
Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 4,760 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period with WSW 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 06) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Onrus in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s talk about Onrus. This is a reef setup, exposed to the SW, and it’s got a bit of a reputation for being inconsistent, so when it does fire, you want to be on it.
The forecast kicks off on Thursday the 6th of August, and to be honest, it’s a frustrating start. There’s a hefty 10ft SW swell rolling in with a period of 13 seconds, and the combined energy is strong at 3029. The problem is, that’s just too much water for this break. It’s going to be too big, even with glassy conditions in the morning and a light 5 km/h SSE wind. The afternoon stays big with a 12-second period and cross-on wind, making it choppy. Friday is more of the same – still too big at 10ft, even with a clean cross-off wind on Friday afternoon.
Now, Saturday the 8th of August is where it gets interesting. The morning sees the swell drop to 8ft from the SW with a 13-second period. The wind is offshore from the NW at 20 km/h, and the forecast says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. The combined energy is still high at 2012, but that offshore wind will clean things right up. This is the standout of the early period, but understand, at 8ft, this is not for beginners – you need to know what you’re doing on a reef.
Sunday and Monday get blown out with strong cross-onshore winds and poor conditions. Tuesday the 11th stays messy with fresh cross-onshore winds and lumpy surf.
The next real window opens on Wednesday the 12th of August. The swell has backed off to 6ft from the SW, but the period jumps up to a very long 18 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and with a light NE cross-shore wind, it’s going to be lined up but maybe a bit straight for the beach. The combined energy is moderate at 1927. It’s marginal due to tide, but worth a look.
Thursday the 13th of August morning is another good call. The swell is 7ft from the SW, period 16 seconds, and the wind is cross-off from the NE at 10 km/h. Clean conditions and excellent for experienced surfers. The energy is moderate to strong at 2116.
Then we get a nice run from Friday the 14th through Monday the 17th of August. Friday morning has clean 4ft WSW swell with a cross-off wind, and Friday afternoon goes glassy with 4ft. Saturday the 15th morning stays clean with 5ft. Sunday the 16th is glassy all day with 5ft to 5ft WSW swell – that’s the pick of the second week for a more relaxed session. Monday the 17th morning has offshore wind and clean 5ft, and Monday afternoon sees the swell bump to 7ft with a cross-off wind, excellent for experienced surfers again. The energy is moderate to strong at 1207.
After that, Tuesday the 18th stays clean but the swell is up to 7ft, which is pushing it for the average surfer, and the wind is moderate cross-off. From Wednesday the 19th onwards, conditions deteriorate with onshore winds and poor surf all the way through to Friday the 21st of August.
Overall, the first standout is definitely Saturday morning, 8th of August, with that offshore wind and solid 8ft SW swell for the crew who can handle it. The second standout is that beautiful glassy stretch on Sunday the 16th of August – 5ft to 5ft, clean as a whistle, perfect for a long session. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so get there early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Wed night, calm by Fri afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Sat night, fresh winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SW 21 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
5721 | 3029 | 2683 | 2840 | 3419 | 4046 | 3119 | 2012 | 4240 | 4271 | 3038 | 2584 | 1825 | 1034 | 640 | 2091 | 969 | 792 | 1625 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:16AM1.13m | 8:47PM1.27m | 9:48AM1.08m | 10:22PM1.23m | 11:33AM1.12m | 11:57PM1.28m | 12:51PM1.25m | 1:08AM1.39m | 1:47PM1.41m | 2:02AM1.50m | 2:34PM1.55m | 2:49AM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:06AM0.41m | 2:11PM0.50m | 3:28AM0.47m | 3:45PM0.57m | 5:11AM0.46m | 5:37PM0.54m | 6:35AM0.36m | 6:59PM0.41m | 7:35AM0.23m | 7:58PM0.27m | 8:23AM0.12m | 8:47PM0.15m | |||||||
— | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
6:05 | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | |
mm | 9 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 9 | SW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 |
3834 | 3029 | 2683 | 2840 | 3419 | 4046 | 3119 | 2012 | 4240 | 4271 | 3038 | 2584 | 1825 | 561 | 414 | 2091 | 969 | 792 | 476 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | S 13 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | — | WSW 10 | SW 25 | SW 21 |
10 | 19 | 18 | 9 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 14 | 688 | 415 | — | 19 | 224 | 1625 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | — | SW 28 | WSW 10 | S 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 21 | 500 | — | 30 | 40 | 100 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | S 10 | — | E 4 | ENE 4 | ESE 8 |
5721 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1034 | 640 | — | 24 | 5 | 534 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 67 | 10 | 32 | 10 | 10 | 31 | 17 | 0 | 83 | 272 | 272 | 2906 | 10 | 38 | 101 | 23 | 38 | 34 | 10 |
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.











