Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 2,519 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s 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 13) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 3.0m and 9s 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 2.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about what’s coming up for Buffalo Bay Wildside.
We’ve got a stretch ahead with some real quality in the mix, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The window opens on Thursday, August 13th, with a solid SSW groundswell rolling in. That morning you’re looking at a clean 5 ft swell from the SSW with a very long 19-second period, pushing a strong energy reading (4134). A moderate NE offshore breeze keeps it clean, but the size and power make this one for experienced surfers only. The afternoon holds 6 ft from the SW, still powerful, with a light cross-off wind.
Friday, August 14th is a standout. The morning offers 5 ft SW swell with a clean cross-off breeze, and then the afternoon goes glassy with a 4 ft SW swell and a period of 15 seconds. That’s the kind of clean, lined-up surf you wait for. The energy is still solid (1034), and the conditions are perfect.
The weekend sees a drop in size. Saturday is smaller and less consistent – 4 ft SW with a cross breeze in the morning. The afternoon cleans up a bit. Sunday is a write-off with tiny, onshore slop – not worth a paddle.
The surf picks back up on Monday, August 17th. A glassy start with 5 ft SW swell (14-second period) and very good energy (983). The afternoon builds to 6 ft with clean cross-off wind – another excellent session for those with experience.
Tuesday the 18th gets messy with onshore wind, and Wednesday the 19th sees a rise in size to 7 ft and 8 ft, but the wind is on it and the quality drops. That’s big and bumpy.
Monday, August 24th is worth circling. The morning brings 5 ft SW swell, clean with a light offshore breeze and good energy (1295). It’s a proper, clean groundswell.
Now, the big call comes on Tuesday, August 25th – the standout of the whole run. The morning shows a massive 10 ft E swell, but with a short 9-second period and very strong energy (2935). The wind is light cross-shore, but the size is extreme – expert only, and even then, it might be too big for this break. This one is for the big-wave crew, and only if you know what you’re doing.
We round out the forecast with Thursday, August 28th – another glassy morning with 7 ft SW swell, a long 16-second period, and excellent energy (2138). That’s a powerful, clean groundswell for the experienced crew.
Overall, the best bets are Friday the 14th for clean, fun waves and Monday the 24th for a solid, clean session. The 25th is the heavy hitter, but only for the brave.
The water is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
-Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat night, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | SSW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | ESE 6 | E 9 | E 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2106 | 1694 | 2238 | 1314 | 954 | 777 | 606 | 471 | 465 | 69 | 110 | 110 | 685 | 816 | 1067 | 226 | 744 | 609 | 503 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 3:55AM1.80m | 4:18PM1.92m | 4:31AM1.80m | 4:52PM1.93m | 5:05AM1.75m | 5:26PM1.88m | 5:37AM1.66m | 5:57PM1.78m | 6:08AM1.54m | 6:27PM1.64m | 6:38AM1.41m | 6:58PM1.48m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:53PM0.06m | 10:05AM-0.03m | 10:31PM0.03m | 10:39AM-0.04m | 11:06PM0.05m | 11:10AM0.01m | 11:38PM0.12m | 11:40AM0.10m | 00:10AM0.22m | 12:09PM0.23m | 00:40AM0.35m | 12:38PM0.38m | 1:11AM0.49m | ||||||
 |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | |
 | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | 5:54 | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 16 | 21 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 17 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SW 17 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 1353 | 645 | 2238 | 586 | 412 | 257 | 606 | 471 | 465 | 364 | 412 | 544 | 685 | 816 | 1067 | 668 | 744 | 609 | 503 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | ESE 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | E 8 | E 8 | SW 5 | ESE 6 | E 9 | SW 5 | WSW 5 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 15 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 7 |
| kJ | 1978 | 1694 | 505 | 1314 | 954 | 777 | 173 | 140 | 7 | 69 | 110 | 23 | 24 | 151 | 144 | 226 | 72 | 49 | 151 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 16 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | S 12 | E 8 | S 10 | E 11 | E 8 | SW 6 | — | E 10 | E 10 | — | E 10 |
| kJ | 37 | 886 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 25 | 3 | 58 | 2 | 110 | 46 | 16 | — | 104 | 96 | — | 30 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | SW 4 | — | E 8 | E 6 | WSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | SW 6 | — |
| kJ | 2106 | 909 | 749 | — | — | — | 9 | — | 205 | 96 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 69 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 38 |
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.
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