Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,557 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up for our patch, because there’s actually a bit of a story to tell.
The main event for the next couple of weeks is going to be Buffalo Bay Wildside, and it’s a mixed bag of serious power and real frustration. The water temp is sitting around 57.9°, which is nearly 5.4° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a big deal, so you’ll want a thick wetsuit and maybe some booties.
It all starts Saturday afternoon, the 22nd of August, but I wouldn’t bother paddling out. We’ve got 5 ft of SW swell with moderate energy (771), and that 12 mph WSW wind is blowing straight onshore. It’s windy, messy, and the surf quality is poor. Sunday the 23rd shows some promise though. The morning brings a cleaner 6.9 ft SW swell (1244 energy) and a light 3 mph SSW wind, but it’s a bit onshore and the forecast is only marginal. The afternoon switches to a 3 mph SE cross-shore, with solid long-period energy at 13 seconds and 1352. The wave comment flags it as marginal though, so keep expectations tempered.
Now, Monday the 24th morning – that’s a moment. We’ve got 5.2 ft of SW swell (704 energy) and glassy, dead-calm conditions. Those clean, offshore lines will be there. It’s still mostly for intermediate to advanced surfers given the size and consistency, but the glassy wind is a serious positive. That morning window is your best early-week option.
Tuesday the 25th afternoon is a real standout. The swell builds to 7.2 ft from the SW, with a very nice 13-second period and strong wave energy (2300). The wind is a light 3 mph ESE cross-offshore – that’s clean, clean, clean. This is for experienced surfers; it’s gonna push over 8.2 ft by the morning, so beginners stay on the sand.
Wednesday the 26th is a write-off for quality. Despite some solid energy (over 1700), the wind cranks up to 16-22 mph from the East. Even though it’s cross-offshore, that strong breeze creates lumpy, tough conditions. It’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a smooth surfing day.
Thursday the 27th is a total redemption arc. Both morning and afternoon are glassy – zero wind – with 4.9-5.9 ft SSW swell at 12 seconds and energy around 1300-1400. The conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. If you can get out on Thursday, this is the other clear window in the first week.
Friday the 28th is marginal. The swell drops to 4.9-5.6 ft from the East with a short 10-second period. Not terrible, not great. The morning is light cross-shore, and the afternoon shows a 9 mph cross-off, but the energy and period just aren’t there.
Saturday the 29th is a no-go. The swell drops to 3.3 ft, but the wind is a nasty 19 mph from the North and then Southwest. A 19 mph onshore wind turns the ocean into a washing machine.
Here’s where it gets real: Sunday the 30th looks big but blown. A huge 13-15 ft SW swell (4440-6600 energy) but it’s crossed-up with 16-19 mph winds. This is expert-only territory, but with winds that strong onshore, it’s going to be a total mess. Mostly for the groms with kites.
Monday the 31st offers a mellowing out, with 7.9-8.2 ft SW swell and a lighter 3-9 mph wind, but it’s still cross-onshore. It’s more manageable for intermediates, but not the best quality unless you get a clean session.
Now, look ahead to Tuesday the 1st of September. That morning session is the top of the second week. A glassy 8.2 ft SW swell with long 13-second period and strong energy (2436). Conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This has the potential to be the best session of the whole 16-day run if the forecasts hold. The wind is clean, the swell has power, and it’s a Tuesday – so crowds are only “sometimes” a problem.
Wednesday the 2nd is a step back. The afternoon brings a 6.9 ft SW swell (1527 energy) with a clean 9 mph ESE cross-off, so there’s a decent session there for confident surfers.
Thursday the 3rd and beyond: The swell goes big again. Over 11.5 ft and even up to 16-20 ft by the 4th and 6th of September. But the guidance calls these sizes “too big for this break,” meaning the break gets washed out or dangerous. Even with glassy conditions on the 4th morning (16.4 ft, 14-second period, 19636 energy), it’s going to be a monster – for experts with a death wish
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
594 | 1208 | 1034 | 1352 | 1019 | 699 | 606 | 1977 | 2557 | 1594 | 1168 | 742 | 919 | 970 | 872 | 573 | 807 | 573 | 450 | 345 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | on | cross | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:51AM1.16m | 1:37PM1.19m | 1:41AM1.29m | 2:11PM1.34m | 2:15AM1.43m | 2:39PM1.49m | 2:44AM1.55m | 3:06PM1.63m | 3:12AM1.65m | 3:32PM1.75m | 3:40AM1.72m | 3:59PM1.84m | 4:08AM1.76m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:39PM0.79m | 7:27AM0.63m | 7:40PM0.65m | 8:02AM0.49m | 8:15PM0.51m | 8:30AM0.35m | 8:44PM0.38m | 8:56AM0.23m | 9:11PM0.26m | 9:21AM0.12m | 9:39PM0.16m | 9:46AM0.05m | 10:07PM0.09m | |||||||
— | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 31 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 10 | S 11 | S 11 |
594 | 1208 | 1034 | 1352 | 1019 | 699 | 606 | 1977 | 2557 | 1594 | 1168 | 742 | 919 | 970 | 541 | 510 | 807 | 573 | 335 | 345 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SW 16 | SW 15 | — | — | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SE 11 | — | SSW 16 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 16 | S 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 16 | ESE 8 |
1 | 11 | 209 | — | — | 5 | 236 | 5 | — | 706 | 919 | 486 | 627 | 248 | 872 | 573 | 426 | 411 | 257 | 147 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | SE 10 | — | — | — | E 13 | S 16 | WSW 13 | SSW 16 | WSW 12 | SSE 12 | SW 11 | S 14 | SSE 14 | SW 14 |
— | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 3 | 509 | 67 | 324 | 96 | 189 | 179 | 100 | 118 | 251 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | NNW 4 |
176 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 167 | 606 | 487 | — | — | — | — | 450 | 16 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 382 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 19 | 3 |
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.











