Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 4,102 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Buffalo Bay Wildside in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 12s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright. Let’s talk Buffalo Bay Wildside in feet. First real surf we see kicks off on Wednesday, 19 August, but it’s not pretty. Water temp is a chilly 57°, which is over 5° colder than normal – that’s a big red flag, you’ll need a steamer. Swell is 8 feet from the SW, 12-second period, combined energy at 1995 – strong – but winds are onshore and the call is marginal. Not the best way to start.
The one that stands out early is Thursday, 20 August. That morning you’re looking at 11 feet of SSW groundswell, 13-second period, combined energy screaming at 4109. Wind is a light cross-onshore. It’s big – too big for most, this is expert country. If you’ve got the stones, it could be the session of the month.
Friday, 21 August morning cleans up nice. 7 feet, SW, 12-second period, cross-offshore wind from the ESE at 9 mph. Clean. Combined energy at 1256. Solid wave for experienced surfers. Afternoon is smaller but still clean.
Saturday and Sunday are forgettable – onshore winds, choppy, marginal. Skip ‘em.
Now, the real jewel in this whole 16-day window is Wednesday, 26 August. Flat calm – zero wind from the ESE. It’s 7 feet of SSW groundswell with a 15-second period. Combined energy is 1860. That’s a long-period groundswell, and at this point-and-reef setup, it should reel off nicely. Glassy conditions and solid size. That’s your best day, hands down.
Another one to watch is Monday, 31 August. Swell is 8 feet, SW, 16-second period – very long period. Combined energy is 3704. Wind is cross-off from the east at 9 mph, so clean. Again, expert level, and it’s over a week away, so keep an eye on it but don’t book the trip yet.
In short: Wednesday, 26 August is the standout. Pure glass, solid groundswell, and all to yourself if you’re lucky. The big days on the 20th and 31st are for the brave. This break is inconsistent, so when it fires, you get in the water.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1978 | 1693 | 1500 | 4102 | 3193 | 1914 | 1250 | 486 | 821 | 488 | 480 | 2071 | 2698 | 2044 | 674 | 908 | 780 | 725 | 1626 | 1584 | 1021 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 7:31PM1.31m | 7:49AM1.12m | 8:20PM1.16m | 9:23AM1.00m | 10:47PM1.07m | 12:37PM1.04m | 00:51AM1.16m | 1:37PM1.19m | 1:41AM1.29m | 2:11PM1.34m | 2:15AM1.43m | 2:39PM1.49m | 2:44AM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:08PM0.53m | 1:49AM0.63m | 1:47PM0.68m | 2:58AM0.75m | 3:17PM0.82m | 6:04AM0.77m | 6:39PM0.79m | 7:27AM0.63m | 7:40PM0.65m | 8:02AM0.49m | 8:15PM0.51m | 8:30AM0.35m | 8:44PM0.38m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 1978 | 1693 | 1500 | 4102 | 3193 | 1914 | 1250 | 486 | 821 | 488 | 480 | 2071 | 2698 | 2044 | 674 | 908 | 780 | 725 | 1626 | 1584 | 970 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | ESE 5 | SSW 14 | E 7 | SW 16 | — | — | WSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | — | S 20 | SSW 17 |
| kJ | 17 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 403 | 37 | 210 | 4 | 41 | — | — | 500 | 335 | 392 | 529 | — | 194 | 1021 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | — | E 8 | — | — | SSW 14 | — | SSW 15 | — | — | — | ESE 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | 6 | — | 5 | — | — | 330 | — | 610 | — | — | — | 58 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | WSW 6 | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | E 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | — | 164 | 333 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 121 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
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.
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