Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,207 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore 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 (Aug 07) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of swell on the cards for Buffalo Bay Wildside, but you’ve gotta pick your moments. It’s an inconsistent spot, so it doesn’t fire all the time, but when it lines up, it’s worth the wait.
The first few days are a mixed bag. Friday the 7th of August has some serious size, with 8ft of SW swell and a very long 14-15 second period. The combined energy is strong (2762-3116), but the wind is cross-off, keeping it clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers only – that’s a big, powerful wave. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
The weekend turns ugly. Saturday the 8th sees the swell drop slightly to 8ft, but the wind swings onshore and it gets choppy. Sunday the 9th is a write-off with 10ft to 12ft of onshore slop and rain. This is one for the kite surfers, not paddle surfing. Monday the 10th is still messy with rain showers and bumpy conditions.
The real standout window is from Wednesday the 12th of August through to Tuesday the 19th. Things start to click on Wednesday morning. We’ve got 5ft of SW swell with a very long 20-second period, glassy conditions (0 mph wind), and clean waves. The energy is still strong (2440). This is a classic long-period groundswell, so expect those long lulls between sets, but the waves themselves will have serious shape and push. This is best for the experienced crew.
Thursday the 13th keeps it going with 7ft of SW swell at 17 seconds, cross-off wind, and clean conditions. The energy is strong (2887). Friday the 14th backs off a touch to 4ft, but you get glassy conditions again in the afternoon. Saturday the 15th is similar with 5ft to 5ft, and the afternoon is glassy. Sunday the 16th is a small drop-off, but Monday the 17th picks back up with 6ft of SW swell and glassy conditions all day – a beauty.
The second week starts to fade. Tuesday the 18th has decent 6ft swell but onshore wind, making it marginal. Wednesday the 19th is cleaner but smaller. The best of the long-range period is that Friday the 21st of August afternoon session: 7ft of SSW swell, dead calm, glassy conditions. That’s a promising one, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.
Bottom line: The best on offer is Wednesday the 12th of August morning with that long-period groundswell and glass, and Monday the 17th of August with clean, glassy conditions and solid 6ft waves. The window is a bit inconsistent, but when it’s on, it’s on.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | E 8 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2113 | 2717 | 3116 | 3009 | 2020 | 1831 | 4207 | 2800 | 3111 | 1610 | 1706 | 986 | 2665 | 1556 | 907 | 750 | 1730 | 1836 | 2113 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:00PM1.37m | 9:56AM1.14m | 10:48PM1.31m | 12:01PM1.18m | 00:33AM1.38m | 1:23PM1.34m | 1:42AM1.52m | 2:17PM1.54m | 2:33AM1.66m | 3:01PM1.71m | 3:16AM1.75m | 3:41PM1.84m | 3:55AM1.80m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:41AM0.58m | 3:58PM0.63m | 5:38AM0.57m | 6:03PM0.60m | 7:09AM0.44m | 7:29PM0.46m | 8:06AM0.28m | 8:26PM0.29m | 8:51AM0.13m | 9:12PM0.15m | 9:30AM0.03m | 9:53PM0.06m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  |  |  | |  | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | 5:51 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — |
mm | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 6 | 14 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | E 8 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 18 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 2113 | 2717 | 3116 | 3009 | 2020 | 1831 | 35 | 2800 | 3111 | 1610 | 1706 | 986 | 2665 | 1556 | 907 | 481 | 445 | 1836 | 463 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 9 | E 9 | — | E 9 | E 10 | SSE 8 | E 9 | S 10 | WSW 11 | — | SSW 26 | SSW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 10 | SSW 17 |
| kJ | 48 | 45 | — | 61 | 68 | 57 | — | 25 | 17 | 392 | 15 | 609 | 81 | — | 65 | 394 | 1730 | 170 | 2113 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | S 13 | SE 7 | — | — | S 26 | SSW 22 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 21 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 28 | 27 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 14 | 86 | — | — | 13 | 705 | 265 | 49 | 359 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 3 | ESE 5 | — | WSW 5 | SW 6 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 6 | E 8 | — | ESE 8 | — |
| kJ | — | 5 | 78 | — | 45 | 85 | 4207 | — | — | — | — | — | 207 | 250 | 370 | 750 | — | 520 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 181 | 38 | 2979 | 1 | 19 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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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