Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 5,049 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Buffalo Bay Wildside in the next 16 days are 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 13s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, calling in from Turtle Bay, with Buffalo Bay Wildside as the only spot in this region that’s got anything going. Nothing until Sunday afternoon (August 16th), so it’s flat before that.
Let’s talk about Buffalo Bay Wildside (this is a lake, so don’t think you’re hitting the ocean). Come Sunday afternoon (August 16th), we’ve got a 4ft SW swell, 12-second period, glassy calm – not a breath of wind. Water temp is 57°, which is a wild 6° colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll be in a full 5/4 for sure. Combined energy is moderate (608). This is your best bet of the whole forecast for small, clean waves.
Monday morning (August 17th) bumps up to 7ft SW, 13-second period, still glassy with light ESE wind. Combined energy hits strong (1793). This is for experienced surfers only – proper groundswell. The afternoon holds at 6ft and clean. Tuesday (August 18th) and Wednesday (August 19th) have similar size but winds go onshore and cross-on, ruining the texture. Wednesday morning sees 8ft, but it’s messy.
Thursday morning (August 20th) brings a big 12ft SSW swell with cross-on wind – combined energy is very strong (4048). That’s expert territory, and with the wind, it’s more for charging than cruising. Friday (August 21st) is a good reset: 7ft SW, clean cross-off ESE wind, and solid energy (1353). Saturday (August 22nd) drops to 5ft but cross-on wind chops it up. Sunday (August 23rd) is a beast – 16ft SSW, 15-second period, huge energy (11322), and strong WSW wind. This is kite territory, not paddle. Monday (August 24th) stays huge at 13ft, but early glassy wind might make it work if the lake has a reef or point. Tuesday (August 25th) is a sweet spot: 6ft SSW, clean cross-off E wind, great energy (1632). Wednesday (August 26th) fades to 3-4ft SSE, cross-off, but low energy (842). From Thursday (August 27th) onward it’s mostly onshore, messy, and marginal, with one last big pulse on August 31st: 12ft SW, long 14-second period, clean cross-off E wind, but massive energy (4598) – only for experts, and only if the break stays open. Crowds are sometimes a factor at Buffalo Bay Wildside, so bring your patience.
Best moments? Sunday afternoon (August 16th) for small glassy fun, and Friday (August 21st) and Tuesday (August 25th) for cleaner bigger waves. The first week has the goods; the second week is mostly a pass.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1246 | 1613 | 1182 | 1089 | 1247 | 1697 | 2111 | 1860 | 1693 | 1500 | 3980 | 3785 | 2195 | 1346 | 1065 | 806 | 534 | 2846 | 4902 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | off | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:08AM1.54m | 6:27PM1.64m | 6:38AM1.41m | 6:58PM1.48m | 7:10AM1.26m | 7:31PM1.31m | 7:49AM1.12m | 8:20PM1.16m | 9:23AM1.00m | 10:47PM1.07m | 12:37PM1.04m | 00:51AM1.16m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:10AM0.22m | 12:09PM0.23m | 00:40AM0.35m | 12:38PM0.38m | 1:11AM0.49m | 1:08PM0.53m | 1:49AM0.63m | 1:47PM0.68m | 2:58AM0.75m | 3:17PM0.82m | 6:04AM0.77m | 6:39PM0.79m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — |
 | 5:58 | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | — | SW 12 |
| kJ | 1246 | 1613 | 1182 | 1089 | 1247 | 1697 | 2111 | 1860 | 1693 | 1500 | 3980 | 3785 | 2195 | 1346 | 1065 | 806 | 534 | — | 3919 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 9 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — |
| kJ | 88 | 111 | 110 | 81 | 55 | 50 | 31 | 30 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | — | E 9 | E 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 22 | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | WSW 6 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 120 | 2846 | 4902 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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