
Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, WSW swell with 2,878 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 1.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Onrus in the next 16 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Onrus. This is a reef setup, exposed to the southwest swell, and it can be inconsistent – so when it turns on, you’ve got to be ready. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild going on there.
We start off Monday 14 September with some clean fun. Morning sees a moderate offshore breeze from the northwest with a 4ft SW swell, period of 12 seconds. It’s not huge, but the combined wave energy is moderate (434). Expect good surf conditions – clean, rideable, and not too crowded, though it can get busy sometimes. Afternoon stays clean but the wind picks up to a fresh breeze, and the swell drops just a touch. Still worth a paddle.
Tuesday 15 September gets a bit more interesting but trickier. Morning has a stronger northwest wind, 25 mph, and a bumpy 6ft swell from the WNW with a short period of only 6 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (512), but it’s a messy, hard-to-paddle-into affair. Afternoon improves on period though – a 4ft SW groundswell at 16 seconds, combined energy jumps to strong (1269), but that wind is still strong offshore, making it clean but difficult. Only for those who know what they’re doing.
Wednesday 16 September through to Thursday 17 September – look, I’ll be honest, it’s not great. Onshore winds from the SE spoil the party. Wednesday morning has 8ft of SW swell at 14 seconds, strong energy (2497), but it’s onshore and lumpy. Thursday’s similar, 7ft SW, clean wind but onshore, making it poor. Beginners, stay out of this – over 5ft and messy.
Friday 18 through to Sunday 20 September – still struggling. Cross-onshore or onshore winds, lumpy, choppy. Some moderate swell around 5ft to 6ft, but the wind just kills it. Not worth getting excited about.
Monday 21 to Thursday 24 September – more of the same, I’m afraid. Onshore and cross-onshore winds, moderate swell, but nothing clean. The combined energy drops to moderate (around 500-600). A flat spell with no real standouts.
Now, Friday 25 September – here we go. Morning looks too big for this break at 10ft from the SSW, period 9 seconds, strong energy (1575) – that’s expert territory and the break might be overwhelmed. But hold on – Friday afternoon: a 5ft SW groundswell at 15 seconds, combined energy strong (2029), with a light cross-offshore breeze. Clean, good shape, and excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a standout.
Saturday 26 September morning – another cracker. 8ft SW groundswell at 15 seconds, combined energy very strong (3745), moderate offshore from the NW. Clean, powerful, and only for experienced surfers. This is the pick of the whole run, but you’ll want to be confident in bigger surf.
Saturday afternoon and Sunday 27 September – onshore winds come back, 10ft to 12ft of SW swell but messy and blown out. Not the one.
Monday 28 to Tuesday 29 September – Monday’s still onshore and lumpy with big swell. But Tuesday 29 September morning? Glassy conditions, 7ft SSW swell at 12 seconds, combined energy strong (1345). That’s clean, excellent for experienced surfers, and a nice way to finish the run. If you can wait, that’s worth it.
So the standout windows are Friday 25 September afternoon and Saturday 26 September morning, with Tuesday 29 September morning as a bonus clean session. Keep an eye on the long-period groundswells – they’ll be breaking clean on the reef, but expect longer waits between sets.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun night, min 11°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Thu morning, strong winds from the ESE by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WNW 6 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
663 | 374 | 268 | 190 | 237 | 719 | 2878 | 2284 | 1042 | 1198 | 1094 | 913 | 780 | 698 | 1086 | 1021 | 570 | 872 | 690 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:48AM1.49m | 4:59PM1.58m | 5:18AM1.40m | 5:29PM1.45m | 5:48AM1.29m | 5:59PM1.31m | 6:20AM1.17m | 6:32PM1.17m | 7:03AM1.04m | 7:21PM1.04m | 8:35AM0.94m | 9:27PM0.96m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:56PM0.65m | 1:53AM0.67m | 2:37PM0.76m | 4:44AM0.69m | ||||||
— | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
6:31 | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:37 | — | |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 15 |
Feels °C | 19 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
663 | 374 | 268 | 190 | 168 | 719 | 2878 | 2284 | 1042 | 1198 | 1094 | 913 | 780 | 698 | 1086 | 1021 | 570 | 872 | 690 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | SE 11 | SE 12 | ESE 13 | SW 17 | SE 13 | ESE 11 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | W 12 | — | E 11 | SW 14 | — | SW 16 | SW 14 | — | — |
54 | 60 | 35 | 16 | 107 | 7 | 43 | 101 | 553 | 318 | 144 | — | 9 | 322 | — | 91 | 350 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ESE 13 | — | — | ESE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | 24 | 2 | 2 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | WNW 4 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | — | S 6 | S 7 | SE 6 | SE 4 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 |
7 | 25 | 115 | 82 | 237 | 543 | — | 112 | 152 | 92 | 24 | 40 | 49 | 98 | 59 | 28 | 49 | 64 | 32 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 92 | 0 | 103 | 155 | 4 | 40 | 247 | 4 | 221 | 247 | 247 | 101 | 220 | 45 | 38 | 86 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Overberg | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










