
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 7,278 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 12s. 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 9s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty again. Let’s break down Buffalo Bay Wildside in feet and mph.
Starting Sunday July 19 – a 5.2ft SW swell, cross-on wind, choppy. Water temp about 63.7°F, pretty normal for the season. The break is inconsistent, so you gotta be ready. Crowds can show up sometimes.
Monday July 20 morning turns glassy: 5.9ft SW, 11-second period, moderate energy (1127). Nice clean start. But the real standout is Tuesday July 21. Morning glassy with 5.9ft SSW groundswell, 14-second period, energy 1625 – that’s long-period goodness. Afternoon goes 8.2ft SSW, same 14-second period, cross-off wind, clean, energy 2680 – strong, powerful waves. Not the optimal SE direction, but this exposed spot handles SW well. Best of the forecast.
Wednesday July 22 and Thursday July 23 get messy with onshore wind and bigger swell. Thursday afternoon sees 9.8ft SW – too big for the break.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 9 | SSW 13 | SW 11 | ESE 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
672 | 481 | 173 | 792 | 388 | 366 | 1370 | 2438 | 1942 | 1249 | 1131 | 492 | 1455 | 1801 | 7167 | 5975 | 4061 | 2582 | 2862 | 2275 | 1543 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | off |
High Tide | 7:15PM1.61m | 7:27AM1.34m | 7:56PM1.47m | 8:12AM1.21m | 8:44PM1.33m | 9:14AM1.10m | 9:54PM1.22m | 10:58AM1.05m | 11:34PM1.19m | 12:41PM1.10m | 00:56AM1.24m | 1:43PM1.21m | 1:50AM1.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:52PM0.26m | 1:32AM0.42m | 1:29PM0.40m | 2:16AM0.53m | 2:10PM0.55m | 3:12AM0.63m | 3:07PM0.67m | 4:36AM0.69m | 4:43PM0.75m | 6:22AM0.67m | 6:36PM0.72m | 7:32AM0.58m | 7:43PM0.63m | ||||||||
7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
— | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SE 10 | SW 9 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | ESE 12 | SW 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
672 | 241 | 1080 | 792 | 388 | 257 | 1370 | 2438 | 1942 | 1249 | 1131 | 463 | 94 | 1801 | 7167 | 5975 | 4061 | 2582 | 2862 | 2275 | 1543 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SW 12 | SE 9 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 13 | E 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 7 | ESE 10 |
83 | 202 | 173 | 319 | 371 | 353 | 247 | 242 | 186 | 157 | 143 | 492 | 5 | 55 | 51 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 11 | 8 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSW 13 | SSE 9 | SW 11 | SSW 16 | E 10 | — | E 9 | ESE 4 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 10 | — |
82 | 33 | 151 | 16 | 185 | 366 | 8 | — | 7 | 3 | 70 | 133 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 |
— | 481 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 83 | 1455 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 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.










