
Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 3,574 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 11PM (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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 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, let's have a look at what we've got here, surfers. It's Rusty. We're focusing on Onrus for the next couple of weeks, and it's a bit of a mixed bag—a story of waiting for the wind to play nice.
The long-range picture shows a fair bit of swell on the table, but the early part of the run is plagued by choppy, lumpy cross-shore breezes. The water temp is sitting at about 58°, which is a bit colder than average for this time of year, so you'll want a good steamer.
The first real action that's worth paddling out for looks to be on Monday the 14th. We get a clean up. A fresh offshore breeze from the WNW is going to tidy up a 3ft to 4ft SW groundswell (period of 12 seconds). The wave energy is moderate (334 to 435). It's not huge, but it'll be clean and workable for an intermediate.
Tuesday the 15th sees a strong offshore NW wind, but the swell period drops to a short 6 seconds on the morning of a 6ft set, making it hard to paddle into and a bit bumpy despite the wind direction. The wave energy hits 627 (moderate). Not the best.
The next real standout—and this is the one to circle on your calendar—is Monday the 21st of September. The morning is looking prime. We have a clean, light cross-offshore breeze and a 4ft SW groundswell (12-second period). The wave energy is moderate (684). It's not a massive day, but the conditions are set to be *very good* and it’s calling for clean surf. This is your best bet for a long, fun session without too much hassle.
After that, things get choppy again for a few days. There's a massive 10ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period due on Friday the 25th, pumping out strong to very strong wave energy (4400 and 3910). The wind is favourable, but the forecast says it's predicted to be too big for this break. That's one for the experts only, if at all.
The run finishes on a high note. On Sunday the 27th of September, the afternoon session looks excellent for experienced surfers. A clean, cross-offshore breeze with a 5ft SW groundswell, and the period is a juicy 17 seconds. It's the best quality wave of the whole outlook. The wave energy is moderate (1294), but the quality is there.
So, the pick of the litter is the morning of Monday the 21st of September for clean, fun waves. If you're more experienced and can wait, the afternoon of Sunday the 27th has the best-quality groundswell and conditions, but it's for the crew who know their way around a reef.
Keep an eye on that wind, and I'll see you out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sat afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Sat night, light winds from the NNE by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WNW 6 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
3096 | 2229 | 1355 | 961 | 600 | 374 | 268 | 187 | 281 | 931 | 3477 | 2609 | 1269 | 1594 | 1255 | 897 | 963 | 1632 | 1703 | 1545 | |
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-off | off | off | off | off | off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 7:03AM1.04m | 7:21PM1.04m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:56PM0.65m | 1:53AM0.67m | |||||||
— | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:36 | — | |
mm | 4 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 9 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
3096 | 2229 | 1355 | 961 | 600 | 374 | 268 | 187 | 119 | 931 | 3477 | 2609 | 1269 | 1594 | 1255 | 897 | 963 | 1632 | 1703 | 1545 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 9 | — | SE 7 | SE 11 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SW 14 | SE 13 | SW 15 | SW 9 | WSW 13 | W 13 | W 12 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | SW 16 |
— | — | 65 | — | 67 | 61 | 59 | 26 | 102 | 7 | 696 | 502 | 663 | 468 | 180 | 8 | 8 | 20 | 17 | 127 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 13 | SW 17 | SW 19 | — | ESE 11 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 12 | 125 | — | 43 | 701 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | — | — | ESE 3 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | — | SE 3 | — |
128 | 205 | 109 | 143 | — | 66 | 176 | 110 | 281 | 543 | — | — | 3 | 86 | 92 | 49 | — | — | 9 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 314 | 45 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 72 | 92 | 0 | 199 | 155 | 4 | 10 | 38 | 10 | 23 | 247 | 4 | 247 | 335 | 23 |
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.










