Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 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, 2PM (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 7,454 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 glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 20th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Best Surf 2PM (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

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Buffalo Bay Wildside.

We’ve got a run of surf coming through, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The early part of the week has some solid height, but the wind and conditions are going to keep things from being perfect. The water temp is sitting at 64°, which is about average for this time of year, so no need to dig out the thickest rubber just yet.

The real standout of the whole forecast is Tuesday the 21st. We’re looking at a clean, glassy morning with a 7ft SSW swell and a period of 14 seconds. That’s proper groundswell with plenty of grunt and shape. The wave energy is strong (1949). The wind goes glassy, and by the afternoon it’s a clean cross-off breeze. Conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is the day to circle. The swell direction is a good match for the break’s optimum SE direction, so it should line up nicely.

Saturday the 25th is another solid shout. The morning is glassy again with a 8ft SSW swell (13-14 second period). The combined energy is very strong (2401-2623). The wind stays clean, and the surf is in the excellent range for experienced surfers. This spot is inconsistent, so when it's on, it's worth the gamble.

Monday the 22nd sees a 7ft SW swell, but a cross-on wind kicks up and makes it choppy. Things get messy. By Thursday the 24th, the swell jumps to a massive 12ft with a 16-second period (wave energy of 6659). That’s serious power, and the wind is clean and cross-off, but it’s simply too big for this spot. That’s expert-only territory if you’re feeling brave.

The second week starts to look a bit grim. From the 28th onward, we’ve got rain showers, rain, and strong cross-on winds. There’s still size, but the quality drops off a cliff. The 31st of July sees another 12ft SSW pulse, but it’s cross-on and messy. Too big and too windy for a good time.

The 30th of July morning is a little glimmer: a 6ft SW swell with a clean cross-off wind and a 12-second period. Wave energy is moderate (1405). It’s a good option if you want a break from the chaos.

For the first few days of August, it’s mostly onshore winds and rain, with some size but very poor conditions. The 4th of August has a very long period 17-second SSW swell at 5ft, but the wind is onshore and it’s raining. The shape would be there, but the wind will ruin it.

Best bet: Tuesday the 21st for the cleanest, glassiest conditions. Saturday the 25th is your next best pick for a clean, powerful session.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
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
3
4
4
4
1
1
3
2
!
!
!
!
!
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)
1.8
SW
11
1.2
ESE
12
1.2
SE
11
2
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
14
2.4
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
2
SW
12
1.3
SSW
12
2
SW
12
3
SW
11
3.5
SSW
17
3.5
SSW
16
3.5
SSW
15
3
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
13
2.3
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
1.8
SW
12
2
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
792
371
380
1582
2668
1942
1319
1129
511
1022
2077
7454
6609
4723
3456
2368
2576
1568
1200
944
1150
Wind (km/h)
5
W
5
SW
10
NNW
0
W
10
ESE
5
NNE
15
W
15
WSW
10
NW
10
W
15
WSW
5
SW
10
E
15
ESE
5
N
5
ESE
10
ESE
10
NE
10
N
0
WSW
10
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-on
on
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
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
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
8:16AM0.47m
8:26PM0.52m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
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
7:28
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
16
17
14
15
16
13
16
16
14
18
15
14
15
18
16
19
20
16
24
29
22
Feels °C
15
15
13
15
15
12
13
13
11
15
12
11
13
15
15
18
18
14
21
27
20
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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