
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with 4,746 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period with SSW 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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Buffalo Bay Wildside in the next 16 days are 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s get into it.
The first proper surf window kicks off this Saturday the 11th of July at Buffalo Bay Wildside. We’ve got a solid 8 ft SSW groundswell rolling in with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is strong at 2044. The wind's a light easterly cross-off, so it’ll be clean. This is one for experienced surfers only – that size is too much for beginners. Water sits at 62°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The break is inconsistent, so you’ll need patience, but when a set comes through, it’ll be worth it. Crowds are possible, but the inconsistency might thin them out a bit.
Sunday the 12th is a step down to 5 ft in the morning, same SSW direction, still clean with light east wind. The energy drops to moderate (745). Still good for a paddler with some experience, but not as beefy. By Monday the 13th, we’re into smaller, glassy conditions – 4 ft SSW with a 10-second period, light west wind making it glassy. The energy is moderate (577). This is a nice, user-friendly day for intermediate surfers.
Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th are small and glassy, with swells under 5 ft. The wind is light or calm, so conditions are clean, but the energy is weak (347 to 551). Fine for a longboard or a funboard, but nothing to get too excited about.
Then Thursday the 16th gets messy. The swell jumps back to 8 ft, but the wind swings WSW and picks up to 16 mph, making it onshore and choppy. Energy is very strong (2803), but the quality is poor. Give it a miss.
Friday the 17th is a big one – 13 ft SSW swell with 12-second period, energy is very strong (4681). But that’s way too big for this spot. Wind is light and cross-off in the afternoon, but the swell is simply too much for paddle surfing. Honestly, this looks more like a kite-surfing day than a surf day.
Saturday the 18th is the standout for experts. The swell drops to 8 ft SW, period 12 seconds, and the wind is offshore from the ENE at 9 mph. Energy is very strong (2979). This is clean, powerful, and for experienced surfers only. The inconsistency means you’ll be waiting, but the waves that come through will be quality.
Sunday the 19th is still decent – 7 ft SSE swell, cross-off wind, clean. Energy is strong (2190). Good for experienced surfers, but the wind shifts later in the day.
From Monday the 20th onward, the surf fades and the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, making conditions choppy. There’s a gap of a few days with poor quality, but then around Wednesday the 22nd, a new 6 ft SSW groundswell arrives with a 14-second period, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s marginal. Energy is moderate (1219).
The real pick after the first week is Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th. Friday the 24th has 8 ft SW swell, 13-second period, clean cross-off wind from the ESE. Energy is strong (1809). This is excellent for experienced surfers. Saturday the 25th morning is similar – 8 ft SW, light north wind, clean. Energy is strong (1597). Both these mornings are prime. The afternoon on Saturday goes onshore, so get in early.
Sunday the 26th is still solid size (7 ft) but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, so it’s a bit messy.
Overall, the best two windows are Saturday the 18th and Friday the 24th/Saturday the 25th mornings. The 18th is the bigger, more powerful groundswell, but the 24th and 25th offer cleaner conditions with slightly smaller, still very solid waves. For the 18th, expect a long-period groundswell that will break a bit straight at the beach, so it’s all about finding the right take-off spot. For the 24th, the period is a touch shorter, so the waves will be more manageable.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ESE 8 | SSW 10 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SW 8 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2044 | 1659 | 1365 | 631 | 515 | 408 | 279 | 260 | 157 | 227 | 268 | 248 | 207 | 210 | 2880 | 2743 | 2256 | 4085 | 4629 | 4357 | 3267 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 1:19PM1.36m | 1:38AM1.60m | 2:17PM1.51m | 2:34AM1.69m | 3:08PM1.65m | 3:23AM1.77m | 3:53PM1.76m | 4:08AM1.79m | 4:37PM1.83m | 4:50AM1.77m | 5:18PM1.85m | 5:30AM1.70m | 5:58PM1.81m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:18PM0.42m | 8:06AM0.25m | 8:21PM0.30m | 8:57AM0.13m | 9:15PM0.19m | 9:43AM0.05m | 10:03PM0.12m | 10:24AM0.00m | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:03AM0.00m | 11:31PM0.12m | 11:41AM0.05m | 00:12AM0.20m | ||||||||
7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | |
— | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SW 7 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | E 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
2044 | 1659 | 1365 | 631 | 515 | 228 | 277 | 181 | 157 | 227 | 268 | 248 | 207 | 89 | 2880 | 2743 | 2256 | 72 | 4629 | 4357 | 3267 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 12 | SW 18 | SE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SW 5 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | E 10 | E 11 | SSW 16 |
3 | 3 | 12 | 114 | 25 | 408 | 279 | 260 | 125 | 78 | 40 | 25 | 35 | 133 | 81 | 60 | 61 | — | 52 | 35 | 552 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | SSW 15 | W 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 20 | E 10 |
— | — | 17 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 21 | 2 | 86 | 42 | 42 | 54 | 52 | 119 | — | — | — | — | — | 38 | 32 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | SW 8 | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 13 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 151 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 84 | 210 | — | — | 12 | 4085 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 78 | 380 | 19 | 19 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










