Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 8,744 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s 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 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s. 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 4.0m 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 1.4m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what's happening at Onrus over the next couple of weeks.
The water is about average temp for this time of year, nothing crazy. The first few days are a bit of a tease, but then it properly fires up.
First real surf is Monday, July 20th. A 5ft swell from the WSW, wind is a cross-off at 16 mph, so it's clean. The energy is moderate (547), so it's a warm-up wave.
Tuesday morning, July 21st, is a big step up. Swell is 8ft from the SW, and the wind is glassy – a dead calm 3 mph from the ENE. That's a huge plus. The period is a very long 14 seconds, a proper groundswell with plenty of punch (2176 wave energy). For a reef like Onrus, that long period will draw up some beautiful, lined-up waves. It's a bit big for beginners, but for the experienced surfer, this is a standout session.
Wednesday morning, July 22nd, is another cracker. Still a solid 7ft SW swell, but the wind is a clean cross-off from the WNW at 12 mph. The energy is still strong (1286), and the period is a meaty 12 seconds. Clean, powerful surf.
Thursday morning, July 23rd, is the real deal. A 7ft swell from the WSW, but the wind is pure offshore from the NW at 9 mph. That's clean, clean, clean. The wave energy is solid (1249), and that 11-second period keeps the waves well-shaped. This is a morning to be in the water.
Friday morning, July 24th, is a monster. Swell is a massive 12ft from the SW with a very long 15-second period. The wave energy is huge (4635). This is strictly for experts only. The wind is a cross-on, so it won't be perfect, but the raw power will be on display.
Sunday morning, July 26th, offers a more manageable 7ft SW swell with a clean cross-off wind from the W. The energy is still strong (1153), and it’s a good call for a Sunday session.
Monday morning, July 27th, is a nice drop in size to 4ft, but the wind is a clean cross-off. The energy is moderate (1043), making it a good option for a more relaxed paddle.
Wednesday morning, July 29th, looks promising again. A 8ft SW swell with a 14-second period and a light cross-off wind from the NNE. The energy is very strong (2557). Solid for those who can handle it.
Now, looking into the first week of August, the big stuff is back. Friday morning, July 31st, is another monster at 13ft from the SW with a 16-second period. The energy is off the charts (8799). This is a pure, raw power session for the brave. The afternoon is even bigger at 16ft (21871 energy). Absolutely massive, and still with a clean cross-off wind.
Saturday morning, August 1st, is glassy with a 13ft SW swell. It’s huge, but it will be glassy. Still, only for the experts.
By Monday morning, August 3rd, the swell drops right off to a weak 4ft from the SSE. The energy is low (278), and the winds are offshore, but the surf is small.
The best of the best? I’d be locking in Thursday morning, July 23rd, for that perfect offshore wind and solid, powerful swell. And for the big-wave hunters, Friday morning, July 31st, is your date with destiny.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 304 | 314 | 2141 | 2254 | 1474 | 1209 | 1031 | 872 | 1242 | 1801 | 7655 | 4635 | 3777 | 2462 | 1497 | 1201 | 1209 | 1149 | 1076 | 1095 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | 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 | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — |
 | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 140 | 128 | 2141 | 2254 | 1474 | 1209 | 1031 | 872 | 1242 | 1801 | 7655 | 4635 | 3777 | 2462 | 1497 | 1201 | 1209 | 1149 | 1076 | 1095 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 16 | W 9 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 12 | SE 13 | SW 20 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 18 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SSW 13 | SE 5 | SE 4 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 80 | 314 | 14 | 21 | 13 | 72 | 154 | 187 | 7 | 388 | 37 | 35 | 364 | 1186 | 465 | 396 | 7 | 5 | 144 | 102 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SW 12 | SE 12 | W 9 | — | SE 11 | SE 14 | SE 14 | — | SE 13 | — | — | SE 12 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | — | — | SE 10 | — | ESE 6 |
| kJ | 23 | 93 | 21 | 14 | — | 5 | 8 | 7 | — | 6 | — | — | 34 | 19 | 12 | — | — | 4 | — | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 5 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 304 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 9 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 36 | 24 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 60 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 17 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
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.
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