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 cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 2,913 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 0.1m and 16s. 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 2.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2PM.
| 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 | 2PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, but in feet and miles per hour. Let’s break down Buffalo Bay Wildside for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, Saturday the 22nd is a total washout. Lumpy cross-onshore wind and poor conditions mean you’re better off doing anything else. No surf to speak of.
Sunday the 23rd shows some life. A 7ft SW swell with an 11-second period, light wind, and wave energy building to 1309. It’s marginal but a step in the right direction. Not a standout, but at least there’s something to look at.
Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th hold that swell, but wind is onshore or cross-onshore. Tuesday afternoon has a 8ft SW swell with a 14-second period – that’s proper groundswell (3472). Light cross-shore wind might make it okay for experienced surfers.
Now, Thursday the 27th is the real gem of the first week. Glassy wind – dead calm or near calm. A 6ft SSW groundswell (12 seconds) with strong energy (1424). That’s clean, lined-up surf. The swell direction matches the optimum SE from the guidance, so it’s hitting the banks well. It’s an inconsistent break, so you might have it to yourself if you’re patient. This is the day to aim for.
Friday the 28th stays clean but the swell drops a bit. Good backup.
Saturday the 29th afternoon sees a massive 10ft SW swell – but the forecast says it’s too big for this break. Huge energy (1745) but expert-only. Same for Sunday the 30th – another 10ft SW swell, onshore wind, too much for most. That’s kite-surfing territory.
Monday the 31st drops right back – small and choppy. No good.
Looking into September, Tuesday the 1st shapes up nicely. Clean cross-off wind, a 7ft SW groundswell (11 seconds), and moderate energy (1003). Morning is the call for experienced surfers. Wednesday the 2nd is similar but wind picks up later.
The standout in the second week? Thursday the 3rd. Glassy, 10ft SW swell with a 16-second period – that’s a long-period monster, energy at 5011. Too big for this break unless you’re a serious expert. Friday and Saturday the 4th and 5th are also too big.
Finally, Sunday the 6th – glassy again, 8ft SW swell (13 seconds) and strong energy (2023). Excellent for experienced surfers, but punchy.
Best bet for most: Thursday the 27th. For experts: Thursday the 3rd September, but it’s a long-range call. Water temp is much colder than normal at 14° – that’s about 58°F, so a thick suit is a must.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat morning, calm by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 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) | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | E 10 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 739 | 660 | 1121 | 1053 | 1352 | 1019 | 638 | 606 | 1072 | 2756 | 2704 | 1368 | 980 | 1080 | 1071 | 857 | 705 | 652 | 493 | 441 | 346 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:37PM1.04m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:00 | — | — | 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 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 32 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 10 | S 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 739 | 660 | 1121 | 1053 | 1352 | 1019 | 638 | 606 | 593 | 2756 | 2704 | 1036 | 980 | 1080 | 1071 | 857 | 380 | 484 | 369 | 418 | 295 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | E 8 | SW 16 | SW 15 | — | — | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | — | SSW 16 | S 15 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 16 | ESE 8 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 31 | 1 | 11 | 255 | — | — | 5 | 236 | 1072 | — | 768 | 1368 | 893 | 612 | 81 | 339 | 705 | 652 | 493 | 251 | 346 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | E 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | — | — | E 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | — | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | SW 15 | WSW 11 | ESE 6 |
| kJ | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 4 | 5 | — | — | 3 | 486 | 45 | — | 228 | 343 | 215 | 145 | 44 | 41 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | NNW 4 |
| kJ | 58 | 116 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 98 | 686 | 443 | — | — | — | — | 441 | 50 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 77 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 380 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
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.
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