Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 22 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
17.6° C
0.3° 

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 22 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 6,916 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul)6ft (1.8m) 11s
Best Surf 2PM (Thu 23rd Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 8AM (Fri 24th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s talk about Buffalo Bay Wildside. This spot is known to be inconsistent – it doesn’t fire every time – but when it lines up, the right swell and wind can make it special. Water temp is sitting at 63.7°F, dead average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The whole stretch is exposed to swell, though the optimum direction is SE, and most of the energy we’re seeing is coming from the SW and SSW, so it’s not a perfect match, but there’s still some good windows.

We kick off Wednesday 22 July morning with a 6.9ft SW groundswell, 12 seconds, combined energy at 1426 (strong). Wind is cross-on from the WSW at 9 mph, making it a bit choppy – not the best, but you could find a few if you’re keen. That afternoon goes onshore, still messy. Thursday 23 July morning sees similar 6.9ft SW swell, light cross-on, still marginal. But Thursday afternoon the swell jumps to 9.8ft SW, 11 seconds, energy 2081 (very strong), but wind turns cross-on from WNW at 9 mph, and the comment says it’s too big for this break. That’s only for the brave.

Now, Friday 24 July is where things get exciting. Morning: 11.5ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period – that’s a long, powerful groundswell. Combined energy is 6184 (very strong). Wind is offshore from the ENE at 3 mph, glassy clean. But the size is over 8.2ft, so it’s expert territory only. This break is inconsistent, so a clean, offshore day with that much energy is a rare treat – but only if you’ve got the skills. The afternoon keeps it clean with 9.8ft SSW, 15 seconds, offshore cross-off wind, still only for experts.

Saturday 25 July settles to 7.5ft SW, 13 seconds, combined energy 1923 (strong). Morning has light cross-off wind from ESE at 3 mph, clean. That’s a solid size for advanced surfers, and the conditions are clean. Afternoon stays clean but wind picks up a bit. Still

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
2
!
4
!
!
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
1.3
SSW
12
2.1
SW
12
3
SW
11
2.2
SSW
17
3.5
SSW
16
3
SSW
15
2.5
SSW
14
2.3
SW
13
2.3
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
2
SW
12
2.1
SW
14
2.4
SSE
9
2.2
SSW
15
2.5
SSW
15
2.3
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1240
1200
519
1121
1938
2755
6132
4117
2727
1838
1756
1315
928
812
1302
1112
1712
865
2042
2697
2243
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
10
SW
10
W
10
W
15
WNW
5
W
5
ENE
10
ESE
5
N
5
ESE
15
E
10
N
5
N
5
SSE
10
WNW
10
ESE
20
ESE
20
E
15
ESE
25
ESE
5
ESE
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
9:14AM1.10m
9:54PM1.22m
10:58AM1.05m
11:34PM1.19m
12:41PM1.10m
00:56AM1.24m
1:43PM1.21m
1:50AM1.33m
2:24PM1.32m
2:30AM1.44m
2:59PM1.44m
3:04AM1.53m
3:30PM1.55m
3:35AM1.61m
Low Tide
3:07PM0.67m
4:36AM0.69m
4:43PM0.75m
6:22AM0.67m
6:36PM0.72m
7:32AM0.58m
7:43PM0.63m
8:16AM0.47m
8:26PM0.52m
8:50AM0.36m
9:01PM0.42m
9:20AM0.26m
9:32PM0.33m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:40
5:40
5:42
5:43
5:43
5:44
5:45
 mm
3
5
Temp °C
16
16
14
16
17
14
15
18
15
17
20
17
23
26
18
17
18
18
18
20
19
Feels °C
14
14
13
14
13
12
14
15
14
15
17
15
20
24
17
17
16
16
17
17
17
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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