
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 5,183 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s look at what we’ve got for the next couple of weeks. It’s a mixed bag, but there are a couple of real rippers hidden in there.
The pattern starts a bit slow, with some solid energy but not quite lining up right. We’ve got a bit of a wait before the real magic shows up. The first few days offer some waves, but the wind is a bit of a pain, coming from the east and southeast, keeping things a little bumpy. On Friday morning, September 6th, we see a real jump in the swell. It’s a powerful 8ft SSW groundswell with a very long period of 19 seconds, packing a heap of energy. The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but that long period stuff can be a bit tricky at a beach break.
The standout moment is undoubtedly Monday morning, September 7th, at Buffalo Bay Wildside. The wind drops to a dead flat glass. The swell is a solid 7ft from the SSW with a period of 14 seconds, and the energy is pumping. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced surfers. The sets will be clean and powerful, with those longer gaps between them making the paddle out a little easier. The water is a touch cooler than average at 61°, so don’t forget a wetsuit.
Tuesday morning, September 8th, also offers a chance with glassy conditions and a 5ft E swell, but the energy is much lower. The big, powerful swell comes back around Saturday, September 12th, with a 8ft SSW swell and a 15-second period. The afternoon looks the pick with a lighter cross-off wind and a decent rating, but it’s another one for experienced surfers only.
Looking further ahead, the second week gets a bit messy. The wind turns onshore and the swell stays big, but it’s not clean. The real kicker comes right at the end of the forecast window. On Thursday afternoon, September 17th, and into Friday, September 18th, the swell just goes mental. We’re talking 12ft to 13ft S swell with massive energy values. The wind is onshore, but on Friday afternoon it goes glassy, which is promising. However, these waves are far too big for anyone but the absolute top pros. It’s worth keeping an eye on, but that’s a long way off.
Bottom line: The best surf of the period is the glassy, powerful 7ft SSW swell on the morning of Monday, September 7th. If you’ve got the ability, don’t miss it. The second best is the afternoon of Saturday, September 12th, with a 8ft SSW swell. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too big.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Sun afternoon, light winds from the ENE by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SW 12 | E 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
971 | 635 | 522 | 467 | 370 | 893 | 4455 | 5183 | 2682 | 1647 | 1280 | 540 | 380 | 314 | 171 | 160 | 290 | 178 | 1707 | 1956 | 2247 | |
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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:36PM1.27m | 9:53AM1.10m | 10:59PM1.21m | 12:15PM1.21m | 00:43AM1.33m | 1:22PM1.41m | 1:40AM1.49m | 2:07PM1.61m | 2:23AM1.63m | 2:45PM1.78m | 3:00AM1.73m | 3:19PM1.90m | 3:34AM1.79m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:58PM0.59m | 3:22AM0.65m | 4:09PM0.71m | 5:49AM0.61m | 6:29PM0.60m | 7:09AM0.45m | 7:36PM0.42m | 7:57AM0.28m | 8:22PM0.24m | 8:34AM0.13m | 9:00PM0.11m | 9:08AM0.03m | 9:34PM0.02m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | S 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
639 | 328 | 82 | 467 | 370 | 325 | 4455 | 5183 | 2682 | 1647 | 1280 | 540 | 380 | 293 | 171 | 117 | 290 | 178 | 1707 | 1956 | 2247 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 10 | — | — | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | S 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 |
128 | 129 | 85 | 23 | 43 | 893 | 164 | — | — | 497 | 434 | 480 | 367 | 314 | 99 | 114 | 120 | 90 | 82 | 79 | 53 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SSW 14 | S 13 | — | S 13 | SW 10 | S 12 | — | — | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SW 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SW 14 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 |
31 | 41 | 87 | — | 14 | 25 | 26 | — | — | 35 | 49 | 495 | 144 | 102 | 47 | 160 | 36 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | — | — | — |
971 | 635 | 522 | 214 | 184 | 309 | 363 | 778 | 585 | 761 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 19 | 8 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1659 | 476 | 19 | 19 | 415 | 19 | 19 | 380 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 37 | 19 | 1 |
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.










