
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 3,708 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be onshore 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s get into it. This is a solid swell window for Buffalo Bay Wildside, but you gotta know what you’re doing. The swell is mostly from the SSW, and when it’s over 8 ft, it’s expert only. The water temp is 62°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
The first few days, from Thursday the 9th through Friday the 10th, we’ve got a solid 10 ft SSW swell pushing through, with a period of 13-14 seconds. That’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is massive—over 3500 (3573) on Thursday morning and still over 3000 (3034) in the afternoon. But the wind is cross-on or onshore, so it’s messy. The swell is also too big for this break, so unless you’re a seasoned charger, this is a no-go. Friday morning cleans up with glassy conditions and 5 km/h offshore wind, but again, 10 ft is too big for the setup here. Keep the board on the sand.
Now, Saturday the 11th is where it gets interesting for experienced surfers. The swell drops to 8 ft in the morning, still from the SSW (12-second period), with clean offshore wind from the ESE at 10 km/h. The energy is still strong (2032). This is excellent surf for those who can handle it. The afternoon gets rain showers and wind picks up to 20 km/h, so the morning is the window.
Sunday the 12th sees a drop to 5 ft in the morning, still clean with cross-off wind. The energy is moderate (724). It’s a decent surf, but not a standout. Monday the 13th is small at 4 ft, but glassy both morning and afternoon—perfect for a longboard or a beginner session. The energy is weak (400-487).
From Tuesday the 14th through Wednesday the 15th, the swell turns tiny, with mixed directions from the ESE and E. The period drops to 8-9 seconds, so it’s windswell. The energy is weak (under 250). Not worth paddling out for.
Thursday the 16th brings a new pulse of SW swell at 8 ft, with a 14-second period. The energy jumps back up (2127). But the wind is light cross-on, which makes it marginal. This one is for the keeners who don’t mind a bit of bump.
The weekend of the 18th-19th sees a smaller, weaker ESE swell (6 ft dropping to 3 ft), with clean cross-off wind on Saturday morning. The energy is moderate (696). It’s okay, but nothing special.
Now, the real standout is the 20th of July. Monday morning shows a 10 ft SSW swell with a 12-second period, light cross-shore wind, and energy of 2579. It’s too big for the break, but Monday afternoon cleans up: glassy, 8 ft, energy 1831, and it’s excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a session to mark on the calendar.
Tuesday the 21st is the biggest pulse of the whole forecast: 12 ft from the SSW, 16-second period, glassy calm wind, and absolutely massive energy (6232). That’s pure grunt. But it’s too big for this break—only for the top-tier crew.
Wednesday the 22nd through Friday the 24th keeps the SW swell running at 6 ft to 8 ft, with mostly clean or glassy conditions. The 23rd Thursday morning has offshore wind from the NE at 10 km/h, 6 ft, and energy of 1396—excellent for experienced surfers. The 24th Friday morning is glassy with 8 ft, energy 2426, and excellent conditions. That’s your second standout: a solid, clean morning for the experts.
This break is inconsistent, so when it fires, you gotta be there. The best of the best is the 20th afternoon and the 24th morning. For the rest, it’s either too big, too small, or too windy.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3562 | 3024 | 3708 | 3123 | 2773 | 2094 | 2032 | 1530 | 1431 | 560 | 452 | 371 | 265 | 260 | 121 | 143 | 140 | 166 | 162 | 179 | 1014 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 10:33AM1.20m | 11:10PM1.43m | 12:05PM1.25m | 00:31AM1.50m | 1:19PM1.36m | 1:38AM1.60m | 2:17PM1.51m | 2:34AM1.69m | 3:08PM1.65m | 3:23AM1.77m | 3:53PM1.76m | 4:08AM1.79m | 4:37PM1.83m | 4:50AM1.77m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:29PM0.55m | 5:49AM0.47m | 6:00PM0.52m | 7:05AM0.37m | 7:18PM0.42m | 8:06AM0.25m | 8:21PM0.30m | 8:57AM0.13m | 9:15PM0.19m | 9:43AM0.05m | 10:03PM0.12m | 10:24AM0.00m | 10:48PM0.10m | ||||||||
7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | |
— | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 16 |
3562 | 3024 | 3708 | 3123 | 2773 | 2094 | 2032 | 1530 | 1431 | 560 | 452 | 254 | 193 | 128 | 121 | 143 | 140 | 166 | 162 | 130 | 1014 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 17 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | — | — | W 12 | W 12 | SW 18 | SE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 6 | SW 9 |
11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 12 | 164 | 25 | 353 | 265 | 260 | 86 | 61 | 59 | 74 | 52 | 31 | 194 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | S 13 | S 12 | S 10 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSW 16 | E 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 29 | 11 | 70 | 47 | 34 | 26 | 22 | 179 | 120 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | SE 7 | E 6 | ESE 7 | E 7 | — | — | — | — | — | W 2 | SW 5 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 45 | 155 | 101 | 211 | 371 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 13 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 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.










