Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 8,279 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period with WSW 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 29) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Onrus in the next 16 days are 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 7s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what we’ve got on the cards for Onrus. This is a reef setup that loves a good SW swell, and it’s mostly gonna be for the intermediate crew, but keep an eye on it because it’s a bit inconsistent. The water’s sitting at 59° which is pretty normal for this time of year, nothin’ weird going on there.
We’re starting off this Friday afternoon, 28th August, with a small but OK pulse. Swell is 3ft from the WSW, period around 14 seconds, and it’s glassy – dead calm. That’s a nice way to kick things off. The combined energy is sitting at (476) – moderate. It’s not huge, but it’s clean and you’ll get some fun ones if you’re patient.
Saturday morning the 29th picks up a touch: 4ft from the WSW, 13-second period, and a cross-off breeze from the NNE at 6 mph. That’s clean surf, energy’s up a bit at (702). This is looking very good. Crowds can happen here sometimes, so get in early.
By Sunday the 30th, things get bigger but the wind swings onshore from the SE and it’s gonna be a bit of a mess. 8ft SW, 12-second period, but onshore chop is gonna ruin it. Not one for the paddle.
Now, here’s where it gets good. Monday the 31st – both morning and afternoon are glassy as glass. Swell hangs around 6-6ft from the SW, 11-second period, energy is moderate to strong (830 and 704). That’s a solid day. Clean waves, light wind, plenty of push. That’s a standout.
Tuesday 1st September morning is the real gem. 8ft from the SW, 13-second period, cross-off wind from the west at 6 mph, and the combined energy is pumping at (2000). This is strong, clean, and for experienced surfers – 8ft is pushing it for beginners. The afternoon stays clean but winds pick up a touch. If you’re comfortable in solid reef waves, Tuesday morning is the pick of the whole run.
Wednesday 2nd goes mental – 13ft SW with a 15-second period, but the energy is huge at (6345). Problem is, it’s way too big for this break, and the wind is cross-onshore. That’s for experts only, and even then, it’s gonna be a handful. Not recommended for a casual paddle.
After that, from Thursday 3rd through to Sunday 6th, it’s a write-off. Strong onshore winds, lumpy conditions, blown out. There’s about four days there where you’re better off doin’ somethin’ else.
Monday 7th September shows a bit of hope – 3ft from the WSW, 13-second period, and a clean offshore wind from the WNW at 16 mph. Energy is moderate (417). It’s small but clean. Tuesday 8th is glassy again in the morning with 3ft WSW, 13-second period. Nice but tiny.
Then we get another little run at the end. Friday 11th September afternoon has 6ft from the WSW, 15-second period, cross-shore wind, energy at (1797) – that’s strong and clean enough to be fun. But the real standout in the second week is Saturday 12th September. Both morning and afternoon are glassy, swell is 6ft and then 8ft from the WSW, 14-second period. Energy is strong at (1375) in the morning and very strong at (2550) in the afternoon. That afternoon session is for experienced surfers – clean, solid, lined-up reef waves. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.
So overall, the best on offer: Monday 31st August and Tuesday 1st September are your early standouts, and Saturday 12th September is the long-range promise. Keep an eye on that one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the ESE by Thu morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
239 | 302 | 408 | 678 | 660 | 1739 | 1369 | 1010 | 828 | 702 | 778 | 2000 | 2147 | 3893 | 6271 | 4385 | 1874 | 1073 | 1149 | 506 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:34PM1.64m | 3:45AM1.55m | 4:02PM1.68m | 4:16AM1.55m | 4:32PM1.68m | 4:48AM1.52m | 5:04PM1.65m | 5:22AM1.46m | 5:38PM1.57m | 6:00AM1.36m | 6:18PM1.46m | 6:47AM1.24m | 7:09PM1.32m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:46PM0.12m | 9:50AM0.07m | 10:15PM0.09m | 10:19AM0.07m | 10:46PM0.09m | 10:49AM0.11m | 11:19PM0.13m | 11:22AM0.18m | 11:55PM0.20m | 11:59AM0.29m | 00:39AM0.31m | 12:45PM0.42m | 1:37AM0.44m | |||||||
— | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | |
6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 9 |
174 | 302 | 408 | 450 | 660 | 1739 | 1369 | 1010 | 828 | 702 | 778 | 2000 | 2147 | 3893 | 6271 | 4385 | 1874 | 1073 | 1149 | 506 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | S 10 | S 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 7 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 13 | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | WSW 12 |
239 | 98 | 119 | 501 | 624 | 11 | 10 | 51 | 2 | 2 | 261 | — | — | 1065 | — | — | — | 469 | 42 | 347 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | S 13 | WSW 16 | S 11 | SSE 11 | E 12 | E 12 | SSE 10 | — | — | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
63 | 82 | 175 | 61 | 37 | 12 | 12 | 10 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 69 | 73 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | SE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 11 | SE 5 | SE 7 |
— | — | — | 678 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 74 | 154 | 764 | 798 | 126 | 386 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 272 | 23 | 272 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 10 | 38 | 335 | 334 | 847 | 2816 | 270 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Overberg | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











