Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 21 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
14.4° C
2.9° 

Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,056 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Fri 21st Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 11s
Best Surf11AM (Tue 25th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful11AM (Tue 25th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, grab a coffee and listen up, this is Rusty comin' at ya.

Alright, so we're looking at Buffalo Bay Wildside, and the pattern ahead is a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. There's a quiet start, some solid pulses, and then a couple of real big boys that are only for the brave. The water temps are sitting at 58° right now, which is a solid 5° colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll want a thick wetsuit. It's a significant chill.

We kick off on Friday the 21st. The morning has a 7ft swell from the SW, but it's coming with a cross-shore breeze and the energy is moderate (1256). The afternoon drops to 5ft, but the wind picks up. It's a bit of a marginal start, nothing to write home about.

Saturday the 22nd looks pretty rough. The wind is onshore and choppy, making for poor conditions. It's a day to stay on the beach.

Sunday the 23rd is a bit of a tease. The morning shows a 7ft SW swell with a solid energy (1382) and a light onshore wind, but the surf is still described as marginal. The afternoon looks cleaner but the swell drops to 6ft. It's there, but not great.

Monday the 24th is similar, with 6ft SW swell and onshore wind. It's a slow, average start to the week.

Now, here's a standout. Tuesday the 25th. The morning brings a solid 10ft SW swell, but it's a 14-second period – that's a proper groundswell. The wind is light and cross-shore, and the energy is strong (3056). The catch is, the guidance says it's predicted to be too big for this break. It's punching above its weight, so only for the very experienced. The afternoon is a cleaner 8ft, but still a big day.

The rest of the week is a bit of a mixed bag, with moderate swells and cross-offshore winds. The conditions are clean, but the swell isn't huge.

Let's talk about the real standout. Thursday the 27th. The morning is 6ft from the S, but the wind is glassy. The afternoon is 6ft from the S with a 15-second period – that's a very long, powerful groundswell. The energy is excellent (2107). The wind is glassy, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the best window of the whole forecast. It's a proper, clean, powerful point-break-style swell at a beach break, so the sets will be long and clean. This is the one to circle.

Friday the 28th is a solid follow-up, with 5ft to 5ft S swell and clean offshore winds. Excellent conditions again.

Then we get a big gap. Saturday the 29th is a write-off, with a messy 7ft and a tiny 2ft afternoon. That's a full day of nothing.

Sunday the 30th is a massive spike. A 13ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and the energy is extreme (5605). The wind is onshore, but the guidance says it's too big for this break. This is a day for experts only, if you're brave enough.

Monday the 31st is a nice return to form. The morning is glassy with a 7ft S swell, and the afternoon is clean with 6ft. Very good.

Things get a bit messy again into September. Tuesday the 1st is small, Wednesday the 2nd is onshore, and then Thursday the 3rd of September is another massive one. A 13ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and the energy is extreme (5881). The wind is glassy in the morning, but again, it's too big for the break. Only for the mad.

The last day of the forecast, Saturday the 5th of September, shows a 10ft SW swell with a 16-second period, another huge, long-period groundswell, but again, it's too big.

So, the bottom line: Thursday the 27th of August is your absolute best bet. Clean, glassy, powerful, and a serious groundswell. The Monday the 31st is a very good second option. The big pulses on the 25th, 30th, 3rd, and 5th are only for the experts, and even then, it's questionable. The rest of the time is a bit of a waiting game.

Catch ya on the beach.
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the E by Wed afternoon).

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
0
1
3
3
3
4
2
2
4
!
3
3
3
2
4
4
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
SW
12
1.5
SSW
12
1.4
SSW
11
1.7
SSW
11
1.5
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
2.2
SW
11
1.7
SW
10
1.8
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
2.4
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
1.7
S
15
1.7
SSW
13
3
ESE
7
1.7
SSW
12
1.8
S
12
1.9
S
15
1.8
S
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1250
644
460
739
594
1229
1172
623
1019
760
628
2457
3056
2499
1331
968
749
797
879
1547
1358
Wind (km/h)
10
SE
20
ESE
10
NW
25
W
15
WSW
10
W
5
SSW
10
SSE
5
N
10
SW
10
SW
0
N
10
SE
10
SE
20
E
25
E
35
E
15
ENE
5
ENE
5
SE
5
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
glassy
cross-on
High Tide
9:23AM1.00m
10:47PM1.07m
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
Low Tide
3:17PM0.82m
6:04AM0.77m
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
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:56
6:56
6:54
6:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:00
6:01
6:02
6:04
6:04
6:05
6:06
 mm
Temp °C
16
17
14
15
17
15
16
16
13
16
16
13
15
17
15
17
20
15
26
26
19
Feels °C
15
14
13
11
12
13
16
14
12
15
14
13
14
16
14
13
15
10
25
25
17
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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