Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
14.7°C
2.5° 

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 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,873 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 15s. 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) 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 2.3m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 24th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Best Surf 8PM (Mon 24th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Most Powerful 8AM (Tue 25th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good, hard look at what the next couple of weeks are shaping up to be for Buffalo Bay Wildside.

Right off the bat, the first few days are a bit of a mixed bag. The surf’s there, but the conditions aren’t quite letting it shine. The water is sitting at a chilly 58.5°F, which is a solid 4.5°F colder than what you’d expect for this time of year – that’s a notable drop, so a thick wetsuit is the call if you’re paddling out early in the week.

Monday, August 24 kicks things off with clean, glassy conditions in the morning – winds are light out of the SW at just 3 mph. Swell is a clean 5.2ft from the SW with a 12-second period. The combined wave energy is moderate (723). The afternoon gets a touch of cross-onshore wind, but it’s still small ripples, not blown out. Not a classic, but the morning is worth a look if you’re desperate for a paddle.

Tuesday, August 25 sees the swell bumping up to 7.5ft in the morning and 8.2ft in the afternoon, with a solid SW groundswell period of 13–14 seconds. That’s a decent pulse – combined energy jumps to 2506 and 2509. But the winds are kissing the shore from the SSE and SSW, so it’ll have a bit of texture on the face. Not clean, not terrible.

Wednesday, August 26 is a step back. The wind picks up to a stiff 15-22 mph from the E. The swell drops a bit, but the energy is still strong (2260 and 1998). It’s cross-off and clean, but with those wind speeds, it’s going to be a battle. The swell is a bit too big for beginners at 6.2ft in the morning and 4.9ft in the afternoon (though that size is manageable).

Here’s the first real standout: Thursday, August 27. Winds go completely glassy in the morning – dead calm, 0 mph. Swell is a smooth 5.9ft from the SSW with a 12-second period. Combined energy is a solid 1395. This is as clean as it gets, and the surf is excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon shifts to ESE winds at 3 mph (cross-off) and the swell direction swings ESE with a shorter 9-second period, but it’s still clean at 6.9ft. The morning is the highlight of the week.

Friday, August 28 stays clean with cross-off easterly winds, but the swell drops to 4.9–5.6ft. Good, but not as special as Thursday. Saturday, August 29 starts glassy again in the morning with a small 3.0ft swell – not much power. It quickly goes poor in the afternoon as onshore winds arrive. Hard pass.

Sunday, August 30 has morning rain and onshore wind, but the afternoon turns it around. Winds shift NW at 6 mph (cross-off), and a 7.5ft SW groundswell with a 12-second period rolls in. Combined energy is 1585 – that’s a strong, clean afternoon session for experienced surfers.

Monday, August 31 and the following morning on Tuesday, September 1 are where it gets interesting again. Monday is a write-off (cross-on wind, poor conditions), but Tuesday, September 1, is an absolute beauty. Glassy winds from the WSW in the morning, then glassy from the SSW in the afternoon. Swell is a consistent 6.9–7.2ft from the SW at 14 seconds. Combined energy is a powerful 1836 to 1865. That’s a full day of clean, quality groundswell. This is the other standout.

From Wednesday, September 2, the swell just keeps building – 9.8ft to 11.5ft from the SW, with energy reading of 3382 to 3880. The forecast says the swell is too big for this break. That’s not a surfer’s wave anymore; that’s a kite surfer’s day. The winds are light and cross-off, but the sheer volume of water is going to close it out.

Thursday, September 3 through Saturday, September 5 are a complete no-go. Gale-force winds, rain, and massive 9.8ft to 13.1ft swell with onshore and cross-on winds. This is blown out and dangerous – stay out of the water.

Sunday, September 6 and Monday, September 7 calm down. Swell drops to 6.6–7.2ft from the SSE, with light winds and marginal conditions. Not worth getting excited about.

Tuesday, September 8 offers a late surprise – a clean afternoon with a 5.6ft long-period S swell at 17 seconds. Combined energy is 2648. That’s a long-period groundswell, meaning it’ll handle better over the reef or point setup. The winds are cross-off from the NNW at 9 mph. It’s clean, it’

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the E by Wed afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
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
3
4
3
3
4
2
1
3
4
4
4
4
3
1
2
0
2
3
4
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
12
1.6
SW
11
2.4
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
1.9
S
12
1.5
SSW
16
2
SSW
12
1.8
SSW
12
2.1
ESE
9
2.2
ESE
10
1.7
E
10
1.5
E
10
1.1
E
11
0.9
E
11
0.9
E
11
1.6
SW
8
2.3
SW
12
2.3
SW
12
1.3
SSW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
638
652
2323
1810
2509
1831
1013
1038
1177
872
692
896
584
468
275
195
220
314
1488
1422
403
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
5
SSW
0
N
10
SSW
10
SSE
10
NNE
25
E
35
E
20
ENE
0
E
5
ESE
10
NE
10
E
10
NNE
25
N
5
WNW
20
WSW
10
W
5
SW
10
NNW
25
S
Wind State
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
2:11PM1.34m
2:15AM1.43m
2:39PM1.49m
2:44AM1.55m
3:06PM1.63m
3:12AM1.65m
3:32PM1.75m
3:40AM1.72m
3:59PM1.84m
4:08AM1.76m
4:26PM1.89m
4:37AM1.76m
4:54PM1.90m
Low Tide
8:02AM0.49m
8:15PM0.51m
8:30AM0.35m
8:44PM0.38m
8:56AM0.23m
9:11PM0.26m
9:21AM0.12m
9:39PM0.16m
9:46AM0.05m
10:07PM0.09m
10:13AM0.01m
10:35PM0.06m
10:40AM0.01m
11:05PM0.06m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:04
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:06
6:07
6:07
 mm
1
4
11
8
Temp °C
15
15
12
14
15
13
17
18
15
21
23
22
28
33
33
27
26
16
15
14
15
Feels °C
14
14
13
13
14
12
13
12
10
21
23
20
25
31
27
26
26
14
15
14
15
  • 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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