
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 6 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 4,735 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period with E 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 2.0m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Buffalo Bay Wildside in the next 16 days are 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 13s |
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 cooking for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next couple of weeks.
The first real action kicks off this Saturday, the 1st of August. The swell is already pumping with a solid 8 ft of ESE groundswell, and the wind is light offshore from the ENE at 3 mph. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. The wave energy is massive (1748), and while it’s a bit on the powerful side, it’s clean. This is only for experienced surfers, as it’s pushing well over 8 ft in the morning. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-off breeze, but still big.
Sunday the 2nd drops a little to 6 ft, and the morning is absolutely glassy with zero wind. That’s a treat. The swell is still from the ESE with a period of 9 seconds, and the energy is still solid (873). This is the standout of the early period—clean, easy on the eyes, and with a bit less size, it’s a much more manageable wave for intermediates. The crowds are “sometimes” here, so you might get a few out, but it’s worth it.
Monday the 3rd holds 6 ft of clean, glassy surf in the morning, with a longer period swell of 11 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and it’s going to wrap in nicely. The energy is high (1255). This is another top pick, especially for the early session.
Into Tuesday the 4th, the swell drops to 4 ft and switches direction to the SW, with a longer period of 12 seconds. The wind is cross-off in the morning, so it’s clean, but the size is down. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-on breeze, so stick to the morning if you’re keen.
Wednesday the 5th starts small and glassy, with 3 ft of SSW swell and a very long period of 14 seconds. That’s a long wait between sets, but the shape on the points will be excellent. The afternoon sees a jump to 7 ft from the SW with a 15-second period, but the wind is cross-shore, and the report says it’s marginal. Tread carefully.
From Thursday the 6th, the bottom drops out. Strong onshore winds and big swell—12 ft on Thursday morning—with rain and a bumpy surface. This is not for paddle surfing. The afternoon on Thursday goes glassy, but the swell is 12 ft and the report says it’s too big for the break. Only the most experienced should even consider it.
Friday the 7th cleans up with a cross-off breeze and 8 ft of SW swell, but the energy is still huge (2192). The morning is the best bet, but it’s still heavy.
The weekend of the 8th and 9th looks rough. Strong onshore winds, rain, and swell between 8 ft and 12 ft with choppy conditions. The energy readings are through the roof (up to 6201), but the quality is poor. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing one.
The following week, from the 10th of August onward, is a write-off for normal surfing. The swell is consistently over 13 ft, sometimes up to 21 ft, with massive energy (14987 on the 11th). The wind is offshore at times, but the size is just too big for this break. Only for the most extreme crew, and even then, it’s risky.
By the 13th of August, things start to settle. The swell drops to 6 ft from the SW, but the wind is cross-on, so it’s a bit lumpy.
The best of the second week, and the real standout, is Friday the 14th of August. Morning glass with 5 ft of E swell, clean and glassy. The period is 10 seconds, and the energy is moderate (1010). This is a nice, clean wave for the experienced surfer, and the wind is perfect. It’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it, but it’s promising.
Saturday the 15th is smaller, 4 ft, but glassy in the morning. A good option for a smaller board.
Sunday the 16th fades out with a cross-on breeze and 5 ft of SW swell, but it’s not the cleanest.
Overall, the best windows are the Sunday morning of the 2nd and the Monday morning of the 3rd. The Friday the 14th is a long-range standout, but it’s a bit of a wait. The middle of the week is a washout, and the big stuff is for experts only.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
781 | 892 | 841 | 647 | 518 | 445 | 905 | 718 | 643 | 473 | 383 | 350 | 254 | 367 | 2027 | 2490 | 4418 | 3290 | 3788 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | on | glassy | off |
High Tide | 5:01AM1.68m | 5:24PM1.77m | 5:31AM1.64m | 5:54PM1.75m | 6:03AM1.58m | 6:27PM1.70m | 6:39AM1.49m | 7:04PM1.62m | 7:21AM1.37m | 7:51PM1.50m | 8:19AM1.23m | 9:00PM1.37m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:02PM0.19m | 11:09AM0.08m | 11:32PM0.20m | 11:37AM0.11m | 00:05AM0.23m | 12:08PM0.18m | 00:40AM0.29m | 12:42PM0.27m | 1:23AM0.37m | 1:24PM0.39m | 2:18AM0.48m | 2:22PM0.53m | 3:41AM0.58m | ||||||
— | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
5:46 | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 28 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 13 | 17 | 20 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 24 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SW 7 | SW 15 | SW 14 | E 9 | SW 12 | SW 14 |
549 | 623 | 697 | 647 | 518 | 445 | 905 | 718 | 643 | 441 | 349 | 294 | 235 | 130 | 2027 | 2490 | 64 | 3290 | 3788 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | — | E 9 | E 9 |
240 | 150 | 153 | 277 | 340 | 431 | 236 | 537 | 488 | 473 | 383 | 350 | 254 | 200 | 160 | 110 | — | 44 | 28 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 10 | S 9 | ESE 14 | SSW 14 | — | S 13 | — | NNE 3 | S 18 | SSW 6 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — |
44 | 83 | 103 | 17 | 15 | 145 | 264 | — | 3 | — | 1 | 6 | 14 | 367 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | — | — | — | SW 13 | — | — |
781 | 892 | 841 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 58 | 23 | — | — | — | 4418 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











