
Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 8,803 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore 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 Thursday (Jul 23) 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 1.5m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s take a look at what’s on the cards for Onrus over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a solid run of surf coming in, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The first real action kicks off Sunday morning, the 19th of July. It’s a bit of a mixed bag to start, with a cloudy sky and a fresh 19 mph offshore wind from the NW. That wind is the saving grace because the swell is a meaty 6 ft from the WSW, with a period of 12 seconds, and the combined energy is a strong 1118. It’s a bit of a handful, but the offshore wind will keep it clean. The water temp is sitting at 60°, which is about average for this time of year – nothing to write home about.
By Sunday afternoon, the swell jumps up to 10 ft from the WSW, but frankly, that’s too big for Onrus. It’s a reef break that can get a bit out of control when it’s that size. The wind is still offshore but lighter at 16 mph. This one is for the experienced crew only, and even then, it’s a bit of a beast.
The standout of the whole forecast, and I mean the real gem, is Tuesday morning, the 21st of July. Seriously, mark it in your calendar. We’re looking at a 7 ft SW groundswell with a very long period of 14 seconds, and the combined energy is a whopping 1941. The wind is glassy out of the ENE at just 3 mph. It doesn’t get much better than that for a reef break like Onrus. The conditions are described as “excellent” for experienced surfers, and I’m with that. The long period means the sets will have real power and shape, and the glassy conditions will have it looking like a mirror. Just be aware that this is an inconsistent spot, so you’ll be waiting for the sets, but when they come, they’ll be worth it. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.
After that, the week keeps pumping. Thursday morning, the 23rd of July, is another top-tier call. You’ve got 7 ft of SW swell at 11 seconds, combined energy of 1220, and a light 6 mph cross-offshore wind from the W. It’s clean, it’s powerful, and it’s another one for the experienced surfer. The period is a bit shorter than Tuesday, but it’s still a solid groundswell.
Now, we hit a bit of a rough patch from the 25th of July through to the end of the month. The wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell stays big but messy. Saturday the 25th is a write-off with strong onshore winds, and the 27th and 28th are even worse with strong to fresh onshore winds and lumpy conditions. The swell is still there, but the quality is poor. It’s a good time to take a break or check inland.
We start to see a glimmer of hope again on Saturday morning, the 1st of August. The swell has dropped to a more manageable 5 ft from the SSE, period of 11 seconds, and the wind is a moderate 12 mph offshore from the NW. It’s a clean, moderate offshore breeze, and the energy is 1200. This is a solid option for an intermediate surfer. The water will still be cold, but it’s looking good.
The run continues into Sunday the 2nd of August with a smaller 4 ft SSE swell and a moderate offshore wind, and then Monday the 3rd of August finishes things off with a glassy morning and a 3 ft SW groundswell. It’s a small but clean end to the forecast.
So, to sum it up: Tuesday morning the 21st is the absolute pick of the bunch – glassy, powerful, long-period groundswell. Thursday morning the 23rd is a close second. The rest of the first week has some solid options, but the second week is a bit of a washout until the 1st of August rolls around. Keep an eye on that Tuesday session, boys. It’s going to be a cracker.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 12 | WSW 9 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
983 | 1392 | 1061 | 488 | 164 | 310 | 1895 | 2172 | 1594 | 1150 | 929 | 781 | 1214 | 4301 | 7862 | 3999 | 3171 | 2887 | 2340 | 1982 | 1026 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:00PM1.46m | 7:20AM1.21m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:39PM0.28m | 1:24AM0.36m | 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 | ||||||||
7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | WSW 9 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
83 | 1034 | 1061 | 488 | 164 | 310 | 1895 | 2172 | 1594 | 1150 | 929 | 781 | 1214 | 4301 | 7862 | 3999 | 3171 | 2887 | 2340 | 1982 | 1026 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | W 11 | SSE 9 | W 10 | SW 11 | SW 8 | W 9 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SE 13 | SW 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 14 | — | SSW 12 |
52 | 56 | 17 | 30 | 140 | 71 | 25 | 21 | 76 | 21 | 67 | 62 | 6 | 37 | 35 | 20 | 19 | 12 | 724 | — | 203 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | SW 12 | SE 12 | W 9 | — | SE 12 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 32 | 15 | 15 | 43 | 92 | 21 | 14 | — | 5 | 8 | 7 | 39 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | WSW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 |
983 | 1392 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 56 | 19 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 60 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 10 | 31 | 65 | 8 | 0 | 32 | 25 | 10 | 25 | 10 | 10 | 38 | 23 |
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.










