Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay Wildside surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 4,440 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 11s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break this down in feet and miles per hour, like you’re reading it in the parking lot.
First up, the water temp at Buffalo Bay Wildside is 57°, which is about 6° colder than it should be for August. That’s a serious chill — bring the 5/4.
The opening stretch is pretty average. You’ve got chest-high swell around 7 to 8 ft from the SW, period around 12 seconds — decent groundswell energy — but the wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, making it bumpy. Wave energy readings are strong, between 1700 and 2000, but it’s not clean enough to get excited about.
Thursday the 20th is a big day — morning shows 11 ft from the SSW with a 13-second period, energy reading at 4447 — that’s huge for this spot. Problem is, Wildside can’t handle that size. It’ll be closing out and dangerous for anyone but the most experienced. Wind is light, but it’s onshore. Unless you’re a pro, sit it out.
The real standout? Wednesday morning the 26th. Swell drops to a clean 6 ft from the SW, 13 seconds, and the wind goes glassy. Energy is moderate at 1161. That’s smooth, groomed waves with no wind texture — perfect for an intermediate surfer to have a ball.
Thursday afternoon the 27th also serves up glassy conditions, but the swell is smaller at 5 ft from the SSE with a 14-second period — slower, more inconsistent, but still clean for a longboard or fun board.
Into the second week, Friday morning the 28th is glassy again with a 5 ft, 15-second SW swell — that’s a long-period groundswell, so it’ll have plenty of push but wider gaps between sets. Works best at a reef or point, not a beach break.
Saturday afternoon the 29th offers clean cross-off winds and 6 ft from the SW, 12 seconds — energy around 1298 — that’ll give you some punchy, rideable walls.
Sunday morning the 30th is glassy but the swell is from the east at 6 ft and only 7 seconds — short period windswell, so expect lumpy, weak waves. Not ideal.
The best call for the longer range? Monday morning the 31st — 7 ft SW with a 16-second period, energy at 2340, and light cross-off winds. That’s a serious groundswell with real depth. If the direction locks in for Wildside, this could be the best session of the whole two weeks. Just know the lulls will be long and the currents will pull.
To sum it up: circle the 26th for clean, fun waves, and the 31st if you’re hunting something bigger and cleaner. The rest is mostly average or blown out.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 8 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1777 | 2381 | 1978 | 1693 | 1500 | 4440 | 3489 | 1946 | 1250 | 924 | 821 | 582 | 468 | 2365 | 2555 | 1638 | 1035 | 756 | 485 | 1106 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 6:58PM1.48m | 7:10AM1.26m | 7:31PM1.31m | 7:49AM1.12m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:11AM0.49m | 1:08PM0.53m | 1:49AM0.63m | 1:47PM0.68m | 2:58AM0.75m | 3:17PM0.82m | 6:04AM0.77m | 6:39PM0.79m | 7:27AM0.63m | 7:40PM0.65m | 8:02AM0.49m | 8:15PM0.51m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 |
1777 | 2381 | 1978 | 1693 | 1500 | 4440 | 3489 | 1946 | 1250 | 924 | 821 | 582 | 328 | 2365 | 2555 | 1638 | 1035 | 756 | 485 | 1106 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 11 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | E 6 | E 8 | — | — | — | SSW 14 | WSW 12 | E 10 |
33 | 31 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 387 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | 62 | 211 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 121 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 3 | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | WSW 6 | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 7 | 155 | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | 144 | 468 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
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.











