
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 16s period, SW swell with 2,379 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with E 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s. 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 2.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it.
The surf window opens Tuesday morning with a bit of a pulse, but honestly, the early part of the week is a mixed bag. We’ve got clean, glassy conditions at Buffalo Bay Wildside (Bay) with the water sitting at 59.0°, which is a couple of degrees colder than we’d normally see this time of year. Definitely grab the hood if you’ve got one. That Tuesday morning session sees chest-high sets at 4.3ft from the east, with a solid 9-second period and the combined energy reading 620. It’s a fun, clean wave, but it’s not going to blow your mind. That’s the kind of surf you take before work.
Tuesday afternoon the wind shifts to a cross-offshore breeze, and it cleans up a touch more, but the swell drops a little to 3.6ft, and the energy is there but not really pushing. It’s still rideable, but the morning is the pick of that day.
Wednesday drops off significantly. It’s small, disorganized, and cross-shore winds make it a bit lumpy. At 2.3ft and a long 14-second period, it’s just not doing much. The energy is weak, sitting around 397. This is one for the longboard if you're desperate, otherwise, give it a miss.
Thursday is a bit more interesting. The swell comes back up, but the wind is onshore. Thursday morning’s 4.6ft at 16 seconds is a tease, but with that onshore wind, it's going to be messy. The afternoon pushes a bit bigger—6.9ft—but it’s cross-onshore and lumpy. Combined energy jumps to 1845, so there’s push behind it, but the quality is missing. Not great.
Friday is still average. The morning sees 5.2ft at 13 seconds, but with cross-onshore winds, it’s not clean. The afternoon is the better call here: 5.9ft, 12 seconds, and a clean cross-offshore breeze. The energy is moderate at 968, and it should be surfable, though not memorable.
Now, get this: Sunday morning, September 13th is the standout of the first week. The swell fills in to 6.9ft from the southwest, that same direction this break loves, with a 14-second period. The combined energy is cranking at 2258, signaling a strong, powerful groundswell. And the wind? Clean, light cross-offshore. This is the one. The conditions are ideal for experienced surfers. The wave will have some size and push to it—over 5ft, so it’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re comfortable on a bigger board, this is your window. The consistency is inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting for sets, but when they come, they’ll be worth it.
That Sunday afternoon holds up well, too, with 6.2ft and still clean. But the morning session is the pick.
Then comes Tuesday, September 15th. The afternoon is sneaky good. The swell jumps to 5.6ft from the south-southwest, and here’s the kicker—the period is a massive 25 seconds. That is a very long period groundswell. The energy is huge, hitting 3990. This is a proper, powerful swell. The wind is glassy, making it dead clean. This could be a really special session. It’s still under 8ft, so it’s not just for experts, but that long period will make it feel solid. Best on a point or reef, not so much at a beach break, as these long-period swells tend to stand up and close out on sandbars.
Now, I’m going to be honest with you about the second week. It starts to get out of hand. Wednesday, September 16th sees the swell jump to a solid 11.5ft. That’s too big for this break. The energy readings are off the charts—7298. It’s just going to be a washing machine, even with favorable winds. This one’s for the big-wave chargers, not for us mere mortals.
Thursday, September 17th, is all over the place. The morning is cross-onshore with 6.9ft, and the afternoon brings a fresh 30 km/h cross-offshore wind with a 13.1ft swell from the south-southeast. That’s a different direction than this spot wants, and it’s just too big. Not good.
Friday and Saturday of that week are a write-off. Big, lumpy, and onshore winds. The water will be a mess. 9.8ft on Friday, and by Saturday it's still 8.2ft but with onshore wind and poor conditions. You’d be better off going for a run or kitesurfing if that's your thing. The waves will be closing out and blown out.
The last couple of days, starting Sunday the 20th, die down a bit, but the quality is still not there. 8.2ft and dropping, but mostly onshore. By the 21
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | SW 12 | E 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
269 | 314 | 165 | 198 | 290 | 282 | 1057 | 1784 | 1162 | 838 | 895 | 593 | 825 | 1554 | 2291 | 1761 | 1273 | 690 | 459 | 319 | 273 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:07PM1.61m | 2:23AM1.63m | 2:45PM1.78m | 3:00AM1.73m | 3:19PM1.90m | 3:34AM1.79m | 3:51PM1.96m | 4:06AM1.79m | 4:21PM1.95m | 4:36AM1.75m | 4:50PM1.88m | 5:04AM1.68m | 5:18PM1.77m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:22PM0.24m | 8:34AM0.13m | 9:00PM0.11m | 9:08AM0.03m | 9:34PM0.02m | 9:40AM-0.02m | 10:05PM-0.01m | 10:09AM-0.01m | 10:35PM0.01m | 10:38AM0.04m | 11:02PM0.08m | 11:05AM0.12m | 11:29PM0.18m | ||||||||
6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 23 | 31 | 27 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 22 | 30 | 25 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | SW 12 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
269 | 314 | 165 | 85 | 290 | 282 | 1057 | 1784 | 1162 | 838 | 895 | 593 | 825 | 1554 | 2291 | 1761 | 1273 | 264 | 302 | 176 | 180 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSE 10 | SW 11 | SW 14 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 6 | SSW 10 | ESE 6 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | E 9 | SW 12 |
243 | 77 | 142 | 198 | 85 | 60 | 455 | 53 | 54 | 37 | 37 | 44 | 143 | 56 | 380 | 421 | 311 | 690 | 459 | 186 | 273 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SW 16 | SSE 9 | SW 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | E 10 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | — | E 11 | SW 15 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | SW 12 | SSE 8 |
108 | 41 | 27 | 114 | 36 | 16 | 56 | 8 | 4 | — | 36 | 106 | 45 | 31 | 95 | 76 | 65 | 177 | 186 | 319 | 68 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 9 | — | — | — | W 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 235 | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 171 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










