
Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 4,279 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s 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 (Sep 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Onrus in the next 16 days are 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) 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 2.5m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then. Rusty here.
Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Onrus. It’s a reef setup that's inconsistent, so when it does get good, you've gotta be on it. Water temp is sitting at 58.5°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – about 1.8° cooler, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.
Honestly, the first week and a half is a write-off. The onshore winds are relentless, and even when there’s decent swell, the quality is just poor. The combined energy is mostly moderate to strong (values of 833 to 3031), which sounds promising, but the wind is making a mess of it. You can see the pattern: Friday the 11th has a 4.9ft WSW swell, but it’s blown out with a 18.6 mph ESE wind. Saturday the 12th sees a cleaner 6.6ft SW swell with a 15-second period in the morning, but that cross-on wind kills it. The 15th of September, Tuesday, has a brief window of offshore NW wind and a 5.2ft SW swell with a 16-second period, but the wind is strong at 25 mph, making it hard to paddle into.
We don’t get a proper look-in until Monday the 21st of September. It's not a stand-out, but it’s the first real shift. A gentle breeze, light cross-onshore with small wind ripples. A 5.6ft WSW swell with a 15-second period pushing in. The combined energy is moderate (1347). It’s marginal, but a whole lot better than what we’ve seen.
Then, hold on for Saturday the 26th of September. That’s the one. Saturday morning is the standout. The wind drops to nothing – glassy conditions – with a 5.2ft SW swell, 12-second period. The combined energy is moderate (628). That is pure Onrus potential. Saturday afternoon keeps it clean with a light cross-off breeze. That morning session is the one to aim for. It’s a reef, so it’ll handle that swell well.
Sunday the 22nd of September shows some clean conditions in the afternoon with a fresh offshore WNW wind at 18.6 mph and a 7.2ft W swell, but the period is short at 7 seconds. That’s a small window for the experts only if the tide works.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sat afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Sat night, light winds from the NW by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon night, min 11°C on Wed morning). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 19 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
407 | 1638 | 3096 | 2229 | 1355 | 961 | 600 | 374 | 268 | 183 | 237 | 1137 | 3933 | 1997 | 1776 | 1026 | 895 | 736 | 1149 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | off | off | off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:45AM1.60m | 3:59PM1.73m | 4:17AM1.56m | 4:30PM1.67m | 4:48AM1.49m | 4:59PM1.58m | 5:18AM1.40m | 5:29PM1.45m | 5:48AM1.29m | 5:59PM1.31m | 6:20AM1.17m | 6:32PM1.17m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:45PM0.00m | 9:49AM0.04m | 10:16PM0.03m | 10:20AM0.09m | 10:46PM0.09m | 10:49AM0.17m | 11:15PM0.19m | 11:18AM0.28m | 11:43PM0.30m | 11:46AM0.40m | 00:13AM0.43m | 12:16PM0.52m | 00:49AM0.55m | ||||||
— | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
6:30 | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | |
mm | — | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
407 | 1638 | 3096 | 2229 | 1355 | 961 | 600 | 374 | 268 | 183 | 183 | 1137 | 3933 | 1997 | 1776 | 1026 | 895 | 736 | 1149 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | S 10 | — | — | SE 8 | — | SSE 9 | SE 11 | SE 13 | SSW 17 | SW 19 | E 10 | ESE 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | W 12 | WSW 11 | W 12 |
86 | 70 | — | — | 210 | — | 165 | 56 | 42 | 29 | 219 | 55 | 41 | 715 | 581 | 515 | 270 | 213 | 42 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 13 | ESE 13 | SW 15 | — | — | ESE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | — | — |
107 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 16 | 75 | — | — | 22 | 21 | 9 | 8 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | SE 7 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | E 4 |
106 | 90 | 147 | 264 | 1230 | 206 | — | 48 | 227 | 87 | 237 | 577 | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | 18 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 335 | 23 | 91 | 86 | 45 | 4 | 220 | 0 | 92 | 199 | 0 | 155 | 155 | 4 | 32 | 40 | 10 | 4 | 874 |
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.










