Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 28 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
15.3°C
1.8° 

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 28 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 8,267 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period with S 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s. 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 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 11AM. 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5PM (Fri 28th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 11s
Best Surf 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep)11ft (3.5m) 18s
Most Powerful11AM (Wed 2nd Sep)13ft (4.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Buffalo Bay Wildside in feet and Fahrenheit.

The water’s a bit colder than average for this time of year — about 60°, running nearly 3° below normal — so a thicker wetsuit is a good idea.

We start off Friday morning, August 28, with some small surf. It’s about 4 ft from the S, period around 11 seconds, with moderate energy. The morning has a light 6 mph SW breeze, but it’s only marginal. The real winner Friday is the afternoon: the wind goes glassy, 3 mph from the S, and the swell cleans up nicely at 4 ft from the S. It’s not big, but it’ll be smooth as glass — perfect for a longboard or fun shape. That’s a standout to kick things off.

Saturday morning, August 29, gets messy. Wind picks up to 9 mph from the WSW, cross-onshore, and the swell drops to 3 ft from the S with moderate energy. The afternoon is weak — only 3 ft from the SSE with light cross-shore wind. Skip it.

Sunday morning, August 30, sees a bump: 6 ft from the SW, but cross-onshore wind from the W at 6 mph, period short at 9 seconds. Energy is moderate. Sunday afternoon is the real story: glassy wind from the SW, swell jumps to 7 ft from the SW with a 12-second period and strong energy. It’s too big for beginners but excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the second standout.

Monday, August 31, drops back. Morning has 5 ft from the SW with cross-onshore wind, choppy. Afternoon is onshore.

Tuesday, September 1, pushes up to 7 ft from the SW, period 12 seconds, strong energy, but onshore breeze.

Wednesday, September 2 — big stuff. A massive 13 ft swell from the SSW with a very long 17-second period, extreme energy. Wind is cross-offshore from the E at 6 mph, so it’s clean. But it’s way too big for Buffalo Bay Wildside — a beast only for experts, and that’s if you’re crazy. Same story Thursday afternoon with 12 ft and stronger wind.

Thursday, September 3, the swell drops to 8 ft from the SW, still cross-offshore from the ESE, but marginal and 25 mph wind in the afternoon — messy.

Friday, September 4, another big pulse: 12 ft from the ESE, 8-second period, strong energy, but 28 mph wind from the E — blown out and too big.

Saturday, September 5, 10 ft from the ESE, 10-second period, lighter offshore wind from the ENE. Still too big for most here.

Sunday, September 6, drops to 5 ft from the SSW, cross-onshore and choppy — poor.

Monday, September 7, we get a clean 7 ft from the ESE, 10-second period, light cross-offshore wind. Morning looks excellent for experienced surfers with strong energy. That’s a good option.

Tuesday, September 8, drops to 4 ft from the ESE, glassy morning — clean but small.

Wednesday and Thursday, September 9–10, are tiny and weak — under 4 ft, poor or marginal.

Friday, September 11, a pick-up: 7 ft from the SSW, cross-offshore wind, clean. Decent morning.

Saturday, September 12, last day — 7 ft from the ESE in the morning, then huge 13 ft from the S in the afternoon, glassy but way too big.

Best bets: Friday August 28 afternoon for clean small waves, Sunday August 30 afternoon for a bigger, punchy session for experienced surfers, and Monday September 7 morning. The rest is either too small, too windy, or too enormous.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
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
2
0
1
1
3
4
3
1
2
3
3
2
2
!
!
!
3
1
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
S
11
1.2
S
11
1.2
S
11
1
S
11
0.8
SSE
11
0.8
SW
14
1.9
SW
9
2.1
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
1.6
SW
11
1.6
SW
11
1.6
SW
11
2.2
SW
12
2.3
SW
13
2.3
SW
13
4
SSW
17
3.5
SW
16
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
13
2.4
SSW
12
3
SE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
403
338
351
251
167
241
632
1149
840
675
675
629
1258
1791
1677
8267
6317
3150
2103
1688
706
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
5
S
5
ENE
15
WSW
10
NW
15
WSW
10
W
5
SW
5
NNW
15
WSW
5
SW
5
NE
10
SW
15
WSW
15
W
10
E
25
E
20
ENE
20
ESE
40
ESE
40
ESE
Wind State
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
3:59PM1.84m
4:08AM1.76m
4:26PM1.89m
4:37AM1.76m
4:54PM1.90m
5:06AM1.72m
5:24PM1.85m
5:38AM1.64m
5:57PM1.76m
6:13AM1.53m
6:34PM1.62m
6:54AM1.38m
7:20PM1.45m
Low Tide
9:46AM0.05m
10:07PM0.09m
10:13AM0.01m
10:35PM0.06m
10:40AM0.01m
11:05PM0.06m
11:09AM0.05m
11:36PM0.12m
11:40AM0.14m
00:11AM0.21m
12:14PM0.26m
00:51AM0.35m
12:56PM0.42m
1:45AM0.51m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:50
6:50
6:48
6:47
6:46
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:09
 mm
1
1
2
1
5
4
Temp °C
20
20
18
16
16
16
13
14
13
13
14
12
15
15
14
14
15
14
17
15
16
Feels °C
19
19
17
14
14
16
10
13
12
10
11
12
13
11
12
13
11
9
14
9
10
  • 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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