Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 31 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
15.1°C
2.1° 

Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 4,643 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Buffalo Bay Wildside this week:

The surf forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside 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 1.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Buffalo Bay Wildside in the next 16 days are 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 12s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 31st Aug)5ft (1.5m) 11s
Best Surf 8PM (Tue 1st Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 2PM (Sun 6th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Buffalo Bay Wildside. This spot is a bit of a wild card—it’s inconsistent, so when it lines up, you gotta be ready. The water’s sitting at 59°F right now, which is much colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget a decent steamer.

The run starts on Monday morning, August 31st, with clean, glassy conditions and a 5ft SW swell. The energy’s moderate at 695, and that 11-second period has some decent punch. The offshore wind is light, so it’ll be smooth. This is a good little window to get out there before things change. But by Monday afternoon, the wind swings cross-on, and the quality drops off.

Tuesday, September 1st, sees the swell bump up to 8ft in the morning and 8ft in the afternoon, both from the SW with a solid 12 to 13-second period. The energy gets serious—1608 and 2414—but the wind stays cross-on, keeping it a bit messy. It’s surfable, but not the cleanest.

Wednesday morning, September 2nd, is where it gets wild. Swell hits 10ft from the SW with a 13-second period, and the energy is cranking at 2831. That’s too big for most folks—this is expert-only territory, and even then, the cross-on wind will make it a handful. Wednesday afternoon drops to 8ft, but the wind picks up and goes cross-shore, so it’s choppy.

Thursday morning, September 3rd, the swell settles back to 5ft, but with light rain and cross-on wind, it’s not great. Then Thursday afternoon gets hammered by 25 mph winds and heavy rain—total write-off for surfing, but kite surfers might be eyeing that 6ft SSW swell with 1208 energy.

Friday, September 4th, is a standout. Morning brings a 12ft SE swell with 3240 energy—huge, but clean with cross-off winds. This is only for experts, and the swell direction (SE) matches the optimum for the break. Afternoon holds at 10ft, still clean. If you’re experienced and hungry, this is the best on offer.

Saturday, September 5th, the swell drops to 7ft in the morning and 6ft in the afternoon, both from the ESE. The period is short at 8 seconds, so it’s weaker and less exciting. Still clean with cross-off winds, but nothing to write home about.

Sunday, September 6th, brings a 8ft SSW swell with a very long 17-second period—energy is massive at 4608. But it’s cross-shore and messy in the morning. Afternoon sees 19 mph cross-off winds, so it cleans up, but that long period at a beach break like this might make it too straight and tricky. Worth a look for experienced surfers, but not a guarantee.

Heading into the second week, Monday, September 7th, has a 8ft ESE swell in the morning, clean, but the period is only 10 seconds. Afternoon jumps to 12ft with 2761 energy—again, too big for most.

Tuesday, September 8th, is another highlight. Morning has 10ft ESE swell with offshore winds—clean, powerful, but expert-only. Afternoon drops to 8ft, still clean with cross-off winds, and the energy is 1368. The swell direction matches the optimum, and it’s glassy enough for a good session if you’re competent.

From Wednesday, September 9th, onward, things taper off. The swell drops below 7ft, winds get onshore or cross-on, and the energy fades. There’s a brief window on Thursday, September 10th, afternoon with a 6ft ESE swell, 13-second period, and clean conditions—nice for a relaxed session. Friday morning, September 11th, offers 5ft with clean offshore winds, but it’s small.

The last few days, from September 12th to 15th, are mostly small and weak, with swells under 5ft and poor or marginal conditions. The standout is definitely Friday, September 4th, for the big, clean swell, and Tuesday, September 8th, for the offshore winds and solid size. If you’re not in the expert category, stick to Monday morning, August 31st, or Thursday afternoon, September 10th, for manageable waves.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds.

Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
3
3
!
!
3
4
3
0
!
!
!
3
2
2
3
3
3
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
11
1.5
SW
11
1.8
SW
11
2.3
SW
12
2.5
SW
13
3
SW
13
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.3
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.9
SSW
10
4.5
SSE
10
3.5
SE
10
3
ESE
10
2.5
ESE
9
2
ESE
8
1.7
ESE
8
0.9
SSW
18
2.5
SSW
17
2.5
SSW
16
3.5
SSE
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
663
573
851
1576
2381
3169
2824
2305
1778
811
671
3845
2548
1874
1056
560
422
485
3580
3118
3930
Wind (km/h)
5
SSW
10
S
0
NNW
10
SSW
10
S
10
NNW
10
SSW
15
SE
5
NE
10
WSW
40
SE
30
SE
30
ESE
30
ESE
15
ENE
15
E
20
ESE
15
ESE
20
SE
30
ESE
25
ENE
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:24PM1.85m
5:38AM1.64m
5:57PM1.76m
6:13AM1.53m
6:34PM1.62m
6:54AM1.38m
7:20PM1.45m
7:52AM1.21m
8:36PM1.27m
9:53AM1.10m
10:59PM1.21m
12:15PM1.21m
00:43AM1.33m
Low Tide
11:09AM0.05m
11:36PM0.12m
11:40AM0.14m
00:11AM0.21m
12:14PM0.26m
00:51AM0.35m
12:56PM0.42m
1:45AM0.51m
1:58PM0.59m
3:22AM0.65m
4:09PM0.71m
5:49AM0.61m
6:29PM0.60m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:47
6:46
6:43
6:43
6:41
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:09
6:10
6:12
6:12
 mm
1
30
12
1
1
2
Temp °C
15
15
12
15
15
12
16
17
14
15
15
16
17
17
15
17
19
16
16
16
14
Feels °C
14
12
12
14
14
11
14
15
13
15
14
10
11
11
10
14
16
14
13
11
8
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Buffalo Bay Wildside provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Buffalo Bay Wildside can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Buffalo Bay Wildside 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 (Buffalo Bay Wildside) 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 Buffalo Bay Wildside 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Garden Route? If you are looking for accommodation near Buffalo Bay Wildside, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Garden Route, consider staying in Knysna which is 8 km (5 miles) away. Other places in and around Garden Route where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Plettenberg Bay which is 36 km (22 miles) away, George, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn.

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