
Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,697 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s 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 (Aug 08) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 14s period. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Onrus.
We’ve got a solid run of swell on the way, but it’s not all going to be easy to tap into. The early part of the outlook is dominated by a big, powerful SW groundswell that’s going to be a handful. The break itself is a reef setup, so it can handle a bit of size, but when it’s pushing over 8 feet, it’s strictly for the experienced crew. The water temp is about average for this time of year, no real surprises there.
The first real chance to get amongst it kicks off on Saturday morning, the 8th of August. We’ve got a clean 8 feet of SW swell rolling in with a 13-second period, combined energy of 2158 (moderate-to-strong), and a nice offshore NW breeze. That’s excellent, clean surf for those who know what they’re doing on a reef. This is the standout of the early window. The afternoon gets messy with a cross-shore wind, and the swell jumps to 12 feet. That’s way too much for this spot and the rating reflects that.
Sunday and Monday are write-offs. Onshore winds, lumpy, choppy, and just plain ugly. That run of poor conditions lasts a few days. Tuesday the 11th, Wednesday the 12th, and Thursday the 13th are all poor to marginal. The winds are mostly cross-on or cross-shore, and the swell is still big enough to be a problem. Thursday the 13th shows some glimmers with a 8 feet SW swell and a 19-second period, but the cross-shore wind and marginal tide call keep it from being a goer.
Now, Friday the 14th of August. That afternoon is pure magic. The swell drops to a manageable 5 feet from the WSW, with a 14-second period, and the wind goes glassy – completely off. The combined energy is 1058 (moderate). That’s the best of the whole outlook. Clean, offshore, perfect reef conditions for an intermediate to advanced surfer. This is the one to circle. The morning is also a decent option with a light cross-shore, but the glassy afternoon is where it’s at.
Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th have some clean offshore options in the morning, but the swell is a bit smaller and the energy is dropping. The 16th has an 8 feet WSW swell, but the wind is onshore, so it’s a miss.
The second week gets a bit more patchy. Monday the 17th afternoon goes glassy again with a 6 feet WSW swell, 13-second period, and 1066 energy. That’s another clean, excellent session. Wednesday the 19th morning is also glassy with a 6 feet swell, 13-second period, and 1103 energy. Another good one for the crew who can wait.
It’s not all perfect, though. The wind swings around on the 20th with a fresh offshore WNW breeze, but the swell is getting bigger, pushing 8 feet to 8 feet. That’s a lot of power (2898 energy) and it’s marginal. The 22nd of August sees a massive 13 feet WSW swell, combined energy hitting 5362 (very strong). That’s a big, dangerous wave, only for the true experts. The 23rd has a 12 feet SW swell with a clean offshore wind, but again, that’s big.
So, to wrap it up: the absolute best of the bunch is the glassy, clean afternoon session on Friday the 14th of August. The Monday afternoon the 17th and Wednesday morning the 19th are also excellent, clean alternatives. The early Saturday morning on the 8th is a solid, powerful option for the experienced. The rest is either too big, too windy, or just marginal. Don’t even think about the 22nd unless you’re a pro.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Fri night, fresh winds from the S by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Tue afternoon, light winds from the E by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SW 22 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
3119 | 2158 | 4697 | 3449 | 2711 | 2635 | 1839 | 1313 | 830 | 2149 | 1102 | 955 | 1326 | 1876 | 1610 | 1631 | 3604 | 2846 | 1431 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 10:22PM1.23m | 11:33AM1.12m | 11:57PM1.28m | 12:51PM1.25m | 1:08AM1.39m | 1:47PM1.41m | 2:02AM1.50m | 2:34PM1.55m | 2:49AM1.57m | 3:16PM1.67m | 3:31AM1.61m | 3:54PM1.73m | 4:09AM1.60m | ||||||
Low Tide | 5:11AM0.46m | 5:37PM0.54m | 6:35AM0.36m | 6:59PM0.41m | 7:35AM0.23m | 7:58PM0.27m | 8:23AM0.12m | 8:47PM0.15m | 9:04AM0.04m | 9:30PM0.07m | 9:42AM-0.00m | 10:10PM0.04m | |||||||
— | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
6:06 | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 22 | 18 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 20 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
3119 | 2158 | 4697 | 3449 | 6 | 6 | 1839 | 1313 | 830 | 2149 | 1102 | 955 | 442 | 1876 | 1610 | 1631 | 3604 | 2846 | 1431 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | SSW 14 | WSW 11 | W 28 | SW 25 | SW 22 | S 10 | SW 10 | SW 22 | ESE 10 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 553 | 103 | 15 | 163 | 1326 | 244 | 65 | 888 | 125 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | WSW 11 | SW 17 | — | WSW 10 | — | S 10 | S 10 | SE 9 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 311 | 11 | — | 10 | — | 31 | 31 | 40 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSE 7 | S 9 | — | E 3 | E 4 | NE 3 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ESE 9 | ENE 4 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 |
— | — | — | — | 2711 | 2635 | 259 | 718 | — | 5 | 13 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 119 | 10 | 106 | 452 | 79 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 17 | 0 | 83 | 40 | 272 | 1372 | 23 | 245 | 40 | 23 | 38 | 38 | 23 | 10 | 23 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Overberg | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











