Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 06 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
16.9° 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 6 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 4,619 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s 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 (Aug 06) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Buffalo Bay Wildside in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Thu 6th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Best Surf 8AM (Thu 6th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 9th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's on the cards for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next couple of weeks.

We've got a solid run of south-west groundswell on the way, but it's gonna be a bit of a wild ride. The first decent swell hits Thursday the 6th, but it's a big one. We're looking at 10 feet of swell from the SW with a 13-second period. Moderate wave energy is pushing through, but the problem is the wind is cross-onshore which will make it choppy. On top of that, the swell is just too big for this break, so it's a pass for a paddle.

Friday the 7th is where things start to get really interesting. The morning has a clean 8 feet SW swell with a 14-second period, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the east at 9 mph. This is a solid setup, but the wave energy is strong. This is expert territory with a swell over 8 feet. The afternoon holds even better with a 10-foot SSW swell, 15-second period, and still clean cross-off wind. The energy is very strong. Again, only for the experts.

Saturday the 8th gets messy. The morning is a 8 feet SW swell with a 13-second period, but the wind is onshore and choppy. The energy is still strong, but it's not going to be pretty. The afternoon is a bit better with a 7 feet SW swell, but a 9 mph onshore wind makes it a rough one.

Sunday the 9th is a write-off. Big swell at 10 feet in the morning, but the wind is strong and cross-onshore, making it lumpy. The afternoon is even worse with 12 feet from the SSW and a 19 mph southerly wind. That's a mess.

The next few days are messy as well. Monday the 10th has 8 feet SW swell with a cross-onshore wind, and the energy is moderate. The swell is still on the big side. Tuesday the 11th has a cleaner morning with 8 feet SSW swell and a 9 mph cross-offshore wind, but it's still pretty big for most.

The Standout

Now, on to the real gold. If you can wait, Wednesday the 12th of August is the absolute highlight. The morning has a 5 feet SSW swell, but the period is a massive 20 seconds – that's a very long period groundswell. The wind is light offshore from the ENE at 6 mph, and the wave energy is moderate. This is a beautiful, clean setup for experienced surfers. It's a point break, so that long period will wrap in nicely.

Thursday the 13th is also a cracker. The morning sees 7 feet SSW swell with a 17-second period, and the wind is a dead calm glassy from the north at 3 mph. The wave energy is strong. This is pure, clean, powerful surf. The afternoon is clean too with 6 feet from the SW, but the morning is the real winner.

Into the second week, the swell drops but the quality stays high. Friday the 14th of August has a 4 feet SW swell with a 14-second period and clean cross-off wind. The energy is moderate. The water temp is about 62°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

The window from the 12th to the 14th is the best we've got. Clean, glassy conditions, strong but manageable south-west swell, and that long period will make for some dreamy lines. The 12th morning is the pick of the bunch for the experienced crew. The 13th morning, with that glassy 7 feet SSW swell, is the one for the advanced surfers.

After that, things get smaller and weaker. The 16th and 17th have some clean 4 to 5 feet swells, but it's inconsistent and the energy is dropping. The 18th has a glassy morning with 6 feet from the SW, but it's still a bit small. The 19th and 20th are marginal with the wind turning onshore again.

The final days of the run, the 21st of August, look poor with strong onshore winds and rain. Not worth a look.

Overall, the first week is a tale of two halves – big, messy, and too big for the break, then a clean, powerful, and long-period window for the experts. The second week is smaller and more inconsistent, but there are still a few glassy moments to be had. The best of the best is the 12th morning with that 20-second groundswell and offshore wind. That's a special one.

Alright, you know the score. The forecasts can always change, and a blank run never lasts long around here. Keep your eyes on the charts.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Sun morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
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
!
!
1
2
!
!
0
2
1
!
!
3
2
4
4
3
5
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SW
13
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
2.5
SW
14
3
SSW
15
3
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.2
SW
13
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
13
3.5
SSW
12
2.5
SW
12
2.5
SW
11
3
SSW
11
3
SSW
13
2.4
SSW
12
1.9
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
23
1.4
SSW
20
1.7
SSW
18
1.7
SSW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3357
2483
2113
2717
3778
3192
2020
1708
4145
3078
3340
1674
1511
1897
2884
1632
1001
764
1560
1898
1626
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
10
W
10
SSE
15
E
15
E
10
NW
20
W
15
WSW
20
SW
20
S
30
S
15
S
20
SSE
15
SSE
15
E
15
ENE
30
E
10
NE
10
ENE
15
E
10
NNE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
High Tide
8:19AM1.23m
9:00PM1.37m
9:56AM1.14m
10:48PM1.31m
12:01PM1.18m
00:33AM1.38m
1:23PM1.34m
1:42AM1.52m
2:17PM1.54m
2:33AM1.66m
3:01PM1.71m
3:16AM1.75m
3:41PM1.84m
3:55AM1.80m
Low Tide
2:22PM0.53m
3:41AM0.58m
3:58PM0.63m
5:38AM0.57m
6:03PM0.60m
7:09AM0.44m
7:29PM0.46m
8:06AM0.28m
8:26PM0.29m
8:51AM0.13m
9:12PM0.15m
9:30AM0.03m
9:53PM0.06m
rain showers
light rain
light rain
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:13
7:11
7:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:53
5:54
 mm
1
2
3
6
15
11
8
2
2
1
Temp °C
15
13
13
16
20
16
14
15
14
11
13
12
13
14
13
14
16
13
16
19
18
Feels °C
13
10
12
14
17
14
11
11
12
6
6
6
8
10
10
10
11
9
13
15
14
  • 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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