
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 5,183 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s 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 (Sep 06) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 7s. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore 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 (Sep 11) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Buffalo Bay Wildside.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the long-range forecast is building towards something that could be very special. The first few days are a bit of a tease, with some decent swell but the wind and conditions aren't quite locking in. The water is sitting at 61°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.
The first real chance of a wave comes Saturday morning, the 5th of September. We’re looking at a 5ft SSW swell with a period of 11 seconds, and a cross-off wind from the ESE at 12 mph. The combined energy is moderate (670). It’s clean, but it’s marginal. The same goes for the afternoon; the swell drops a little and the wind picks up. Not the best, but you could get a few.
Sunday the 6th sees a big jump in size. The morning brings a 8ft SSW swell, with a very long 19-second period, and the combined energy is strong (5113). The wind is cross-off at 16 mph. The afternoon gets even bigger at 10ft, with a 17-second period and massive energy (5772). The problem is, the forecast says it’s too big for this break. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, it’s a question mark. The wind is fresh, but the swell is just too much.
Monday the 7th is where it starts to get interesting. The morning has a 7ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and combined energy of 2826. The wind is light at 3 mph from the ENE, making it nearly glassy. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The afternoon is similar, with a 6ft swell and a light breeze. This is a standout session for the more confident crew.
Tuesday the 8th is a mixed bag. The morning has a 5ft E swell with a short 9-second period, and cross-shore wind. The afternoon is better, with a 3ft SW swell, 12-second period, and a light cross-off wind. The combined energy is moderate (600). It’s a clean, small wave option.
Wednesday the 9th is a write-off. Small onshore swell and poor conditions.
Thursday the 10th is another highlight. The morning is glassy with a 7ft SW swell, 16-second period, and strong energy (1953). The wind is virtually non-existent. That’s excellent surf for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 8ft, but the wind switches to a light cross-shore, creating some ripples.
Friday the 11th is messy with onshore wind and rain.
Saturday the 12th is another big day. The morning has a 10ft ESE swell, a short 9-second period, and a fresh cross-off wind. The energy is strong (2261). Again, too big for this break. The afternoon is the same story.
The following week is a mixed bag of onshore winds and marginal conditions, with a few clean windows. Monday the 14th afternoon looks promising with a 7ft SW swell, 13-second period, and a light cross-off wind. Tuesday the 15th morning is too big (10ft), but the afternoon is glassy with a 8ft SW swell and 12-second period. That’s excellent for the experienced.
The real standout, the one I’d circle on the calendar, is Saturday the 19th of September. The morning is forecast to be glassy, with a 13ft S swell, 12-second period, and combined energy of 4901. The afternoon is a 13ft SSE swell, still with clean conditions. The caveat is that it’s predicted to be too big for this break. This is for experts only, and only if you know the place. The swell direction is from the south, which isn’t the optimum SE direction for this spot, but the size and glassy conditions are undeniable.
So, the best bet for the general surfer is Monday the 7th of September for the clean, 7ft SSW swell, or Thursday the 10th of September for the glassy, 7ft SSW swell. The big action on the 19th is for the brave and the skilled.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Sun afternoon, light winds from the N by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SW 12 | E 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
467 | 370 | 893 | 4455 | 5183 | 2682 | 1647 | 1280 | 528 | 380 | 272 | 274 | 195 | 290 | 277 | 1880 | 2390 | 1572 | 1053 | 710 | 1133 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | glassy | on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:53AM1.10m | 10:59PM1.21m | 12:15PM1.21m | 00:43AM1.33m | 1:22PM1.41m | 1:40AM1.49m | 2:07PM1.61m | 2:23AM1.63m | 2:45PM1.78m | 3:00AM1.73m | 3:19PM1.90m | 3:34AM1.79m | 3:51PM1.96m | 4:06AM1.79m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:09PM0.71m | 5:49AM0.61m | 6:29PM0.60m | 7:09AM0.45m | 7:36PM0.42m | 7:57AM0.28m | 8:22PM0.24m | 8:34AM0.13m | 9:00PM0.11m | 9:08AM0.03m | 9:34PM0.02m | 9:40AM-0.02m | 10:05PM-0.01m | ||||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 13 |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 27 | 28 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 20 | 24 | 22 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
467 | 370 | 325 | 4455 | 5183 | 2682 | 1647 | 1280 | 528 | 380 | 251 | 173 | 120 | 290 | 277 | 1880 | 2390 | 1572 | 1053 | 710 | 344 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 10 | — | — | ESE 8 | SSE 12 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | S 5 | E 10 | SE 6 | SE 13 | SSW 13 | SE 13 |
24 | 43 | 893 | 168 | — | — | 416 | 50 | 437 | 218 | 272 | 145 | 195 | 87 | 80 | 27 | 50 | 60 | 7 | 17 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 13 | SW 10 | S 9 | — | — | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SW 11 | SSE 10 | S 4 | E 10 | SE 9 | E 10 | SE 16 | — | SW 15 |
— | 14 | 25 | 42 | — | — | 35 | 50 | 240 | 110 | 77 | 28 | 116 | 38 | 10 | 46 | 3 | 30 | 10 | — | 56 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | E 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | E 9 | — | WSW 3 | — | — | SSE 6 | — | ESE 5 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 |
203 | 245 | 319 | 448 | 589 | 408 | 728 | 414 | — | — | — | 274 | — | 2 | — | — | 45 | — | 99 | 695 | 1133 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 419 | 419 | 19 | 19 | 380 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 172 | 19 |
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.










