Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 4,374 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 12s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for Buffalo Bay Wildside.
This spot is inconsistent, so don’t expect a non-stop party, but when it turns on, it’s a real treat for the experienced crew. The water is sitting at 57°, which is a solid 6° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a big anomaly, so you’ll want a good steamer. We’ve got a run of surf starting on Monday morning, August 17th, with a solid 7ft SW groundswell rolling in at a nice long 13 seconds. The energy is strong, clocking in at 1788, and with glassy conditions, the morning session is looking excellent for those who know what they’re doing. The afternoon holds up too, with 6ft and clean glass.
Tuesday the 18th drops off a bit. The swell hangs around 7ft to 8ft, but the conditions are more marginal – the morning has a light onshore breeze and the afternoon is crossed up. Not the best, but still surfable for the keen.
The standout of the whole outlook is Thursday, August 20th. You’ve got a big 12ft SW groundswell (13 seconds) hitting in the morning with glassy conditions. The wave energy is ripping at 4381 – that’s serious power. But listen, this is too big for this break. It’s a wind and tide-friendly setup, but at that size, it’s expert-only territory. The afternoon drops to 10ft with a clean cross-offshore breeze, still massive and only for the brave.
After that, we slide into a long stretch of mediocre surf. From Friday the 21st through to Monday the 24th, we’re looking at 6ft to 8ft SW swells, but the wind is mostly onshore or cross-on, and the comments are all marginal. There’s a brief flicker of hope on Sunday the 23rd afternoon with a glassy 7ft SW swell, but it’s a one-off. The following week, from the 25th to the 29th, is much the same – consistent size but mostly onshore or cross-shore winds keeping things messy. There’s a good window on Wednesday, August 26th, with clean 7ft to 6ft SW swell and cross-offshore winds, but it’s not the standout of the window.
The end of the run gets a bit wild. Sunday, August 30th and Monday, August 31st both see 12ft SW/SSW swells with monster energy readings (3929 to 5269). Again, too big for the break, and the winds are mostly cross-on or choppy. Only the absolute top-end experts should even think about it.
Finally, we get a clean finish on Tuesday, September 1st, with 7ft to 6ft SSW swell, cross-offshore winds, and clean conditions. A nice way to wrap it up, but the crowds are sometimes a factor here, so keep that in mind.
The best bet of the whole outlook? Thursday, August 20th morning – if you’re an expert and can handle the size, that 12ft glassy groundswell is the real deal. For the rest of us, Monday, August 17th morning is the pick for a solid, clean session without getting pounded.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1613 | 1182 | 1167 | 1339 | 1643 | 2111 | 1860 | 1693 | 1591 | 4374 | 3263 | 1912 | 1182 | 787 | 821 | 966 | 2129 | 1871 | 1072 | 1229 | 606 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 6:27PM1.64m | 6:38AM1.41m | 6:58PM1.48m | 7:10AM1.26m | 7:31PM1.31m | 7:49AM1.12m | 8:20PM1.16m | 9:23AM1.00m | 10:47PM1.07m | 12:37PM1.04m | 00:51AM1.16m | 1:37PM1.19m | 1:41AM1.29m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:09PM0.23m | 00:40AM0.35m | 12:38PM0.38m | 1:11AM0.49m | 1:08PM0.53m | 1:49AM0.63m | 1:47PM0.68m | 2:58AM0.75m | 3:17PM0.82m | 6:04AM0.77m | 6:39PM0.79m | 7:27AM0.63m | 7:40PM0.65m | ||||||||
7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 11 |
1613 | 1182 | 1167 | 1339 | 1643 | 2111 | 1860 | 1693 | 1591 | 4374 | 3263 | 1912 | 1182 | 787 | 821 | 966 | 2129 | 1871 | 1072 | 1229 | 606 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | SW 13 | — | WSW 12 |
111 | 110 | 81 | 55 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 297 | 1 | 5 | 5 | — | 172 | — | 403 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
64 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 7 | — | — | ENE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 273 | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 38 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 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.











