Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 12 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
16.6° C
0.7° 

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 12 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,026 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.7m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Buffalo Bay Wildside in the next 16 days are 2.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 12th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s
Best Surf 5AM (Thu 16th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 2AM (Thu 16th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 15s

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


Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s going on at Buffalo Bay Wildside.

The forecast starts with a bit of a slow roll, but there’s some real magic hiding in the second week if you’ve got the nerve for it. This spot is an inconsistent one, so when it lines up, you pay attention. The water temp is sitting at 62.1°F, which is about 1.3°F cooler than usual for this time of year – nothing crazy, just a touch of winter still hanging around.

We kick things off on Sunday the 12th with a modest 4.6ft swell from the SSW, period around 11 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (678). It’s clean, but the wind is a cross-off from the east at 12 mph, so it’s not glassy. A fair session, but nothing to write home about.

Monday the 13th morning is where it gets interesting. The wind drops to glassy, a slight air from the ESE at just 3 mph. The swell drops a touch to 3.9ft from the SSW, still a 10-second period, and the energy is moderate (514). The wave comment says "expect very good surf conditions," and with that glass, it’ll be clean. That’s a solid window.

Tuesday the 14th morning has a bit of cross-on wind, but the afternoon turns glassy again with a 4.6ft swell from the ESE, 9-second period. Energy is moderate (386). It’s clean, but the period is a bit short, so the waves might be a little fat.

Now, Wednesday the 15th afternoon is a standout. The swell drops to 3.3ft, but listen to this: a 17-second period from the SW. That’s a very long period groundswell. The energy jumps to 1150 (moderate), the wind is glassy, and the forecast says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." For a break that’s inconsistent, this is a golden moment. The long period means it’ll peel nicely at this exposed setup, but it might be a bit too straight for the beachy sections. For the experienced crew, this is the best on offer in the first week.

Thursday the 16th through Friday the 17th see the swell building. Thursday morning has 8.2ft from the SW at 14 seconds, but the wind is a light cross-on, making it a bit messy. The energy is strong (2379). Friday afternoon looks better: 7.2ft from the SW, 11-second period, with a cross-off wind from the ESE at 6 mph. Clean waves, and the forecast says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers" again. That’s a solid session.

The second week is where things get serious. Wednesday the 22nd afternoon has 8.2ft from the SW with a 13-second period, glassy wind, and the forecast says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." Energy is 2502 (strong). Thursday the 23rd morning is similar: 6.9ft, 13 seconds, glassy, excellent conditions. These are both expert-level windows.

But the real beast shows up on Friday the 24th. Swell hits 14.8ft from the SW with a 16-second period – that’s very long period groundswell. The combined energy is massive (9586). The wind is glassy in the morning and cross-off in the afternoon. The forecast warns that the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. That’s strictly for the brave (or foolish) experts only. This level of swell and energy is going to be a wild, dangerous paddle. Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are similar – 11.5ft to 14.8ft with glassy or offshore winds, but again, the swell is too big for the break. If you’re not a seasoned charger, stay on the beach.

After that, the swell starts to ease on Monday the 27th, with 5.6ft from the SW at 15 seconds, but the wind goes cross-on, making it less appealing.

So, the standout windows: Wednesday the 15th afternoon for the long-period, glassy, clean conditions (best for experienced), and the Friday the 24th morning for the absolute monster swell if you’re a big-wave specialist. The second week is promising but less certain with that energy.

Stay safe out there.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
2
2
1
2
2
1
4
5
3
3
1
3
4
2
3
3
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SSW
11
1.3
SSW
11
1.2
SSW
10
1.4
ESE
8
1.4
ESE
8
1.5
ESE
9
1.4
ESE
9
1.2
ESE
9
1
E
9
1
SW
17
2.5
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2.3
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
2.2
SW
11
2
SSW
10
1.3
S
11
1
S
11
1.3
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
452
353
279
231
256
328
300
248
169
580
3026
2289
1776
1703
1628
1128
839
375
231
529
411
Wind (km/h)
20
E
5
N
5
ESE
10
ESE
5
N
5
WSW
5
WSW
5
NNW
5
W
5
WNW
5
NE
5
W
5
W
15
WNW
5
SW
10
ESE
15
E
10
ENE
10
ENE
10
NNE
10
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
2:17PM1.51m
2:34AM1.69m
3:08PM1.65m
3:23AM1.77m
3:53PM1.76m
4:08AM1.79m
4:37PM1.83m
4:50AM1.77m
5:18PM1.85m
5:30AM1.70m
5:58PM1.81m
6:09AM1.60m
6:37PM1.73m
6:47AM1.48m
Low Tide
8:21PM0.30m
8:57AM0.13m
9:15PM0.19m
9:43AM0.05m
10:03PM0.12m
10:24AM0.00m
10:48PM0.10m
11:03AM0.00m
11:31PM0.12m
11:41AM0.05m
00:12AM0.20m
12:17PM0.14m
00:52AM0.30m
12:52PM0.26m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:30
7:30
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:37
5:38
 mm
2
Temp °C
18
15
18
18
16
19
18
15
17
18
15
19
17
16
14
14
14
15
18
17
21
Feels °C
15
13
17
16
15
18
16
14
16
16
14
17
15
14
12
14
11
13
16
15
19
  • 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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