Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
13.9° C
3.3° 

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 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,844 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Thu 20th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Best Surf11PM (Thu 20th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 8AM (Tue 25th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s heading our way.

We've got a solid run of swell coming into Buffalo Bay Wildside, but you've got to pick your moments. The water’s sitting at 57° – that’s a massive 6° colder than normal for this time of year, so a thick wetsuit is non-negotiable.

Things kick off proper on Thursday, August 20th. There's a big, powerful SW swell hitting 10ft with a long 13-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at 3379, that’s strong. But here's the thing – it’s predicted to be too big for this break. The water’s glassy though, wind is light from the south at 3 mph. If you’re a seasoned charger looking for a real beast, maybe, but for most of us, it’s probably a look-and-leave.

Friday the 21st morning is your first real standout. The swell drops to a more manageable 7ft from the SW, 12-second period, energy at 1256. Winds are light cross-off from the ESE at 6 mph, keeping the surf clean. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers, and with the break being inconsistent and crowds only sometimes an issue, it’s a good window to get some quality waves without a packed lineup.

Friday afternoon sees the swell ease to 5ft, but the wind picks up to 12 mph cross-off, and the window for quality closes quickly. Saturday and Sunday are largely a write-off with cross-on winds and choppy conditions, though Sunday morning has a 8ft SW swell and 1304 energy, but the wind is cross-shore and the surf is marginal.

Now, looking ahead to Tuesday, August 25th morning, we’ve got another serious pulse. Swell jumps back to 8ft from the SW, period stretching to 14 seconds, and energy is massive at 2846. Wind is light cross-off from the east at 6 mph – that’s clean and powerful. This is for experienced surfers only; it’s too big for beginners. Keep an eye on it.

By Wednesday the 26th morning, the swell drops to 5ft but the wind goes glassy from the ENE at 3 mph. That’s gold. The 13-second period gives it shape, and with 1101 energy, this is a sweet, clean morning for a solid session with not a hint of wind. Friday the 28th is a write-off, but Saturday the 29th morning brings another good window: 5ft SW swell, 14-second period, 1372 energy, and clean cross-off winds. A nice repeat performer.

There’s a big lull after that until the end of August. A couple of small, clean windows around the 31st with glassy conditions, but the swell is small. Then, hold onto your board – early September sees a proper monster. Wednesday, September 2nd afternoon, a 20ft SW swell with a 15-second period and energy reading of 23583 rolls in. That’s extreme. Wind is light onshore. It’s predicted to be too big for this spot, even for experts.

Thursday the 3rd morning is still massive at 18ft, energy 17802. Friday the 4th morning, still 10ft. This is not paddle surfing – this is a whole other level. For most of us, it’s going to be more interesting for the kite crew.

Stay safe, pick your windows, and don’t get caught out by that cold water.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the E by Wed afternoon).

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
2
0
0
3
4
3
4
1
2
4
3
3
4
3
!
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
1.5
SSW
12
1.4
SSW
11
1.7
SSW
11
1.5
SW
12
2.2
SW
12
2.3
SW
11
2
SW
11
1.9
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
1.7
SW
12
1.8
SW
11
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
1.9
SW
12
3
ESE
7
2.2
ESE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1914
1250
644
460
739
594
1302
1302
1004
1118
760
752
851
2687
2238
1777
1010
746
600
Wind (km/h)
5
N
10
SE
20
E
10
WNW
25
W
20
WSW
10
WSW
5
S
10
SSE
5
N
10
SW
10
WSW
5
NW
10
SSE
10
SE
10
ENE
20
E
30
E
10
NE
Wind State
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
glassy
cross
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
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
2:39PM1.49m
2:44AM1.55m
3:06PM1.63m
3:12AM1.65m
Low Tide
2:58AM0.75m
3:17PM0.82m
6:04AM0.77m
6:39PM0.79m
7:27AM0.63m
7:40PM0.65m
8:02AM0.49m
8:15PM0.51m
8:30AM0.35m
8:44PM0.38m
8:56AM0.23m
9:11PM0.26m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:56
6:56
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:02
6:04
6:04
6:05
 mm
Temp °C
13
16
17
14
16
18
15
15
16
13
16
16
13
15
16
13
19
21
17
Feels °C
13
14
14
13
11
13
14
15
14
12
14
14
13
14
14
11
16
17
14
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
How to use the Wavefinder 
submit an eyeball surf report

Quick surf report for Buffalo Bay Wildside:

join our community of surf reporters

FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website

The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.


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.

Nearest locationNearest