
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with 3,734 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s 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 (Sep 02) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 12s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what's comin' for Buffalo Bay Wildside.
We've got a big, powerful window of swell ahead, but honestly, most of it is gonna be way too much for the average surfer. This spot really opens up to some serious Southern Ocean energy, but that means it's mostly for the experienced crew, and only on specific days when the wind plays nice.
Let's kick things off on Wednesday, September 2nd. We wake up to a solid 10ft SW groundswell, with a period of 13 seconds. The combined energy is pumping at 2831 (moderate wave energy), but it's just too big for this break, even with the light cross-shore breeze. The afternoon cleans up nicely though. The swell drops to a still-chunky 8ft from the SW, and we get a clean, cross-off wind. The water's sitting at 60°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year.
Now, look... the rest of that first week is a write-off. Thursday and Friday are messy with heavy rain and strong winds. There's a brief window on Saturday morning with a 7ft swell and clean cross-off wind, but the period is a short 7 seconds, making it weak and choppy. Sunday (September 6th) brings a monster 8ft swell from the SSW with a very long period of 17 seconds, combined energy of 4805 (very strong wave energy), but the wind is side-off, and the period is so long that at a beach break like this, it's going to close out and be a handful. Don't bother.
The first true standout of this outlook is Monday, September 14th. After a long gap of marginal and blown-out days, we get a clean morning. The swell drops to a manageable 8ft from the ESE, with a period of 10 seconds. The wind is light, offshore from the ENE. It's clean, glassy, and the combined energy is a solid 1425 (moderate wave energy). This is the day for experienced surfers to get after it. The crowds might turn up, but the quality will be worth it.
After that, the swell backs right off into the middle of the week, with tiny 3ft waves. Then, we get another big pulse coming through. On Thursday, September 17th, the swell jumps back up to a massive 12ft from the SW with a long period of 14 seconds. The combined energy is a thumping 4995 (strong wave energy). Again, this is a pro-only zone. It will be terrifying out there. The wind is a light offshore, which would be perfect if the swell weren't so massive.
So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Monday the 14th, with clean, offshore conditions and a solid, ridable swell for the experienced crew. Everything else is either too big, too small, or too messy. If you're a beginner, give this whole window a miss. The big swells will be more interesting for the kitesurfers than paddlers.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | ESE 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2824 | 2340 | 1697 | 811 | 2003 | 2286 | 1012 | 848 | 736 | 444 | 372 | 458 | 2724 | 3734 | 1721 | 1126 | 1005 | 784 | 324 | 236 | 119 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 6:34PM1.62m | 6:54AM1.38m | 7:20PM1.45m | 7:52AM1.21m | 8:36PM1.27m | 9:53AM1.10m | 10:59PM1.21m | 12:15PM1.21m | 00:43AM1.33m | 1:22PM1.41m | 1:40AM1.49m | 2:07PM1.61m | 2:23AM1.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:14PM0.26m | 00:51AM0.35m | 12:56PM0.42m | 1:45AM0.51m | 1:58PM0.59m | 3:22AM0.65m | 4:09PM0.71m | 5:49AM0.61m | 6:29PM0.60m | 7:09AM0.45m | 7:36PM0.42m | 7:57AM0.28m | 8:22PM0.24m | ||||||||
6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 5 | 26 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 | E 10 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
2824 | 2340 | 1697 | 811 | 347 | 209 | 675 | 163 | 113 | 353 | 326 | 281 | 2724 | 3734 | 1263 | 1042 | 799 | 784 | 234 | 236 | 119 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 8 | S 10 | — | — | SW 11 | SSW 9 | SW 10 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 10 | S 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | E 10 | SW 12 | E 10 | E 9 |
7 | 6 | 69 | 186 | — | — | 126 | 154 | 84 | 29 | 28 | 273 | 148 | 26 | 1721 | 1126 | 1005 | 449 | 324 | 154 | 85 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | S 15 | SW 10 | S 13 | — | S 13 | SW 10 | S 12 | S 12 | — | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SW 4 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 |
— | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | 4 | 129 | 89 | — | 14 | 25 | 12 | 26 | — | 56 | 14 | 4 | 149 | 83 | 65 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SE 7 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 79 | 2003 | 2286 | 1012 | 848 | 736 | 444 | 372 | 458 | 711 | 1019 | — | — | 3 | 12 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 497 | 476 | 1659 | 3472 | 19 | 19 | 415 | 19 | 19 | 335 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 0 |
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.










