Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 28 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
17.4° C
0.2° 

Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with 4,625 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 7s. 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) 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 1.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Tue 28th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 28th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 5AM (Tue 28th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Buffalo Bay Wildside, the only spot on the menu for this stretch.

We’re kickin’ things off on Tuesday, July 28th, and we’ve got some serious size straight away. A solid 10-foot SSW groundswell is rolling in, with a very long period of 15 seconds. The combined wave energy is massive at 3722. That’s a *lot* of power. But here’s the thing – this break is inconsistent, and with that much juice, it’s for experienced surfers only. The cross-off wind from the ESE at 12 mph is keeping things clean, but it’s a heavy one. The water temp is sitting at 63.3°, which is about average for this time of year. By the afternoon, the swell drops to 8 feet and the energy backs off a bit, but conditions are more marginal.

Wednesday the 29th is a bit of a downer. Swell drops to 6 feet in the morning, and the wind is kicking up to 16 mph, keeping it messy. The afternoon is much the same, just a bit smaller. Not much to get excited about here.

Thursday the 30th is the real standout for the early part of the week. The morning brings a clean 5-foot SW swell with a 13-second period, and a light ENE breeze at 9 mph. The energy is still pretty solid at 1107. This is the best bet for a good session – clean conditions and a manageable size that’s still fun. The afternoon gets a bit windier and the quality drops right off.

Friday the 31st starts small and clean in the morning with 4-foot SW swell, but it’s inconsistent. The wind is light at 6 mph, making for some tidy lines. The afternoon changes up completely – the swell direction swings to the ESE with a short 8-second period, and the size jumps to 8 feet. That’s a bit of a messy combo.

Saturday, August 1st, is a beauty. The morning has 7-foot ESE swell with a 9-second period, and the wind is a light N at 6 mph. But the afternoon – that’s the real gem. The wind drops to glassy, the swell holds at 7 feet, and the energy is solid at 967. It’s gonna be a clean, fun afternoon. Crowds are a possibility here, so get in early.

Sunday, August 2nd, sees a bit of a cross-on wind come in, and the swell starts to back off. It’s not the cleanest, but it’s still surfable.

Monday, August 3rd, is a classic. The morning is glassy, with a 3.5-foot SW groundswell and a very long 16-second period. The energy is 1388, which is a lot for that size. It’s gonna be a clean, lined-up, but inconsistent session. The afternoon picks up to 6 feet with a 15-second period, and the wind is light cross-off. This is another standout window.

Tuesday, August 4th, is a bit of a mixed bag, but the afternoon brings a moderate offshore wind from the NE at 12 mph, cleaning up the 5-foot SW swell. It’s a good option.

Wednesday, August 5th, is magic. The morning is glassy with a 4.5-foot SW groundswell at 16 seconds. The energy is 1446. That’s a clean, powerful, long-period swell. The afternoon gets bigger – 7.5 feet with a 14-second period – and the wind is light cross-off. This is a standout day.

Alright, now we get into the second week. Things get a bit more unpredictable.

Thursday, August 6th, is a write-off. Strong onshore winds and big, lumpy conditions. Not worth paddling out.

Friday, August 7th, starts with a thumping 10-foot SW swell, but it’s too big for this break. The wind is light, but the size is for experts only.

Saturday, August 8th, is windy and onshore, with a 13-foot SW swell in the afternoon. That’s a big, messy, no-go.

Sunday, August 9th, is a similar story – strong winds and big swell. Not good.

Monday, August 10th, is a big 10-foot ESE swell with a short period. It’s a bit of a mess.

Now for the real late-cycle standouts, and these are promising but a bit further out. Tuesday, August 11th, is glassy all day. The morning has 7-foot SW swell, and the afternoon is a gem – 6-foot SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, and a massive energy of 3199. That’s a clean, powerful, glassy session. The best on offer in the second week.

Wednesday, August 12th, is heavy. 11.5-foot SW swell with a 16-second period and an energy of 5810. That’s a monster. It’s going to be a beast. Only for the brave, and even then, it might be too much.

Overall, the best of the best is Thursday, July 30th morning, and the glassy afternoon on Saturday, August 1st. For the second week, keep an eye on the glassy windows on August 11th. It

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
3
4
3
3
4
4
2
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
2
3
4
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SSW
15
2.5
SSW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.9
SW
13
1.8
SW
13
1.7
SSW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.5
SSW
13
1.4
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
2.5
ESE
8
2.5
E
9
2.1
ESE
9
2.1
ESE
9
2.3
ESE
10
1.9
ESE
10
1.6
E
10
1.3
SW
12
1.1
SW
16
1.8
SW
15
1.8
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3720
2518
1570
1182
1144
1061
854
784
690
473
711
1080
729
708
940
696
479
546
581
1432
1069
Wind (km/h)
20
ESE
25
E
20
ENE
20
E
25
E
10
NE
15
ENE
25
E
15
NE
10
ENE
15
E
15
NE
10
N
5
E
15
NNE
10
W
10
WSW
5
WNW
0
SSE
5
ESE
10
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross
High Tide
3:30PM1.55m
3:35AM1.61m
3:59PM1.64m
4:04AM1.66m
4:28PM1.71m
4:33AM1.68m
4:56PM1.75m
5:01AM1.68m
5:24PM1.77m
5:31AM1.64m
5:54PM1.75m
6:03AM1.58m
6:27PM1.70m
Low Tide
9:20AM0.26m
9:32PM0.33m
9:48AM0.18m
10:03PM0.26m
10:15AM0.12m
10:32PM0.22m
10:42AM0.08m
11:02PM0.19m
11:09AM0.08m
11:32PM0.20m
11:37AM0.11m
00:05AM0.23m
12:08PM0.18m
00:40AM0.29m
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:46
5:47
5:49
 mm
1
Temp °C
15
15
14
16
18
15
16
19
15
16
19
16
20
24
20
22
21
16
19
22
19
Feels °C
11
11
10
12
13
11
13
15
11
13
15
12
17
22
16
19
18
14
19
22
17
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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