean. This is a true glassy, long-period groundswell that will wrap beautifully around the reef. The energy is moderate (656), but the quality will be high. It’s a smaller day, perfect for intermediates. Keep in mind that a long period like that can make the sets a bit shifty on the reef, but that’s where the magic lives.
The big boys show up again on Wednesday (16th). A 10ft SW swell with 14-second period is predicted, but the note says it’s simply too big for this break. Combined energy is monstrous (4226), but this is for experts only, and even then, it might be a washing machine. The wind is onshore too, so it’s a pass.
We get a few more days of choppy, cross-onshore wind again through the end of the week, with some moderate energy (1646 on Thursday). Friday (18th) afternoon flattens out a bit but the wind goes light.
Looking into the second week, the real promise is a long way off. On the 24th (Thursday) and 25th (Friday), we see another change. The wind goes offshore again – NW on Thursday and WNW on Friday. The swell is smaller, around 4ft to 4ft, with a solid 15-second period. The energy is moderate (700 range), but conditions are described as "very good." This is the best bet for the back half of the forecast. It’s a long way out, so don’t bank on it, but it’s a promising light at the end of the tunnel.
So, the true standout is the Tuesday morning (15th) session – that 21-second period groundswell with offshore wind is a rare treat. The second best, and more reliable for the less confident, is the Monday (14th) afternoon. For the second week, keep an eye on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th for a clean, smaller window.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Thu morning, fresh winds from the ESE by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, strong winds from the WNW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
667 | 2061 | 1648 | 1413 | 1209 | 647 | 330 | 1684 | 4105 | 2038 | 1203 | 801 | 537 | 291 | 220 | 190 | 424 | 1923 | 4826 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross |
High Tide | 2:35AM1.55m | 2:53PM1.70m | 3:11AM1.59m | 3:27PM1.75m | 3:45AM1.60m | 3:59PM1.73m | 4:17AM1.56m | 4:30PM1.67m | 4:48AM1.49m | 4:59PM1.58m | 5:18AM1.40m | 5:29PM1.45m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:34PM0.10m | 8:44AM0.06m | 9:11PM0.03m | 9:17AM0.03m | 9:45PM0.00m | 9:49AM0.04m | 10:16PM0.03m | 10:20AM0.09m | 10:46PM0.09m | 10:49AM0.17m | 11:15PM0.19m | 11:18AM0.28m | 11:43PM0.30m | ||||||
— | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
6:30 | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 14 |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
667 | 2061 | 1648 | 1413 | 1209 | 647 | 330 | 1684 | 4105 | 2038 | 1203 | 801 | 537 | 291 | 197 | 190 | 232 | 1923 | 4826 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | — | — | — | S 7 | — | SSE 7 | SW 20 | — | — | SSE 12 | SE 10 | SSE 7 | W 6 | SE 11 | ESE 12 | SW 21 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
280 | — | — | — | 89 | — | 105 | 188 | — | — | 14 | 60 | 36 | 73 | 33 | 15 | 424 | 102 | 40 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 11 | SE 12 | S 13 | — | ESE 13 | — | — |
8 | — | — | — | — | — | 88 | — | — | — | — | — | 76 | 83 | 3 | — | 16 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SE 6 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | W 3 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — |
— | — | — | — | 97 | 273 | 227 | 82 | 566 | 309 | 200 | 89 | 6 | 191 | 220 | 176 | 137 | 406 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 75 | 206 | 10 | 91 | 335 | 4 | 95 | 86 | 45 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 155 | 0 | 0 | 103 | 155 | 388 |
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.










