Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 4,643 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Buffalo Bay Wildside in the next 16 days are 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 12s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. The next two weeks are a real mixed bag for Buffalo Bay Wildside, starting quiet and all over the place. There’s a massive spike early on, but it’s a real expert-only affair, then a long dry spell before another promising window late in the run.
The first real action is on Wednesday, September 2nd, in the morning. We’ve got a solid 10ft swell from the SW, with a period of 13 seconds, packing a punch with strong wave energy (2831). The wind is glassy, which is a beautiful thing, but the swell is too big for this spot. This is serious, heavy water for experienced surfers only. The water is a very unusual 58°F, which is 5° colder than normal for this time of year, so that’s a notable chill.
The standout session in this whole run is Sunday, September 6th, in the afternoon. The swell is 10ft from the SSW, a very long 17-second period, and the wave energy is absolutely cranking at 7864. This is a massive, powerful groundswell. The wind is clean from the E at 19 mph, which is a solid cross-offshore wind. This is a world-class combination for experts, but it’s not for the faint of heart. The following morning, Monday, September 7th, is also a highlight with a slightly smaller 6ft SSW swell, a 14-second period, and glassy conditions. Clean, lined-up, and powerful.
After that, the surf drops off hard. There’s a long stretch from mid-week onward with very little of note. The swell gets small and weak, and the wind is often messy. You’re looking at a gap of several days with no real recommendations.
The next window worth watching comes around Friday, September 11th, in the afternoon. It’s a clean 4ft swell from the SW with a 12-second period, and the wind is light and cross-offshore. It’s not huge, but for a break that’s been inconsistent, it’s a nice surprise. Then Saturday, September 12th, in the afternoon is glassy with a 4ft E swell, making for a very clean, fun session.
Looking further out, Monday, September 14th, in the morning is a gem. Offshore wind from the NE with a 4ft SW swell and a 13-second period. Glassy conditions and clean. That’s a classic setup. Tuesday, September 15th, in the morning is also a beauty with glassy conditions and an 8ft E swell. That’s a solid, clean wave.
The final real standout is Wednesday, September 16th, in the morning. A 7ft SSW swell with a very long 17-second period, and the wave energy is strong (3177). The wind is a gentle cross-shore, so it’s not perfect, but the power is there. This is a promising prospect for the end of the run.
This is a spot that’s inconsistent, so when it’s on, it’s on. When it’s not, it’s a flat spell. Keep your eye on the glassy days, and don’t bother with the rest.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the SSE by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
2381 | 3523 | 2824 | 2340 | 1791 | 811 | 1820 | 2132 | 769 | 551 | 366 | 366 | 338 | 346 | 2219 | 4643 | 1739 | 1393 | 1127 | 834 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | glassy | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 5:57PM1.76m | 6:13AM1.53m | 6:34PM1.62m | 6:54AM1.38m | 7:20PM1.45m | 7:52AM1.21m | 8:36PM1.27m | 9:53AM1.10m | 10:59PM1.21m | 12:15PM1.21m | 00:43AM1.33m | 1:22PM1.41m | 1:40AM1.49m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:11AM0.21m | 12:14PM0.26m | 00:51AM0.35m | 12:56PM0.42m | 1:45AM0.51m | 1:58PM0.59m | 3:22AM0.65m | 4:09PM0.71m | 5:49AM0.61m | 6:29PM0.60m | 7:09AM0.45m | 7:36PM0.42m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 21 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 24 | 27 | 22 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 24 | 27 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
2381 | 3523 | 2824 | 2340 | 1791 | 811 | 347 | 205 | 675 | 161 | 140 | 366 | 338 | 346 | 2219 | 4643 | 1739 | 1393 | 1127 | 834 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 8 | E 9 | — | WSW 11 | SSW 9 | S 7 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | SSW 21 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | S 19 | ESE 8 | SSE 12 | E 9 |
33 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 167 | 6 | — | 157 | 144 | 54 | 69 | 41 | 90 | 148 | 2422 | 365 | 414 | 57 | 363 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | — | — | SE 11 | SW 10 | SW 11 | SSE 7 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | WSW 10 | — | S 19 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SW 13 |
— | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 31 | 180 | 115 | 11 | 17 | 116 | 19 | — | 365 | 35 | 82 | 45 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | ESE 8 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 312 | 1820 | 2132 | 769 | 551 | 366 | 217 | 223 | 253 | 384 | 799 | 500 | — | 376 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 180 | 2313 | 1496 | 1647 | 3 | 19 | 415 | 19 | 19 | 335 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











