Onrus Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve got the lowdown on what’s coming up for the next couple of weeks. Let’s cut straight to it.

Overall, the pattern is a mixed bag with some real clean windows between windier, messier days. The good news is that when the wind drops, the waves are decent. The water temperature is sitting at 59° – that’s about 1° cooler than normal for this time of year, so not a big shift, but you’ll feel it’s a touch on the chilly side for a late August/early September session.

The standout window is hands down Sunday morning, August 23rd at Onrus (reef). We’ve got a solid 7ft SW groundswell with a 13-second period, producing a combined swell energy of 1527 (moderate-to-strong). The wind is glassy out of the east at just 3 mph, so the surface is going to be clean and inviting. This is a solid intermediate-to-advanced session – not one for beginners, but if you’re experienced, you’re in for a treat. The swell is out of the SW, which is the optimum direction for this reef, so it’ll be well-shaped and lined up. Crowds are possible here, but that’s the price for a spot that works this well.

Now, that Sunday afternoon and all of Monday and Tuesday are looking marginal thanks to onshore winds and choppy conditions. The swell energy drops off, and the wind spoils any real quality. Tuesday morning actually has a bigger 8ft SW swell (14-second period, 2533 energy), but with a 12 mph cross-onshore wind, it’s choppy and messy. Not worth paddling out.

Wednesday the 26th is a write-off – strong winds and lumpy conditions. Just stay home.

Then we get a brief reprieve Thursday morning, August 27th. The wind goes glassy again out of the west at just 3 mph, and there’s a 5ft S swell with an 11-second period. The energy is moderate (829), and the surf is clean and well-shaped. This is a solid second option, but it’s not as powerful as the Sunday session. The afternoon looks similar, so if you miss the morning, the afternoon will still be glassy.

Friday and Saturday are back to messy or windy conditions, with a short-period (7-second) lumpy swell on Saturday afternoon. Not worth it.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting but also a bit tricky. Sunday, August 30th sees a big bump in size – 12ft to 13ft SW groundswell, with a 12-second period and massive energy readings of 3562 and 4773. The wind is offshore (cross-offshore) and clean, but the swell is too big for Onrus. This is a spot that’s a reef, and with that size, only the most experienced, well-equipped surfers should even think about it. For most, it’s a pass.

Monday, August 31st and Tuesday, September 1st are the real highlights for the second week. Monday morning sees a 8ft WSW swell (10 seconds, 1427 energy) with a light offshore wind out of the NW at 9 mph. The surf is clean and lined up. Tuesday is even better: a 8ft SW swell (11-12 seconds, 1572-1742 energy) with a gentle offshore wind. This is consistent, clean, and powerful – ideal for intermediate-to-advanced surfers. These are the days to circle.

The rest of the period from September 2nd onward is either too big, too windy, or too messy. September 3rd and 4th see absolutely massive 25ft to 26ft swells (with 16-17-second periods and energy readings over 30,000 to 52,000) – that’s firmly in the “don’t even try” category unless you’re a big-wave specialist with a tow-in setup. The wind is cross-shore and messy, so it’s not even clean. September 5th morning is glassy but the 10ft S swell is still too big for this reef. After that, it’s all cross-onshore winds and lumpy, poor surf.

So, to sum it up: *Sunday morning, August 23rd* is the standout for quality, clean waves. *Monday, August 31st* and *Tuesday, September 1st* are the best bets for the second week – clean, powerful, and manageable. Keep your eyes on those days, and don’t bother with the rest.

Rusty.

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