Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,241 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 11s. 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
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 on the cards for Buffalo Bay Wildside.
We've got a bit of a slow start on Tuesday, with a small 5ft swell from the ESE. The wind is light and onshore, so it's not going to be great. To be honest, those first couple of days are a write-off - you're better off waiting.
The real action kicks off on Thursday, 16 July. That morning the wind drops to dead glass, the sky clears, and a 8ft SW swell rolls in with a nice long 14-second period. The combined energy is strong at 2705, and this is proper groundswell. This is expert territory though – anything over 8ft and it’s for the experienced crew only. If you've got the skills, Thursday morning and afternoon are absolute standouts, with glassy conditions and perfect lines.
The good run keeps going. Friday, 17 July, still has plenty of size (8ft) from the SW, and the morning is glassy again. The wind swings a little offshore later, keeping things clean. Saturday, 18 July, sees a slight drop in size to 6ft from the south, but it's still glassy in the morning and clean all day – great for a wider range of surfers.
We get another beauty on Monday, 20 July. The morning shows 8ft from the SW with a clean cross-offshore wind. Then Tuesday, 21 July, is a monster session for experts – 8ft SW swell with a 14-second period, glassy conditions, and the combined energy is a staggering 2267. This is the best of the best in the near term.
After that, the swell gets too big for this break. From Wednesday, 22 July, through to Saturday, 25 July, we’re looking at 10ft to 15ft swells. The combined energy goes through the roof (up to 6554), but the forecast explicitly says it's too big for Buffalo Bay Wildside. This setup, with that much power and strong cross-onshore winds, is going to be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Things settle down again on Sunday, 26 July. The swell drops to a more manageable 8ft from the SW, the wind is glassy in the morning, and it's clean in the afternoon. A good option for the experienced.
Into the second week, Monday, 27 July, we see a smaller, clean 5ft SW swell with offshore winds, and Tuesday, 28 July, has a bigger 8ft to 8ft SW swell but with clean conditions in the afternoon. By Wednesday, 29 July, it's looking too big again at 10ft. So, keep an eye on Sunday 26 July and Monday 27 July for your best late bets.
The water temperature is sitting at 62°F, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there to worry about.
Keep in mind Buffalo Bay Wildside is an inconsistent spot, so these windows of good surf are precious. The crowds can show up sometimes, so get in early on those glassy mornings.
Stay stoked.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 268 | 300 | 248 | 176 | 629 | 3241 | 2633 | 1749 | 1086 | 1499 | 1053 | 835 | 911 | 894 | 657 | 488 | 625 | 1531 | 1572 | 1578 | 1237 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:53PM1.76m | 4:08AM1.79m | 4:37PM1.83m | 4:50AM1.77m | 5:18PM1.85m | 5:30AM1.70m | 5:58PM1.81m | 6:09AM1.60m | 6:37PM1.73m | 6:47AM1.48m | 7:15PM1.61m | 7:27AM1.34m | 7:56PM1.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:43AM0.05m | 10:03PM0.12m | 10:24AM0.00m | 10:48PM0.10m | 11:03AM0.00m | 11:31PM0.12m | 11:41AM0.05m | 00:12AM0.20m | 12:17PM0.14m | 00:52AM0.30m | 12:52PM0.26m | 1:32AM0.42m | 1:29PM0.40m | 2:16AM0.53m | |||||||
 | |  | | |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — |
 | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SW 12 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 268 | 300 | 248 | 176 | 629 | 3241 | 2633 | 1749 | 1086 | 1499 | 1053 | 835 | 911 | 894 | 657 | 379 | 625 | 1531 | 1572 | 1578 | 1237 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 6 | SW 17 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | SW 10 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | SW 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSW 17 |
| kJ | 81 | 42 | 55 | 60 | 594 | 94 | 72 | 79 | 82 | 81 | 54 | 442 | 68 | 71 | 82 | 488 | 265 | 133 | 45 | 23 | 93 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | S 9 | SW 9 | SW 12 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 13 | E 7 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SE 12 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 28 | 41 | 21 | 52 | 142 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50 | 163 | 71 | 193 | 66 | 54 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 19 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | SW 3 | SW 5 | WSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | — | — | WSW 5 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 11 | 80 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 134 | — | — | 54 | 223 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 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.
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