
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 13 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★+): Monday 13 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period with SSW 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s. 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 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 1.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| 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.
G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead for Buffalo Bay Wildside, although the first few days are a bit mixed before the real juice kicks in. This spot is inconsistent, so when it’s on, you’ve got to pay attention.
The water’s sitting at 62°, which is bang on average for this time of year – no surprises there.
Monday morning, 13 July, kicks things off with a clean 4 ft SSW swell at 10 seconds, glassy conditions and zero wind. It’s a nice little intro, but not a standout. By Monday afternoon, the swell drops to 3 ft, still glassy, but the energy is fading. Tuesday morning is a write-off – cross-on wind and a marginal 5 ft ESE swell. Tuesday afternoon looks better, glassy again with the same 5 ft, but it’s still just okay.
Wednesday morning, 15 July, is clean and glassy with 3 ft from the east. Then Wednesday afternoon is where it gets interesting: a 4 ft SW groundswell with a super long 17-second period, and the energy jumps. That’s a proper long-period swell, so it’ll be well-shaped and punchy, but for a beach-and-reef setup like this, those long gaps between sets will make it a bit tricky. Still, glassy conditions and excellent quality for experienced surfers.
Thursday, 16 July, is a serious standout. Morning glass, 8 ft SW swell at 14 seconds, energy strong – that’s expert-only territory, over 8 ft, and the period is long enough to give real power. Afternoon sees a slight drop to 8 ft, but cross-on wind creeps in, so grab the morning session.
Friday, 17 July, gets messy. 8 ft in the morning but cross-on wind at 15 km/h, choppy. Afternoon is cross-shore, still lumpy. Not worth it.
Saturday, 18 July, is another highlight. Morning offshore breeze from the ENE, clean, 7 ft S swell at 13 seconds, energy strong. That’s a big, clean swell for experienced surfers. Afternoon is glassy, 6 ft SSE, still excellent.
Sunday, 19 July, is marginal with cross-on wind and 5 ft SW. Not great.
Monday, 20 July, is a return to form – glassy morning, 5 ft SW at 11 seconds, energy moderate, and very good conditions. Afternoon stays clean with a cross-off breeze.
Now, Tuesday, 21 July – this is a monster. 10 ft SSW swell, 16-second period, energy huge. That’s enormous. But the notes say it’s predicted to be too big for this break. The wind is light cross-on, so it’s likely just a washing machine. Only the most experienced tow-in crew might be interested, but for nearly everyone, it’s a pass.
Wednesday, 22 July, is back in the sweet spot. Glassy morning, 8 ft SW at 14 seconds, energy strong – excellent for experienced surfers. Afternoon is glassy again, same swell.
Thursday, 23 July, is a write-off. 22 mph cross-on wind, 10 ft lumpy mess. Not surfable.
Friday, 24 July, cleans up. Morning cross-off breeze, 7 ft SSW at 11 seconds, energy moderate – very good. Afternoon drops to 4 ft, still clean.
Saturday, 25 July, is a weekend standout. Glassy morning, 5 ft SW at 15 seconds, energy moderate – that’s a long-period groundswell with excellent quality. Afternoon gets a cross-off breeze, 7 ft SW at 15 seconds, energy strong – clean and powerful. This is the best of the second week.
Sunday, 26 July, keeps it going. Glassy morning, 7 ft SW at 14 seconds, energy strong – excellent. Afternoon cross-off, 6 ft, still clean.
Monday, 27 July, and Tuesday, 28 July, are marginal with onshore wind and inconsistent quality. The swell is there, but it’s not clean.
Best on offer: Thursday 16 July morning and Saturday 25 July all day. Get in the water early on the 16th for that 8 ft glassy groundswell, and don’t miss the 25th for a long-period, clean session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | SSW 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 13 | S 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
279 | 218 | 328 | 262 | 300 | 240 | 176 | 687 | 3241 | 2498 | 1776 | 1103 | 1852 | 1370 | 1533 | 1584 | 1082 | 681 | 746 | 635 | 585 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:08PM1.65m | 3:23AM1.77m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:57AM0.13m | 9:15PM0.19m | 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 | |||||||
7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 13 | S 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
208 | 172 | 328 | 262 | 300 | 240 | 176 | 589 | 3241 | 2498 | 1776 | 1103 | 1852 | 1370 | 1533 | 1584 | 1082 | 681 | 746 | 635 | 585 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 5 | SW 6 | SW 17 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | S 15 | SW 11 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | E 8 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
279 | 218 | 125 | 81 | 41 | 11 | 42 | 687 | 90 | 68 | 76 | 79 | 79 | 106 | 368 | 93 | 77 | 90 | 452 | 320 | 148 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | W 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | E 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 16 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
21 | 2 | 43 | 28 | 27 | 40 | 53 | 145 | — | — | — | — | — | 53 | 51 | 142 | 94 | 163 | 99 | 76 | 41 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | SW 5 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 6 | — | — | W 3 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 1 | 24 | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 90 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










