Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.08° S 22.98° E

Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Buffalo Bay Wildside sea temperature is
15.6°C
1.6° 

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 4 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 5,183 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period with SSE 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 9s period. 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 3.0m 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 0.9m 12s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Fri 4th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 9s
Best Surf 8AM (Fri 4th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 9s
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, Rusty here with a look at the Buffalo Bay Wildside forecast. The water's running a bit colder than normal for this time of year at 60°, which is a couple degrees off the mark, so you'll want to feel that before you commit.

We’ve got a slow start on Friday the 4th. The swell is there—8 ft from the southeast—but it’s messy with a 16 mph cross-off wind. The wave energy is moderate (1680), but it's nothing to get excited about. Saturday the 5th drops right off with knee-high slop, so don't bother.

Sunday the 6th is where it gets interesting. A serious SSW groundswell builds through the day, hitting 10 ft by the afternoon with a 17-second period. Wind is cross-off at 22 mph though—that’s fresh—but the wave energy is pumping hard (6077). It’s big. Over 8 ft, so this is expert territory only. Too much for most.

The real standout is Monday the 7th. Morning brings glassy conditions—wind is dead calm at 3 mph—and a solid 6 ft SSW groundswell with a 14-second period. The energy is strong (2150) and the face will be smooth. This is the best on offer for experienced surfers. If you can handle it, that’s your window. Afternoon stays clean with a light cross-off.

Tuesday the 8th is smaller, around 5 ft, but clean. Not a standout, just a fun day.

From Wednesday the 9th through Thursday the 11th, the swell drops and the wind turns onshore or cross-on. Swell energy falls into the weak-to-moderate range (416-1744). It’s marginal. No reason to paddle out.

Saturday the 12th brings another pulse: 8 ft SSW groundswell in the morning, clean, with light cross-off wind. Energy is strong (2820). But by afternoon it jumps to 12 ft and the wind picks up to 19 mph—again, expert only and might be more kite-surfing territory than paddle.

From Sunday the 13th through Monday the 14th, the swell stays well over 8 ft—10 ft to 12 ft—with short 8-second period at times, cross-off wind. Big and chunky. Only for the brave.

Tuesday the 15th is a beauty in the morning: glassy conditions, 5 ft ESE swell, light wind. Clean and manageable. A good session for intermediates.

Then Wednesday the 16th brings a beast: 15 ft SSW swell, 11-second period. Energy is massive (5043). That’s huge, cross-onshore wind—this is for pros or heavy-water chargers only.

Thursday the 17th is blown out with onshore wind and rain. Skip it.

Finally, Friday the 18th morning is glassy calm with 5 ft SW groundswell at 15 seconds. Energy is moderate (1291). Smooth and clean—a happy way to finish the stretch. The afternoon jumps back to 13 ft, so pick your session.

Best call: Monday the 7th morning for experienced surfers. Glassy, solid groundswell, clean. If you’re intermediate, Tuesday the 15th morning is your best bet.

Stay salty,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
1
3
3
!
4
4
4
4
2
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
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
SE
9
2.2
ESE
8
2.1
ESE
8
1.4
SSW
11
1.4
SSW
10
0.9
SSW
22
2.3
SSW
19
3
SSW
17
2.3
SSW
16
1.9
SSW
14
1.8
SSW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.5
E
10
1.1
SW
12
1
E
10
0.7
SW
14
1
SW
13
0.9
SW
12
1
SW
16
2
SW
14
2.1
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
971
635
522
408
370
705
3813
5183
2486
1447
1258
841
414
319
184
187
330
248
508
1572
1889
Wind (km/h)
25
ESE
30
ESE
15
ENE
20
ESE
25
ESE
20
E
25
E
35
E
15
ENE
5
E
10
SE
5
NW
5
SE
15
E
5
NNW
10
WSW
15
W
5
WSW
10
SSW
5
SSW
5
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
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
1:58PM0.59m
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
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:41
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:10
6:12
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:15
6:15
 mm
Temp °C
16
16
14
16
17
15
18
19
16
23
24
22
26
26
22
26
23
17
18
18
17
Feels °C
10
11
9
12
13
12
14
14
12
23
24
22
26
24
22
26
22
17
18
18
18
  • 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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