Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,893 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s 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 (Aug 31) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Onrus in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for Onrus over the next couple of weeks.
We’re kicking off with a bit of a slow start this weekend. Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are pretty average – the swell is around 8ft from the SW with a 12-second period, but the wind is onshore, which means lumpy, bumpy conditions. The combined energy is high (1750–830), but the quality just isn’t there. Not worth paddling out for.
Now, Tuesday the 1st of September is where it gets interesting. We’ve got a clean, cross-offshore wind in the morning with a solid 8ft SW groundswell (13 seconds). The energy is cranking (1945), and the water temp is about average for this time of year. This is a standout session for experienced surfers – the reef at Onrus will be handling that swell nicely. The afternoon gets bigger, 10ft, and the wind stays clean, but that’s pushing into expert-only territory. If you’re a beginner, stay on the beach for this one.
Wednesday the 2nd starts with a massive 10ft SW swell (14 seconds) and energy hitting 3110. The wind is onshore though, and it’s just too big for this break. Thursday and Friday are a write-off with strong onshore winds and messy surf. Saturday the 5th drops right off to tiny 3ft waves with cross-onshore wind – forget it.
We get a nice little window on Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th. The swell is 5ft to 4ft, but the wind is light and cross-offshore, making it clean. The energy is moderate (825–425), and the 14-second period means long, powerful lines. Monday afternoon even goes glassy. This is a solid pick for a fun, relaxed session.
After that, it gets messy again through the 8th and 9th with strong cross-onshore winds. But hold onto your board – Thursday the 10th is another standout. Clear skies, light cross-offshore wind, and a 5ft WSW groundswell with a 14-second period. The energy is 1016, and the conditions are clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers, and the reef will be handling the swell beautifully. The morning is also good at 4ft.
Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th see a bigger swell return (7ft to 10ft), but the wind turns onshore and the conditions get choppy. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, and the 10ft on Saturday is too big for most. Sunday the 13th is a washout with heavy rain and strong winds. The last day, Monday the 14th, is just too windy.
Overall, the best windows are Tuesday the 1st and Thursday the 10th. Mark those in your calendar. The rest of the period is either too big, too windy, or too small.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Tue night, strong winds from the SSE by Thu morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | WSW 12 | SSE 8 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
711 | 1739 | 1472 | 1162 | 828 | 752 | 1183 | 1945 | 2561 | 3893 | 3110 | 2549 | 1703 | 1792 | 666 | 689 | 583 | 771 | 656 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 7:53AM1.12m | 8:28PM1.19m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:53PM0.55m | 3:13AM0.54m | ||||||
— | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
6:22 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 10 | WSW 12 | S 8 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 |
711 | 1739 | 1472 | 1162 | 828 | 752 | 1183 | 1945 | 2561 | 3893 | 3110 | 2549 | 1703 | 74 | 626 | 417 | 583 | 771 | 656 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | S 8 | SW 14 | SSW 13 |
536 | 11 | 20 | 11 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 71 | 666 | 317 | 301 | 46 | 35 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 17 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | — | — |
37 | 12 | 12 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 82 | 70 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | — | SSW 12 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 4 | ESE 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | 1792 | 421 | 689 | 369 | 27 | 50 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 23 | 272 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 10 | 10 | 40 | 0 | 389 | 598 | 975 | 1182 | 2885 | 86 |
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.











