Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, WSW swell with 4,941 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period with S 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve got the lowdown on what’s coming up for the next couple of weeks. Let’s cut straight to it.
Overall, the pattern is a mixed bag with some real clean windows between windier, messier days. The good news is that when the wind drops, the waves are decent. The water temperature is sitting at 59° – that’s about 1° cooler than normal for this time of year, so not a big shift, but you’ll feel it’s a touch on the chilly side for a late August/early September session.
The standout window is hands down Sunday morning, August 23rd at Onrus (reef). We’ve got a solid 7ft SW groundswell with a 13-second period, producing a combined swell energy of 1527 (moderate-to-strong). The wind is glassy out of the east at just 3 mph, so the surface is going to be clean and inviting. This is a solid intermediate-to-advanced session – not one for beginners, but if you’re experienced, you’re in for a treat. The swell is out of the SW, which is the optimum direction for this reef, so it’ll be well-shaped and lined up. Crowds are possible here, but that’s the price for a spot that works this well.
Now, that Sunday afternoon and all of Monday and Tuesday are looking marginal thanks to onshore winds and choppy conditions. The swell energy drops off, and the wind spoils any real quality. Tuesday morning actually has a bigger 8ft SW swell (14-second period, 2533 energy), but with a 12 mph cross-onshore wind, it’s choppy and messy. Not worth paddling out.
Wednesday the 26th is a write-off – strong winds and lumpy conditions. Just stay home.
Then we get a brief reprieve Thursday morning, August 27th. The wind goes glassy again out of the west at just 3 mph, and there’s a 5ft S swell with an 11-second period. The energy is moderate (829), and the surf is clean and well-shaped. This is a solid second option, but it’s not as powerful as the Sunday session. The afternoon looks similar, so if you miss the morning, the afternoon will still be glassy.
Friday and Saturday are back to messy or windy conditions, with a short-period (7-second) lumpy swell on Saturday afternoon. Not worth it.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting but also a bit tricky. Sunday, August 30th sees a big bump in size – 12ft to 13ft SW groundswell, with a 12-second period and massive energy readings of 3562 and 4773. The wind is offshore (cross-offshore) and clean, but the swell is too big for Onrus. This is a spot that’s a reef, and with that size, only the most experienced, well-equipped surfers should even think about it. For most, it’s a pass.
Monday, August 31st and Tuesday, September 1st are the real highlights for the second week. Monday morning sees a 8ft WSW swell (10 seconds, 1427 energy) with a light offshore wind out of the NW at 9 mph. The surf is clean and lined up. Tuesday is even better: a 8ft SW swell (11-12 seconds, 1572-1742 energy) with a gentle offshore wind. This is consistent, clean, and powerful – ideal for intermediate-to-advanced surfers. These are the days to circle.
The rest of the period from September 2nd onward is either too big, too windy, or too messy. September 3rd and 4th see absolutely massive 25ft to 26ft swells (with 16-17-second periods and energy readings over 30,000 to 52,000) – that’s firmly in the “don’t even try” category unless you’re a big-wave specialist with a tow-in setup. The wind is cross-shore and messy, so it’s not even clean. September 5th morning is glassy but the 10ft S swell is still too big for this reef. After that, it’s all cross-onshore winds and lumpy, poor surf.
So, to sum it up: *Sunday morning, August 23rd* is the standout for quality, clean waves. *Monday, August 31st* and *Tuesday, September 1st* are the best bets for the second week – clean, powerful, and manageable. Keep your eyes on those days, and don’t bother with the rest.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Sun morning, fresh winds from the E by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Wed morning, calm by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SSW 16 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | W 7 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1527 | 1385 | 988 | 706 | 425 | 2090 | 2358 | 1884 | 1783 | 512 | 353 | 632 | 563 | 553 | 410 | 332 | 239 | 261 | 326 | 669 | 595 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 1:01PM1.09m | 1:04AM1.17m | 1:39PM1.22m | 1:42AM1.27m | 2:10PM1.34m | 2:15AM1.37m | 2:38PM1.46m | 2:45AM1.46m | 3:06PM1.56m | 3:15AM1.52m | 3:34PM1.64m | 3:45AM1.55m | 4:02PM1.68m | 4:16AM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:10PM0.59m | 7:30AM0.44m | 7:48PM0.48m | 8:02AM0.33m | 8:19PM0.37m | 8:29AM0.23m | 8:48PM0.27m | 8:56AM0.15m | 9:17PM0.18m | 9:23AM0.10m | 9:46PM0.12m | 9:50AM0.07m | 10:15PM0.09m | ||||||||
7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
— | 6:17 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 19 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 22 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 19 | 24 | 20 | 16 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | S 12 | WSW 13 |
1527 | 1385 | 988 | 706 | 425 | 2090 | 2358 | 1884 | 1783 | 512 | 331 | 632 | 563 | 553 | 410 | 332 | 216 | 261 | 326 | 96 | 595 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 14 | WSW 11 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 14 | S 10 | S 12 | — | SSE 11 |
— | — | — | 95 | 387 | 116 | 175 | 217 | 52 | 296 | 309 | 169 | 123 | 106 | 95 | 91 | 239 | 94 | 171 | — | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SW 15 | — | — | — | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 11 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 11 | S 13 | WSW 18 | — | ESE 9 |
— | — | — | 161 | 309 | — | — | — | 98 | 89 | 353 | 87 | 143 | 11 | 56 | 71 | 66 | 123 | 61 | — | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 7 | ENE 4 | — | — | W 4 | — | SSE 3 | ENE 3 | WNW 4 | W 7 | W 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 95 | 80 | 242 | 7 | — | — | 5 | — | 3 | 4 | 21 | 669 | 414 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 32 | 10 | 4 | 23 | 10 | 10 | 335 | 23 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 92 | 72 | 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.











