Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with 7,454 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s. 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 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Buffalo Bay Wildside.
We’ve got a run of surf coming through, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The early part of the week has some solid height, but the wind and conditions are going to keep things from being perfect. The water temp is sitting at 64°, which is about average for this time of year, so no need to dig out the thickest rubber just yet.
The real standout of the whole forecast is Tuesday the 21st. We’re looking at a clean, glassy morning with a 7ft SSW swell and a period of 14 seconds. That’s proper groundswell with plenty of grunt and shape. The wave energy is strong (1949). The wind goes glassy, and by the afternoon it’s a clean cross-off breeze. Conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is the day to circle. The swell direction is a good match for the break’s optimum SE direction, so it should line up nicely.
Saturday the 25th is another solid shout. The morning is glassy again with a 8ft SSW swell (13-14 second period). The combined energy is very strong (2401-2623). The wind stays clean, and the surf is in the excellent range for experienced surfers. This spot is inconsistent, so when it's on, it's worth the gamble.
Monday the 22nd sees a 7ft SW swell, but a cross-on wind kicks up and makes it choppy. Things get messy. By Thursday the 24th, the swell jumps to a massive 12ft with a 16-second period (wave energy of 6659). That’s serious power, and the wind is clean and cross-off, but it’s simply too big for this spot. That’s expert-only territory if you’re feeling brave.
The second week starts to look a bit grim. From the 28th onward, we’ve got rain showers, rain, and strong cross-on winds. There’s still size, but the quality drops off a cliff. The 31st of July sees another 12ft SSW pulse, but it’s cross-on and messy. Too big and too windy for a good time.
The 30th of July morning is a little glimmer: a 6ft SW swell with a clean cross-off wind and a 12-second period. Wave energy is moderate (1405). It’s a good option if you want a break from the chaos.
For the first few days of August, it’s mostly onshore winds and rain, with some size but very poor conditions. The 4th of August has a very long period 17-second SSW swell at 5ft, but the wind is onshore and it’s raining. The shape would be there, but the wind will ruin it.
Best bet: Tuesday the 21st for the cleanest, glassiest conditions. Saturday the 25th is your next best pick for a clean, powerful session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 11 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 792 | 371 | 380 | 1582 | 2668 | 1942 | 1319 | 1129 | 511 | 1022 | 2077 | 7454 | 6609 | 4723 | 3456 | 2368 | 2576 | 1568 | 1200 | 944 | 1150 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross |
High Tide | 7:56PM1.47m | 8:12AM1.21m | 8:44PM1.33m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:29PM0.40m | 2:16AM0.53m | 2:10PM0.55m | 3:12AM0.63m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — |
 | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 24 | 29 | 22 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 21 | 27 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 10 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | ESE 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 792 | 315 | 380 | 1582 | 2668 | 1942 | 1319 | 1129 | 511 | 1022 | 94 | 7454 | 6609 | 4723 | 3456 | 2368 | 2576 | 1568 | 1200 | 944 | 1150 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | ESE 12 | SW 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SW 12 | ESE 12 | S 22 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 5 | SSW 15 | ESE 6 |
| kJ | 319 | 371 | 262 | 359 | 265 | 222 | 186 | 157 | 486 | 127 | 9 | 54 | 50 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 47 | 34 | 9 | 242 | 11 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SW 11 | SSW 16 | E 10 | — | — | E 4 | S 15 | ESE 12 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 10 | ESE 5 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 16 | 182 | 291 | 8 | — | — | 5 | 110 | 175 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 10 | 17 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | NW 3 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | — | W 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 14 | 3 | 2077 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 37 | 1 | 3 | 342 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.
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