
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 4,277 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 12s. 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and we’ve got a bit of a tale unfolding here at Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next couple of weeks. The water’s sitting at 63°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year – nothing weird going on there.
We kick off Sunday afternoon, 2nd August, with a clean 4 ft swell from the SW and a 13-second period. Cross-off breeze from the ESE at 3 mph, water’s smooth, and the combined energy is moderate (977). It’s not big, but it’s tidy and deserves a look.
Monday the 3rd is where it starts to get interesting. Morning glassy conditions with the wind barely a whisper from the E at 3 mph, and the swell bumps up to 6 ft from the ESE, 11-second period. The combined energy jumps to 1255. This is excellent surf, but it’s pushing into the 5 ft mark, so beginners might find it a bit much. The afternoon holds similar energy at 5 ft, cross-off, clean.
Tuesday the 4th drops off a little. Morning is clean with a 4 ft SW swell, 12-second period, and a light cross-off from the N at 6 mph. The afternoon turns ugly – onshore WSW wind at 9 mph, poor surf, not worth it.
Wednesday the 5th is a standout morning. Glassy as glass, WSW wind at only 3 mph, and a 4 ft SW swell with a very long 15-second period – that’s groundswell energy. Combined energy is 883, moderate. This long-period swell will be better shaped and more powerful, but it’s a point break or reef setup here, so it should hold up nicely. The afternoon gets messy with onshore wind and a 7 ft swell – marginal.
Thursday the 6th sees the swell jump to 10 ft from the SW, with combined energy soaring to 3602. That’s strong to very strong. The wind is a cross-on 12 mph from the W, and it’s choppy. This is too big for most – only for experts, and even then it’s a handful.
Friday the 7th is another possible highlight if you’re experienced. Morning and afternoon both have 8 ft SW swells with a 15-second period, cross-off easterly wind at 9 mph, and clean conditions. Combined energy is 2960 – strong. It’s big, but the wind is right, and the long period means proper waves. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so keep an eye out.
Saturday the 8th is a step down: onshore wind, 8 ft swell, marginal.
Sunday the 9th is a write-off – fresh cross-on wind at 22 mph, lumpy, poor surf.
Monday the 10th is messy with rain showers and onshore wind, but the morning has a 4 ft SW swell. The afternoon gets a 12 ft swell from the SW with a short 8-second period – that’s windswell, and combined energy is 1642. Too big and poorly shaped for paddle surfing; this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than anything else.
Tuesday the 11th is a massive spike. Morning: 21 ft SW swell, 14-second period, glassy, combined energy 16629 – very strong. Afternoon: 23 ft from the SSW, 16-second period, glassy, energy 24131. This is pure behemoth territory – only for the most hardcore experts, and even then, it’s a limit test. Crowds are possible, but most will be watching from the beach.
Wednesday the 12th stays enormous: 18 ft S swell, 16-second period, cross-on, energy 14983. Still only for experts.
Thursday the 13th morning has a 10 ft SSE swell, glassy, but still too big for most. The afternoon is the real highlight: 8 ft from the SSE, 14-second period, cross-off from the NNW at 3 mph, clean, combined energy 3017. This is excellent for experienced surfers – solid, clean, and the long period gives it heaps of grunt.
Friday the 14th drops off. Morning is choppy with cross-on wind, 5 ft swell. Afternoon has a 4 ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period, but onshore wind makes it marginal.
Saturday the 15th is a last hurrah. Morning: 8 ft from the SW, 15-second period, cross-off easterly at 9 mph, clean, combined energy 3022. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers. Afternoon stays clean but drops to 7 ft.
Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th are poor – onshore wind, lumpy, not worth getting wet.
The two true standouts are Wednesday morning the 5th – that glassy, long-period 4 ft SW groundswell for a clean, easy session – and Thursday afternoon the 13th, with the 8 ft SSE swell, glassy cross-off and heaps of energy. Both are clean, well-shaped, and worth the paddle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | ESE 10 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
921 | 655 | 634 | 541 | 383 | 350 | 245 | 509 | 1933 | 2148 | 3514 | 2787 | 3288 | 2953 | 2708 | 2967 | 1933 | 2063 | 4055 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:03AM1.58m | 6:27PM1.70m | 6:39AM1.49m | 7:04PM1.62m | 7:21AM1.37m | 7:51PM1.50m | 8:19AM1.23m | 9:00PM1.37m | 9:56AM1.14m | 10:48PM1.31m | 12:01PM1.18m | 00:33AM1.38m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:05AM0.23m | 12:08PM0.18m | 00:40AM0.29m | 12:42PM0.27m | 1:23AM0.37m | 1:24PM0.39m | 2:18AM0.48m | 2:22PM0.53m | 3:41AM0.58m | 3:58PM0.63m | 5:38AM0.57m | 6:03PM0.60m | |||||||
— | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | |
5:47 | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 23 | 25 | 21 | 26 | 30 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 17 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
921 | 655 | 634 | 541 | 356 | 349 | 245 | 240 | 1933 | 2148 | 3514 | 2787 | 3288 | 2953 | 2708 | 2967 | 1933 | 2063 | 4055 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | — | ESE 5 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
278 | 600 | 488 | 528 | 383 | 350 | 220 | 509 | 235 | 148 | 90 | 64 | 68 | 46 | — | 20 | 240 | 168 | 79 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | — | S 13 | — | — | SSW 18 | SSW 15 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | — | — | E 9 | — | — | — |
264 | — | 3 | — | — | 30 | 86 | 138 | — | — | — | — | 68 | — | — | 28 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 3 | — | NNW 3 | W 3 | — | — | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | — | WSW 5 | SW 7 | — |
— | — | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 69 | — | 56 | 268 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











