Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 6,288 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period. 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 13s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk surf. The only spot in the game is Buffalo Bay Wildside, and it’s an inconsistent one, so when it’s on, it’s on. Water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year – nothing to write home about.
We’ve got a slow start, but don’t walk away. Saturday morning, the 15th, we’re looking at a clean 4ft swell from the southwest, 14-second period, with a light cross-off breeze. The combined energy is moderate (609), so there’s some punch, but the waves are clean and friendly. It’s a decent opener, but the inconsistency means you’ll be waiting for sets.
The standout is Monday morning, the 17th. Swell pumps to 8ft from the southwest, 13-second period, and glassy conditions. That’s a serious groundswell with strong energy (1895) – this one’s for experienced surfers, as it’s got some size. Glassy wind means perfect conditions, and the swell direction hits the optimum southeast, so this is the best session of the whole outlook.
Tuesday the 18th keeps the flow going with a 6ft morning, glassy again, then a 7ft afternoon with a clean cross-off. Energy stays high (1119-1528), and for an inconsistent spot, this is a solid run.
From Wednesday the 19th through Thursday the 20th, we’ve got more excellent surf in the 7ft to 7ft range, glassy or clean cross-off winds. Strong energy (1230-1525). This is a quality run of expert-level waves.
Then it goes sideways. Friday the 21st is marginal, and Saturday the 22nd is a mess – 13ft of lumpy, cross-onshore chaos with near gale winds (energy over 6500). That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.
Sunday the 23rd is still too big for the break at 10ft to 12ft, even with favorable tide. Wait it out.
The next real standout is Tuesday the 25th. Tuesday afternoon brings a 8ft swell from the south-southwest with a very long 17-second period – that’s serious groundswell energy (3434). The wind is light and cross-off, so it’s clean. This is a top-tier option for experienced surfers, but with that long period, it might be a bit too straight for a beach break, so watch the lineup.
Wednesday the 26th morning is still good with 8ft and clean conditions, but the afternoon gets too big again at 10ft.
The last week fades. Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th are marginal to poor, with onshore winds and dropping quality. Saturday the 29th morning saves a bit with a glassy 7ft, but it’s not a standout.
So, the best bets are Monday morning the 17th, Tuesday afternoon the 25th, and the whole Tuesday-Thursday run from the 18th to the 20th. It’s an inconsistent spot, so when those windows open, you paddle. For the rest, it’s either too big, too windy, or just marginal.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat night, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
535 | 471 | 357 | 502 | 590 | 428 | 1325 | 1777 | 1367 | 828 | 1069 | 1497 | 2056 | 1602 | 1369 | 1007 | 1202 | 1510 | 1112 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-off | off | on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:05AM1.75m | 5:26PM1.88m | 5:37AM1.66m | 5:57PM1.78m | 6:08AM1.54m | 6:27PM1.64m | 6:38AM1.41m | 6:58PM1.48m | 7:10AM1.26m | 7:31PM1.31m | 7:49AM1.12m | 8:20PM1.16m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:06PM0.05m | 11:10AM0.01m | 11:38PM0.12m | 11:40AM0.10m | 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 | ||||||
— | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | |
5:57 | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 9 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
216 | 471 | 357 | 502 | 590 | 428 | 1325 | 1777 | 1367 | 828 | 1069 | 1497 | 2056 | 1602 | 1369 | 1007 | 1202 | 1510 | 1112 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | E 8 | SW 5 | ESE 6 | E 10 | SW 5 | E 9 | E 10 | E 11 | SW 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | E 6 |
535 | 108 | 7 | 59 | 135 | 18 | 122 | 118 | 108 | 314 | 50 | 31 | 31 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 22 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SW 6 | WSW 7 | E 8 | S 11 | SW 16 | — | — | — | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | — |
140 | 30 | 5 | 29 | 2 | 155 | — | — | — | 79 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 6 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 8 | — | WSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | — | — | WNW 3 |
— | — | 207 | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











