
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 7,271 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s. 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let's have a look at what's on the table for Buffalo Bay Wildside. The window's got a bit of a mixed bag, but there's definitely some sparkle in there if you're patient.
The first few days, starting Wednesday the 22nd of July, are pretty average. We're looking at a 7ft SW swell with a period of 12 seconds, but the wind is cross-onshore and it's a bit choppy. The combined energy is moderate, but it's just not coming together cleanly. Thursday's a write-off, with the wind picking up to 15 mph and the swell jumping to 10ft, making it a messy, poor session.
Now, Friday the 24th of July is where it gets interesting. The swell is pumping from the SSW at 12ft with a very long 16-second period, and the combined energy is massive. The wind is a clean, light cross-off. But here's the kicker—that swell is too big for this break. It's going to be a washing machine. Only for the absolute experts, and even then, it's a maybe. The afternoon is similar, still over 10ft.
The real standout for the first week is Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of July. Saturday morning has a 8ft SW swell (13-second period) with a light Easterly cross-off breeze. The combined energy is still strong, and it's clean. This is a solid option for experienced surfers, feeling the power of that groundswell. Sunday is also excellent, with a 6ft SW swell and glassy conditions in the morning. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing unusual there.
The following week, from Monday the 27th to Wednesday the 29th of July, keeps the consistency going. Swell hangs around the 7ft to 8ft mark from the SSW, with light, clean cross-off winds. The period is long (12 to 15 seconds), giving the waves good shape. It's excellent for experienced surfers, but the crowds are possible at this spot.
We hit a bit of a flat spell starting Thursday the 30th, with smaller, weaker swells and light cross-on winds. The energy drops off, and the quality is just marginal. That continues into the start of August.
Then, things get interesting again. The 31st of July and 1st of August are absolute glassy gems. Friday the 31st has a 6ft SW swell with glassy conditions in the morning. Saturday the 1st of August has a 8ft swell from the ESE, but it's a short-period 8-second swell, so it's not going to have the same grunt. Still, with glassy conditions, it'll be clean and fun.
The real sleeper hit, and the second true standout, is Wednesday the 5th of August. It's a tiny 4ft E swell with an 11-second period, and the wind is dead calm, glassy. The combined energy is weak, but for a clean, cruisy session with no crowds, this is a beautiful morning. The period is long enough to give it some shape, and with no wind, it'll be perfect.
The very end of the forecast, Thursday the 6th of August, shows a massive 15ft SW swell coming in, but again, it's predicted to be too big for the break. So, mark your calendar for the 5th of August, and the 31st of July for glassy, clean conditions. The wild side is a bit inconsistent, so when it's on, it's worth the wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 25°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1240 | 1129 | 519 | 1208 | 1838 | 3099 | 6053 | 3987 | 2670 | 1838 | 1846 | 1315 | 913 | 798 | 1185 | 1264 | 748 | 2233 | 3130 | 3503 | 2692 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:14AM1.10m | 9:54PM1.22m | 10:58AM1.05m | 11:34PM1.19m | 12:41PM1.10m | 00:56AM1.24m | 1:43PM1.21m | 1:50AM1.33m | 2:24PM1.32m | 2:30AM1.44m | 2:59PM1.44m | 3:04AM1.53m | 3:30PM1.55m | 3:35AM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:07PM0.67m | 4:36AM0.69m | 4:43PM0.75m | 6:22AM0.67m | 6:36PM0.72m | 7:32AM0.58m | 7:43PM0.63m | 8:16AM0.47m | 8:26PM0.52m | 8:50AM0.36m | 9:01PM0.42m | 9:20AM0.26m | 9:32PM0.33m | ||||||||
7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 23 | 25 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 20 | 22 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | ESE 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
1240 | 1129 | 519 | 1208 | 125 | 1985 | 6053 | 3987 | 2670 | 1838 | 1846 | 1315 | 913 | 798 | 1185 | 1264 | 748 | 2233 | 3130 | 3503 | 2692 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SW 12 | SE 12 | S 22 | SSW 17 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 7 | SE 10 | ESE 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | E 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — |
186 | 190 | 486 | 147 | 36 | 3099 | 52 | 49 | 149 | 41 | 47 | 31 | 266 | 339 | 51 | 291 | 566 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 15 | ESE 12 | SE 8 | — | ESE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 10 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | — | E 10 | S 7 | — | — | — | — |
— | 110 | 196 | 15 | — | 91 | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | 26 | 52 | — | 45 | 72 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 10 | — | — | — | W 3 | — | ESE 5 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 |
— | — | — | — | 1838 | — | — | — | — | — | 154 | — | — | — | 8 | — | 117 | 1271 | 1646 | 1503 | 1338 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
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.










