Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 11 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
16.4° C
0.7° 

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 11 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 21s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 2,519 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 22s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 22s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 2.3m and 8s is also forecast. 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 2.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 12th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 22s
Best Surf 8AM (Wed 12th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 21s
Most Powerful 2PM (Thu 13th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, surfers, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve got the long-range picture for our stretch of coast. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got a run of solid, rideable swell coming through, but it’s not all plain sailing. The opening days are a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a real standout window mid-period that you’ll want to clear your schedule for. After that, we’ll see things ease off before another pulse of energy arrives later on.

First up, we’re looking at Tuesday afternoon. There’s some swell on the way, around 5.6ft from the SSW, with a 12-second period. The energy is strong, we're talking 1634. The wind is a cross-offshore from the east at 19 mph, which keeps things clean, but the water temp is sitting at 61.5°, which is about average for this time of year. It's a bit of a so-so session, really – the surf’s there but the quality is questionable, maybe some tide issues. Not the best way to kick things off.

Wednesday sees a similar story. The swell holds around 4.9ft to 5.6ft from the SSW, but the period jumps right up to 20 seconds in the morning. That’s some serious groundswell energy, with readings around 2553. Even with that long period, it’s still a bit marginal. The wind is a cross-offshore breeze, so it’s not bad, but we’re still waiting for things to really click. The afternoon brings a bit more size at 5.6ft, but the period drops a touch to 18 seconds.

Now, here’s the window that gets me excited. Thursday morning, the 13th of August, at Buffalo Bay Wildside is shaping up to be a standout. We’ve got a clean 4.9ft SSW groundswell with a solid 19-second period, and the winds are true offshore from the NE at 12 mph. This is the first time we get a proper offshore wind, and that’s going to make all the difference. The energy is pumping at 3378, and everything looks excellent for experienced surfers. This is your morning. Thursday afternoon, it gets a touch bigger at 6.2ft from the SW, but the wind backs off to a cross-offshore, and the magic is a little lost.

Friday continues with clean conditions but the swell starts to ease. Morning has 4.6ft from the SW with a light cross-offshore breeze and a 16-second period. Afternoon drops a bit further to 4.3ft, but the wind goes offshore and glassy with only 3 mph. It’s still good fun if you’ve got a shortboard, but it’s not the power of Thursday.

The weekend is a bit of a letdown. Saturday sees the swell drop to around 3.6ft, and the wind swings cross-onshore. It’s small and a bit messy. Sunday is even smaller, down to 3.0ft, with a cross-onshore wind making it choppy. This run of small surf will last a few days, so don’t get your hopes up for the weekend.

Then, out of nowhere, Monday the 17th delivers a sneaky good morning. The swell jumps back up to 6.2ft from the SW with a 13-second period, and the wind is dead glassy. That’s a clean, punchy left-hander if you can find it. Definitely worth a paddle if you can get out there before the afternoon winds pick up.

Tuesday the 18th is a write-off. The wind turns onshore and choppy, and there’s even some light rain. Surf quality is poor, so you’re better off doing something else.

Now, here’s the big one for the second week. Wednesday, the 19th of August, brings a solid pulse of SW swell. The morning is looking at a chunky 9.8ft at 11 seconds with light cross-offshore winds. But here’s the catch – that size is going to be too much for this break. It’s going to be a washing machine. If you’re an expert, maybe, but it’s really pushing it. The afternoon eases to a more manageable 7.9ft with the same swell direction, and that could be a proper session for experienced surfers.

After that, things settle into a more consistent, but less dramatic pattern. Thursday the 20th has clean 5.9ft surf in the morning with glassy conditions, and Friday sees a new easterly swell mix, but the winds turn onshore and it gets a bit messy. The following weekend looks mediocre with onshore winds and rain, so keep the board in the car.

Looking further out, the last couple of days of the window, the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of August, show another solid run of SW swell, with heights consistently in the 5.6ft to 7.2ft range. The winds look to be cross-offshore and clean, with some solid energy readings. It’s a promising end to the forecast, but remember, that’s a long way off, so treat it with a bit of caution.

All in all, the

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Fri morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
PM
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
5
3
4
4
4
2
2
3
1
1
2
3
4
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
23
1.5
SSW
20
1.7
SSW
18
1.7
SSW
17
1.5
SSW
19
1.9
SW
17
1.6
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
0.8
E
9
0.9
SW
13
1
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.9
SW
13
1.7
SW
13
1.5
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
802
751
1748
1877
1796
1694
2238
1225
954
777
598
471
465
102
245
412
833
1164
1011
734
Wind (km/h)
30
E
20
ENE
20
E
30
E
15
ENE
20
NE
20
ENE
20
NNE
10
NNE
5
ENE
5
WNW
5
S
10
ESE
5
NW
15
W
10
WSW
5
NNE
5
SE
5
WSW
5
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
off
glassy
cross-on
cross
High Tide
3:01PM1.71m
3:16AM1.75m
3:41PM1.84m
3:55AM1.80m
4:18PM1.92m
4:31AM1.80m
4:52PM1.93m
5:05AM1.75m
5:26PM1.88m
5:37AM1.66m
5:57PM1.78m
6:08AM1.54m
6:27PM1.64m
Low Tide
9:12PM0.15m
9:30AM0.03m
9:53PM0.06m
10:05AM-0.03m
10:31PM0.03m
10:39AM-0.04m
11:06PM0.05m
11:10AM0.01m
11:38PM0.12m
11:40AM0.10m
00:10AM0.22m
12:09PM0.23m
00:40AM0.35m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:05
7:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:57
5:58
5:59
 mm
1
Temp °C
16
14
16
19
15
21
25
23
25
28
20
17
18
16
17
17
15
18
19
15
Feels °C
11
9
11
13
9
17
21
18
23
24
17
17
17
15
15
15
14
18
18
13
  • Map Icons:
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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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