Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
17.6° C
0.4° 

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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 5,747 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s period with ESE 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 (Jul 20) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 10s. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 9s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5PM (Mon 20th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Best Surf 2PM (Thu 23rd Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 8AM (Fri 24th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, grab a coffee and listen up. I’ve been staring at the charts for Buffalo Bay Wildside, and there’s one clear message: this spot is a fickle beast, but when it lights up, it really lights up.

Right now, the outlook is a slow burner. We’re kicking off with some surf on Monday the 20th, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Monday morning you’re looking at a 6ft southwest swell with a moderate 11-second period, but the wind is cross-on, and the combined energy is moderate (1127). It’s marginal. The afternoon cleans right up, though—the wind goes glassy, the swell drops to a cleaner 4ft from the ESE with a longer 12-second period, and the energy is still decent (868). That’s a nice window for a few clean waves, but it’s inconsistent here, so don’t expect a party.

The real standout is Tuesday morning the 21st. Get on it. Glassy conditions, a solid 6ft swell from the SSW with a long 14-second period, and the combined energy is strong (1829). The surf report says it’s excellent for experienced surfers, and I’m buying that. This is a true groundswell with long gaps between sets, but when they come, they’ll be well-shaped. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The swell builds through the week, but the wind gets messy. By Wednesday morning the 22nd, it’s cross-on and choppy with a 7ft swell. Thursday afternoon the 23rd gets big—10ft from the southwest—but the wind is howling onshore and it’s too big for this break. Friday the 24th is a monster, with a 12ft SSW swell and a very long 15-second period, but again, it’s predicted to be too big for Buffalo Bay. The combined energy is a massive 5089, but this is a beach-and-reef setup, so it’s more interesting for kite surfers than paddle surfers.

The surf settles around Saturday the 25th. Clean conditions, a 8ft to 8ft SSW swell, good 13-second period, and strong energy. Saturday morning and afternoon both look excellent for experienced surfers. Sunday the 26th brings glassy conditions again with a 6ft to 5ft southwest swell, and the energy is moderate (947). That’s a solid, clean day for those who can handle the inconsistency.

We hit a rough patch from the 27th to the 29th. Strong winds, poor conditions, and the surf is blown out. It’s a dead zone. Then we get a decent run starting Tuesday the 28th, but it’s still marginal. The next real highlight is Wednesday the 29th. A 8ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and clean cross-off winds. The energy is strong (2531). That’s a good day for experienced surfers, but it’s a week away, so keep your fingers crossed.

Thursday the 30th afternoon is another glassy moment with a 6ft southwest swell and 12-second period. Energy is moderate (1006). Clean and fun. The rest of the window into August is a washout—very poor conditions with strong onshore winds and dropping swell heights. The last shot is on the 4th of August, a Tuesday morning: glassy, a 8ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and strong energy (2696). That’s a promising long-range call, but it’s nearly two weeks out, so don’t book your flights yet.

Overall, the best on offer is Tuesday morning the 21st. It’s glassy, the swell is a solid 6ft from the SSW, and the period is a proper 14 seconds. The crowds can show up here sometimes, so get there early. The setup is a deep-water reef, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. After that, Wednesday the 29th is another standout for experienced surfers. The rest is a game of patience.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
3
4
3
4
3
2
2
2
!
3
!
!
4
4
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SW
9
1.8
SW
11
1.2
ESE
12
1.2
ESE
11
1.9
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
14
2.4
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
1.3
SSW
12
1.7
SW
8
3
SW
11
2.5
SW
10
3.5
SSW
15
3
SSW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
945
792
371
347
1504
2403
1942
1240
1180
503
419
1888
1377
5038
4005
2415
1838
2111
1315
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
5
W
5
SSW
10
NNW
5
WSW
5
SE
10
NE
10
W
15
WSW
15
W
10
WNW
20
WSW
5
NW
5
ESE
10
SE
5
NW
5
SE
10
ESE
10
ENE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross
off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
7:27AM1.34m
7:56PM1.47m
8:12AM1.21m
8:44PM1.33m
9:14AM1.10m
9:54PM1.22m
10:58AM1.05m
11:34PM1.19m
12:41PM1.10m
00:56AM1.24m
1:43PM1.21m
1:50AM1.33m
Low Tide
1:32AM0.42m
1:29PM0.40m
2:16AM0.53m
2:10PM0.55m
3:12AM0.63m
3:07PM0.67m
4:36AM0.69m
4:43PM0.75m
6:22AM0.67m
6:36PM0.72m
7:32AM0.58m
7:43PM0.63m
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:28
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:38
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:40
5:42
5:43
 mm
1
Temp °C
15
16
17
14
16
16
13
16
17
14
17
18
15
17
19
16
18
20
16
Feels °C
11
15
15
13
15
15
12
14
14
12
14
14
13
16
17
16
17
18
14
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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