Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 11,853 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Buffalo Bay Wildside in the next 16 days are 5.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 11PM. 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 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve got a look at the next couple of weeks for Buffalo Bay Wildside. This spot is a wild one, and it’s going to be a real juggling act waiting for the right moment. The water is sittin’ at 60°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you might want an extra layer.
We’ve got a slow start, but things get interesting. The first real standout is a glassy session on the morning of Thursday the 27th of August. We’re talking a clean 7ft swell pumping in from the SSW with a long 12-second period. The wind is dead calm, glassy as a mirror. The combined energy is a solid 1470 (moderate). This is prime for an experienced surfer; it’s not a day for the groms. The swell direction is a solid match for the SE optimum, so expect some nice lines.
Then, hold onto your board, because Tuesday the 1st of September afternoon sees a massive 13ft SW swell roll in, with a combined energy of 8566 (very strong). But, and it’s a big but, that’s just too much juice for this break. The wind is light, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. This is strictly for the big-wave chargers or maybe the kite crew, because it’s a beach setup and that much power is going to be a washing machine for a paddle surfer.
After that big pulse, the swell drops. The morning of Thursday the 3rd of September is a real beauty though. It’s a glassy 8ft from the SW, with a 12-second period. The energy is still strong at 2391. The wind is glassy and the conditions are clean. This is another excellent session for the experienced crew. The optimum swell direction is SE, and the SW is a bit of a cross, but the quality of the wave could still be there.
The last real highlight is the morning of Sunday the 6th of September. We get a clean 8ft easterly swell with an 8-second period, and a sweet offshore wind from the NNE. The combined energy is 1955 (strong). This one is for the experts again, as the swell is over 8ft, and the shorter period means it might be a bit crumbly, but the offshore wind will hold it up.
The rest of the window is a bit of a mixed bag. We have a lot of marginal days with onshore winds, and a few days where the swell is just too big. There are gaps of a few days with no real recommendations, like the end of August and the middle of September. It’s not a long run of consistent surf, but those few sessions are absolute crackers.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 20°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 7 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1922 | 1552 | 2543 | 1310 | 1090 | 635 | 773 | 536 | 396 | 403 | 302 | 209 | 293 | 342 | 173 | 706 | 644 | 488 | 382 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:44AM1.55m | 3:06PM1.63m | 3:12AM1.65m | 3:32PM1.75m | 3:40AM1.72m | 3:59PM1.84m | 4:08AM1.76m | 4:26PM1.89m | 4:37AM1.76m | 4:54PM1.90m | 5:06AM1.72m | 5:24PM1.85m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:44PM0.38m | 8:56AM0.23m | 9:11PM0.26m | 9:21AM0.12m | 9:39PM0.16m | 9:46AM0.05m | 10:07PM0.09m | 10:13AM0.01m | 10:35PM0.06m | 10:40AM0.01m | 11:05PM0.06m | 11:09AM0.05m | 11:36PM0.12m | ||||||
 |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | 6:04 | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 25 | 26 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SW 14 | SW 8 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 1922 | 1552 | 2543 | 1310 | 1090 | 635 | 773 | 536 | 396 | 403 | 302 | 209 | 293 | 304 | 382 | 706 | 644 | 488 | 382 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | ESE 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 10 | SW 13 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | S 6 | E 10 |
| kJ | 359 | 527 | 154 | 397 | 370 | 333 | 243 | 207 | 196 | 187 | 167 | 172 | 145 | 342 | 64 | 39 | 21 | 27 | 35 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 12 | — | — | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | WSW 11 | SSE 14 | SW 14 | E 11 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | E 11 | SSE 6 |
| kJ | — | 462 | — | — | 127 | 330 | 11 | 46 | 160 | 197 | 88 | 89 | 95 | 65 | 20 | 20 | 11 | 21 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | SW 4 | SW 5 | — | SW 7 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 11 | 161 | 792 | 709 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 10 | 38 | — | 173 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 19 | 335 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 38 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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