Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
17.7° C
0.4° 

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 20 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with 7,541 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s period with ESE 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 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s. 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 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 20th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Best Surf 5PM (Thu 23rd Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 2AM (Fri 24th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Buffalo Bay Wildside. Water temp is about 64°, and with a tiny anomaly of 0.7°, it’s totally normal for this time of year.

We’ve got a slow start, but the real show starts on Tuesday, July 21st. The morning is the pick. You’ve got a 6ft swell from the SSW, with a 14-second period pushing some serious energy (1812). The wind is glassy, so those waves will be perfect. This is the standout. The afternoon holds up too, with the swell jumping to 8ft from the same direction, still a 14-second period, and energy climbing to 2768. The wind is a light cross-offshore, keeping it clean. This is a big, powerful swell, so it’s for the experienced surfers.

Wednesday and Thursday are a total loss. The wind gets onshore, and the conditions are choppy and messy. Thursday afternoon hits 10ft from the SW with a short, choppy 11-second period and a massive 4256 energy, but the wind is just ruining it.

Saturday, July 25th is your next real window. The morning is glassy again, with an 8ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and 2202 energy. The afternoon stays clean with cross-offshore winds, 8ft swell, and 2010 energy. Another solid day for the experienced crew.

Sunday, July 26th is also a good one. Morning cross-off winds, 7ft SW swell (1239 energy), and the afternoon goes glassy with 7ft SW swell (1102 energy). Clean and fun.

After that, the wind goes south again through the 27th and 28th, with rain and strong onshore winds. It’s a mess.

Now, looking further out, there’s a huge, dangerous pulse coming. Friday, July 31st through Sunday, August 2nd we’re seeing massive swells – 12ft to 16ft from the SW, with period hitting 18 seconds on the 31st. Energy readings are insane – 6759, 12082, 9152. This is a monster groundswell, but it’s way too big for this spot. It’s only for the absolute top-tier experts, and honestly, this setup might be more interesting for the kite surfers than anyone on a paddle board. The wind is mostly cross-off or glassy, but the sheer size makes it a high-risk, high-reward situation.

The long-range forecast into the first week of August is still showing heavy, oversized swell. It’s promising for the big-wave chargers, but less certain. Keep an eye on it.

Signing off, Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
4
4
4
1
1
3
3
!
!
!
!
!
4
4
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)
1.2
ESE
12
1.2
SE
11
1.9
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
14
2.4
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
2
SW
12
1.3
SSW
13
2.1
SW
12
3
SW
11
3.5
SSW
17
3.5
SSW
16
3.5
SSW
15
3
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
14
2.4
SSW
13
2.1
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
2
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
371
380
1447
2503
1942
1229
1129
581
1102
2316
7541
6389
4788
3456
2180
1999
1381
1220
1076
960
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
10
NNW
5
SW
10
SE
5
NE
15
W
15
WSW
10
W
10
W
15
W
5
W
10
E
15
E
5
NNE
5
ESE
10
ESE
10
NNE
10
NNW
5
S
10
WNW
Wind State
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
High Tide
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
2:24PM1.32m
2:30AM1.44m
Low Tide
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
8:16AM0.47m
8:26PM0.52m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:40
5:42
5:43
5:43
 mm
1
Temp °C
17
14
15
16
13
16
16
15
17
16
14
15
19
16
19
20
17
25
27
20
Feels °C
14
13
15
15
11
13
13
13
15
11
12
13
16
14
17
18
15
21
24
19
  • 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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