
Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 5,509 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. We’ve only got one spot on the table this forecast period: Buffalo Bay Wildside. It’s an inconsistent setup, so when it does fire, you gotta be ready to move.
Kicking off Friday the 4th, we’ve got a 7ft ESE swell pushing in with 19 mph cross-off wind. The water’s sitting at 61°, which is a touch colder than usual for this time of year – about a couple degrees below normal, so you might want a spring suit. The combined energy is moderate (1133), but the surf quality is pretty marginal. Saturday the 5th is a bit smaller at 5ft and 5ft, but still just average.
Here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday morning the 6th sees the swell jump to 8ft from the SSW with a very long 19-second period. The energy is strong (4932). By Sunday afternoon it’s 10ft with a 17-second period and the energy is cranking (5997). The wind is howling at 22 mph though – cross-off, so it’s clean but gnarly. This swell is way too big for beginners, and honestly, even for most, it’s expert territory. For a point break or reef, that long period groundswell would be a dream, but Wildside is a beach setup, so expect it to close out and be a handful.
Now, Monday the 7th is the true standout. The swell drops to a more manageable 7ft from the SSW, period still a solid 14 seconds, and the wind goes glass in the morning – dead calm. That’s the window. Clean, powerful, and the energy is still strong (2767). This is the best on offer for experienced surfers. Tuesday morning the 8th is also glassy with a smaller 5ft E swell and moderate energy (860), but it’s a shorter period, so not as punchy.
The middle of the week from Wednesday the 9th through Thursday the 10th fades hard. Swell drops under 3ft with onshore or cross-onshore wind. Poor conditions. Then Friday the 11th picks up a bit with 6ft SSW swell but the wind is cross-shore, making it choppy. Still marginal.
Now, look ahead to Saturday the 12th. That’s the other major highlight. The morning is 8ft SSW with a 16-second period and a moderate breeze – clean. But the afternoon? 8ft SSW, 17-second period, and the energy is absolutely pumping (7015). The wind is a gentle cross-off breeze, so the surface will be clean. This is exceptional surf for experts – powerful, long-period groundswell. Just remember, over 8ft and it’s expert only.
Sunday the 13th turns ugly with onshore wind and a drop in quality. That continues into Monday and Tuesday the 14th and 15th, though Tuesday the 15th sees glassy morning winds again with a 8ft SSW swell and good energy (1610). Clean, but still big.
By Friday the 18th, we’re seeing another big pulse – 12ft SW swell with cross-off wind, but again, that’s too big for most, and the period is only 12 seconds, so it’s not as clean.
Overall, the standout sessions are Monday morning the 7th (glassy, 7ft, 14s SSW) and Saturday afternoon the 12th (clean, 8ft, 17s SSW). Get on those.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SW 12 | E 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
635 | 514 | 467 | 370 | 893 | 4455 | 5509 | 2682 | 1647 | 1280 | 599 | 397 | 314 | 171 | 192 | 286 | 223 | 346 | 537 | 1463 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:36PM1.27m | 9:53AM1.10m | 10:59PM1.21m | 12:15PM1.21m | 00:43AM1.33m | 1:22PM1.41m | 1:40AM1.49m | 2:07PM1.61m | 2:23AM1.63m | 2:45PM1.78m | 3:00AM1.73m | 3:19PM1.90m | 3:34AM1.79m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:22AM0.65m | 4:09PM0.71m | 5:49AM0.61m | 6:29PM0.60m | 7:09AM0.45m | 7:36PM0.42m | 7:57AM0.28m | 8:22PM0.24m | 8:34AM0.13m | 9:00PM0.11m | 9:08AM0.03m | 9:34PM0.02m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 |
328 | 113 | 467 | 370 | 346 | 4455 | 5509 | 2682 | 1647 | 1280 | 599 | 397 | 293 | 171 | 115 | 286 | 223 | 346 | 349 | 1463 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 10 | — | — | ESE 8 | SSE 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | E 9 | E 10 | E 11 | SW 15 | E 10 |
129 | 85 | 23 | 43 | 893 | 196 | — | — | 416 | 49 | 437 | 324 | 314 | 142 | 192 | 113 | 87 | 79 | 537 | 80 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | S 13 | — | S 13 | WSW 10 | S 12 | — | — | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SW 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSW 16 | E 10 | SE 13 |
41 | 87 | — | 14 | 38 | 26 | — | — | 35 | 58 | 244 | 139 | 102 | 48 | 96 | 36 | 16 | 26 | 108 | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | — | — |
635 | 514 | 208 | 178 | 271 | 255 | 488 | 494 | 669 | 414 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | 3 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 476 | 19 | 19 | 415 | 19 | 19 | 380 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 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.










