Surf Forecasts:
Onrus surf forecast from 29 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, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,788 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 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 1.8m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Onrus in the next 16 days are 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 11s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Onrus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Howdy, Rusty here. Let's talk Onrus – a reef break that's inconsistent and likes SW swell. Water temp's about 59°F, normal for the season. No surf worth paddlin' out for until Saturday the 29th, then it's on.
Saturday morning the 29th: light NNE cross-off, clean 4ft waves from the WSW with a 13 sec period. Moderate wave energy (705). Clean start. But afternoon brings onshore wind and rain – 6ft but short period, messy.
Sunday the 30th: morning 8ft SW swell at 12 sec with offshore ESE breeze – punchy. Afternoon goes cross-on and choppy.
Monday the 31st: 6ft SW, still marginal.
Tuesday, September 1st: morning standout – 8ft SW groundswell at 13 sec, cross-off W wind, clean. Strong energy (1778). Excellent for experienced surfers. Afternoon hits 10ft – expert only.
Wednesday the 2nd: 10ft SW, 14 sec, but cross-on wind – messy. Then Thursday through Friday the 5th: gale-force winds (28-37 mph) – blown out. That stretch is more for kite gear.
Saturday the 5th afternoon: 6ft SSW at 13 sec, gentle cross-on – marginal but worth a look.
Sunday the 6th: morning standout – 6ft SW at 14 sec with moderate NW offshore, clean, moderate energy (1228). Great session.
Monday the 7th: 4ft WSW at 18 sec – long-period groundswell, but onshore wind.
The week after sees smaller surf: clean but weak through Wednesday the 9th.
But Friday the 11th of September: morning glass – 7ft WSW groundswell, 16 sec period, glassy conditions with light offshore wind. Combined energy very strong (2201). That's the pick. Afternoon stays clean but lighter.
Saturday the 12th: 6-8ft WSW, cross-shore. Sunday the 13th: another big pulse – 10ft SW, clean cross-off but only for experts.
Best bets: the mornings of September 1st, 6th, and especially the 11th. Onrus is inconsistent and gets crowded sometimes, but on those days it'll be worth it. Keep an eye on that 11th – it's a bit out but looks magic.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Tue night, strong winds from the SE by Thu morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 13 | SW 10 | 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 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
414 | 580 | 621 | 1598 | 1369 | 1162 | 828 | 752 | 663 | 1778 | 2692 | 3620 | 3020 | 2390 | 1892 | 1363 | 1031 | 645 | 829 | 427 | 392 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:02PM1.68m | 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 | 9:50AM0.07m | 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 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 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 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 15 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | 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 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
414 | 425 | 621 | 1598 | 1369 | 1162 | 828 | 752 | 663 | 1778 | 2692 | 3620 | 3020 | 2390 | 1892 | 1363 | 1031 | 645 | 829 | 427 | 392 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | SSW 15 | WSW 12 | SSW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 |
116 | 61 | 536 | 11 | 9 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 424 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 92 | 336 | 17 | 222 | 202 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | ESE 9 | SSE 11 | E 12 | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
175 | 15 | 37 | 12 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 129 | — | 21 | 61 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 | — | — | E 3 | SE 4 | — |
— | 580 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 235 | — | — | 1 | 14 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 250 | 23 | 10 | 272 | 10 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 10 | 10 | 45 | 10 | 200 | 874 | 335 | 95 | 89 | 38 |
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.











