Onrus Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.41° S 19.17° E

Onrus Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Onrus sea temperature is
15.5° C
0.0° 

Onrus surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Onrus surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 7,094 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Onrus in the next 16 days are 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Mon 20th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 10s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul)10ft (3.0m) 18s
Most Powerful11PM (Thu 23rd Jul)11ft (3.5m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s in store for the next couple of weeks. We’re focusing on one spot, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag, so pay attention.

Overall, we’ve got a solid run of swell coming in, but it’s going to be a wild ride. The water temp is sitting at 60 °F, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing to write home about there.

The first real action we can talk about kicks off on Monday morning, the 20th of July, at Onrus (reef). We’ve got a clean 6 ft swell from the SW, with a period of 10 seconds. The wind is light offshore from the NW, and the combined energy is moderate at 601. It’s an inconsistent break, so don’t expect a wave every minute, but when they come through, they’ll be clean. The crowd is only a *sometimes* problem, so you might get a few to yourself. This is a decent start.

Come Monday afternoon, the swell drops to 4 ft, and the wind shifts to a cross-offshore, which isn’t as nice. The score drops right off, so I’d be looking at that morning session.

Now, Tuesday the 21st sees a big jump in size. 8 ft from the SW, but it’s a cross-shore wind in the morning, making things messy. The afternoon is cross-onshore, so it’s a bit of a write-off. That combined energy is massive at 2471, but with the bumpy conditions, it’s not a day to get excited.

Wednesday the 22nd is a step in the right direction. The swell is 7 ft from the SW, with a period of 12 seconds, and the wind is cross-offshore from the WNW. The water is clean, but it’s a moderate breeze at 12 mph. The energy is still strong at 1340. It’s surfable, but not a standout.

Keep your eyes on Thursday afternoon, the 23rd of July. This is one of the best moments on offer. The swell is 8 ft from the SW, period of 10 seconds, and the wind goes completely glassy. It’s a light rain, but the surface will be like a mirror. The combined energy is 1431. Remember, this spot is an inconsistent reef, but when it turns glassy like this, it can be magic. This is a true standout for the period.

Friday the 24th is a big no-go for most of us. The swell jumps to 12 ft from the SW with a long 14-second period. The combined energy is a massive 4572. That’s expert-only territory, and the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, making it a real mess. The vibe is more for the chargers or the kite surfers, not a paddle session.

The weekend of the 25th and 26th sees the swell drop back down. Saturday the 25th is a write-off with cross-onshore winds and 8 ft swell. Sunday the 26th, however, is a different story. The morning has a 6 ft SW swell with a 12-second period, and a light cross-offshore wind. The afternoon goes glassy again. The energy is 1268. This is another solid window, especially for the more experienced surfer, as it’s still a sizeable wave.

The following week gets interesting again. Monday the 27th morning is glassy, with a 6 ft SW swell and a 13-second period. Energy is 1287. It’s clean. But watch out for Monday afternoon – a gale-force offshore wind from the NW at 40 mph will make it impossible to paddle into. The swell is 12 ft, but you won’t get on one.

The rest of the week from the 28th of July onwards is all about big swell and strong winds. The swell sits between 8 ft and 13 ft. The energy is through the roof, hitting 5233 on the 28th afternoon. The winds are offshore or cross-offshore, but when the swell is over 8 ft, it’s experts only. The 30th of July afternoon and the 31st of July morning have a cleaner offshore wind and a 8 ft to 8 ft swell, which is about the limit for a fun day. The 31st afternoon gets too strong again.

The first of August sees very strong winds, making it a battle. The 2nd of August is a drop back to 4 ft, and the 3rd of August is small, weak, and not worth the paddle.

So, the two standouts? Thursday afternoon, the 23rd of July, with that glassy surface and a solid 8 ft swell, and Sunday morning, the 26th of July, with clean conditions and a 6 ft swell. Get on those if you can.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
3
3
2
3
3
2
2
3
4
!
!
!
2
1
1
3
4
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SW
10
1.3
SW
9
0.8
SSW
16
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
13
2.3
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
2
SW
12
1.4
WSW
12
2.5
WSW
11
2.3
SW
10
4
SW
16
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.4
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
2
SW
12
1.9
SW
12
1.9
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
535
243
314
2436
2390
1569
1292
1094
589
1546
1049
7024
4572
3544
2462
1972
1335
1107
997
1007
895
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
15
W
5
NW
5
NE
10
SSE
10
ENE
20
WNW
25
W
20
NNW
20
W
5
WSW
15
E
15
E
20
SE
20
E
20
E
15
E
15
NE
5
N
0
SW
5
N
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
glassy
glassy
High Tide
7:44PM1.34m
8:10AM1.10m
8:34PM1.23m
9:16AM1.02m
9:41PM1.14m
10:45AM1.00m
11:04PM1.11m
12:12PM1.04m
00:20AM1.14m
1:12PM1.12m
1:16AM1.21m
1:55PM1.21m
1:58AM1.29m
Low Tide
1:19PM0.41m
2:12AM0.46m
2:05PM0.53m
3:12AM0.54m
3:08PM0.63m
4:32AM0.59m
4:43PM0.67m
5:58AM0.57m
6:16PM0.65m
7:01AM0.50m
7:17PM0.57m
7:46AM0.42m
8:01PM0.49m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:45
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:41
7:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:55
5:57
5:58
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
15
16
14
13
15
12
14
15
13
13
13
13
12
16
13
15
20
19
23
25
19
Feels °C
12
12
12
12
14
9
11
10
9
9
10
12
9
14
9
12
17
16
20
22
19
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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