Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with 4,737 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 11s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break it down.
Alright, Buffalo Bay Wildside has a real mixed bag over the next 16 days. The water’s sitting at 57° right now, which is a solid 6° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s an unusual chill to start the run. The swell energy is pumping through the period, with some serious numbers, but this spot is inconsistent and rarely breaks, so we’ve got to be patient.
The opening days are pretty average. Tuesday morning (18 August) has some 7ft SW swell at 13 seconds, but the cross-on wind and choppy surface make it a scratchy session. The combined energy is already strong at 1493, but it’s not clean. Afternoon improves a bit with lighter wind, but still cross-on. Wednesday and Thursday morning bump up to 8ft, and the energy keeps climbing, but the wind is messy or the swell gets too big for the break.
Now, Thursday 20 August morning is a real standout. We’ve got 12ft of SSW swell at 13 seconds, glassy conditions, and the energy is huge at 4109. That’s a powerful groundswell, but at this size, it’s definitely too big for beginners and only for experienced surfers. The swell direction matches the optimum SE, so it’s lining up well. The clean glassy surface will make it a spectacular session for those who can handle it.
Friday morning 21 August is another solid call. Swell drops to 7ft from the SW at 12 seconds, with light cross-off winds from the ESE and clean conditions. The energy is still strong at 1188, and it’s more manageable than Thursday. That’s a good window for intermediate surfers who want clean waves without the monstrous size.
The weekend rolls in with a mess. Saturday 22 August gets choppy and then howling onshore winds, so that’s a write-off. Sunday 23 August morning has 12ft SW swell at 13 seconds with glassy conditions again – huge energy at 3741 – but it’s too big for this break, and the afternoon is similarly oversized.
The second week stays up and down. Monday 24 August is small and marginal. Tuesday 25 August has 8ft SW swell at 14 seconds, but the wind is onshore. Wednesday 26 August switches to a shorter period ESE swell at 7ft, and the cross-off winds make for clean conditions. Not a huge standout, but a decent session for the experienced crew.
Thursday 27 August is poor with onshore winds. Friday 28 August afternoon brings a 8ft SW swell at 15 seconds, with light cross-off winds and clean surface. The energy is 2515, and that long period groundswell will shape up well, but it’s best for reef or point setups. The weekend (29–30 August) is mostly marginal, with a big 8ft SSW swell at 17 seconds on Sunday afternoon – energy at 4011 – but the wind is light cross-on, so it’s not clean.
Looking further ahead, Tuesday 1 September morning is a beauty. 8ft SW swell at 15 seconds, glassy calm, and the energy is 3103. That’s a long, powerful groundswell with perfect conditions. It’s excellent for experienced surfers, but the size and period might make it too straight for the beach break – still, the glassy surface is a dream. The afternoon gets too big again at 12ft.
Wednesday 2 September has more moderate energy at 2017, with 8ft SW swell, and the cross-off wind keeps it clean. A solid, but not epic, option.
The best of the whole run? Thursday 20 August morning, hands down. That glassy, powerful 12ft groundswell with perfect wind is a rare treat for the brave. Friday 21 August morning is a close second for cleaner, more manageable conditions. The long-range Tuesday 1 September morning is promising but less certain, so keep an eye on that one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1438 | 1777 | 2381 | 1978 | 1693 | 1500 | 4102 | 3145 | 1710 | 1182 | 755 | 436 | 471 | 2310 | 4737 | 3741 | 2219 | 1256 | 806 | 464 | 738 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | cross-off | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 2:11PM1.34m | 2:15AM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:02AM0.49m | 8:15PM0.51m | ||||||||
7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | E 8 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 |
1438 | 1777 | 2381 | 1978 | 1693 | 1500 | 4102 | 3145 | 1710 | 1182 | 755 | 436 | 471 | 5 | 4737 | 3741 | 2219 | 1256 | 806 | 464 | 738 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | SW 11 | ESE 5 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | SW 15 | WSW 12 | SSW 14 |
55 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 347 | 278 | 2 | — | 6 | — | — | — | 9 | 256 | 494 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | ESE 5 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 13 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 12 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | SW 6 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | 162 | 2310 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 415 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 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.











