
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, S swell with 3,609 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 14s. 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 13s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the same stretch for Buffalo Bay Wildside, but in feet and knots.
The first few days are a bit of a dud. No real quality action until the morning of Thursday, August 13th.
That Thursday morning is the first true standout. A clean 5ft SSW groundswell with a very long 19-second period, pumping out some serious energy (4408). The wind is blowing offshore from the NNE at 15 mph, so the surface will be glassy. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but the size is a bit much for beginners. The water temp is 61°F, which is about normal for this time of year.
Friday morning, August 14th, is also a solid option. The swell drops to about 5ft from the SW, period still strong at 16 seconds (1643 energy), with a light offshore wind from the NNE at 6 mph. Clean and well-shaped, with good gaps between sets. A good session for intermediates.
The weekend of the 15th and 16th is average at best, with onshore winds and tired swell.
The next big highlight is Sunday afternoon, August 23rd. This is a long-range call, so it’s a bit less certain, but it looks fantastic. A 7ft SW swell with a 17-second period, strong energy (3068), and a clean cross-off breeze from the ESE at 9 mph. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers.
But then we have a major event starting Thursday, August 20th. Swells of 15ft to 23ft from the SE, with monstrous energy (5443 to 11255). This is way too big for a standard paddle session. The wind is good, but the size is only for experts or, more likely, kiteboarders. That oversized pulse sticks around through Friday and Saturday.
Things calm down again Monday morning, August 24th, with an 8ft SW swell at 14 seconds (2846 energy) and clean offshore winds. Tuesday morning, August 25th, is similar, with an 8ft SW swell and light offshore from the north.
The best bets are Thursday morning the 13th (near-term and reliable) and Sunday afternoon the 23rd (promising but further out). Stay clear of that huge swell in between if you’re on a regular surfboard.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 23 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | E 9 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | E 8 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1172 | 2226 | 1362 | 853 | 933 | 1748 | 1877 | 1952 | 1694 | 2264 | 1456 | 1170 | 777 | 676 | 511 | 444 | 82 | 245 | 453 | 440 | |
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 | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:17PM1.54m | 2:33AM1.66m | 3:01PM1.71m | 3:16AM1.75m | 3:41PM1.84m | 3:55AM1.80m | 4:18PM1.92m | 4:31AM1.80m | 4:52PM1.93m | 5:05AM1.75m | 5:26PM1.88m | 5:37AM1.66m | 5:57PM1.78m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:26PM0.29m | 8:51AM0.13m | 9:12PM0.15m | 9:30AM0.03m | 9:53PM0.06m | 10:05AM-0.03m | 10:31PM0.03m | 10:39AM-0.04m | 11:06PM0.05m | 11:10AM0.01m | 11:38PM0.12m | 11:40AM0.10m | 00:10AM0.22m | |||||||
— | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | |
mm | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 21 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 16 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SW 18 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | E 11 | SW 14 | E 11 |
1172 | 2226 | 1362 | 802 | 329 | 1748 | 1877 | 1126 | 740 | 2264 | 560 | 473 | 318 | 676 | 511 | 444 | 364 | 191 | 453 | 269 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | — | — | SSW 26 | SSW 23 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | S 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SW 13 | E 11 | SW 14 |
878 | — | — | 65 | 744 | 211 | 149 | 1796 | 1694 | 2 | 1456 | 1170 | 777 | 215 | 173 | 136 | 82 | 245 | 227 | 440 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | SW 10 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 4 | E 10 | SW 16 | — | SW 4 |
— | — | — | — | 8 | 45 | 35 | 38 | 886 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 3 | 78 | 242 | — | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | SW 3 | — |
— | 173 | 650 | 853 | 933 | 615 | 1271 | 1952 | 1088 | 586 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 489 | 3 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 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.











