Surf Forecasts:
Buffalo Bay surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 4,102 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Buffalo Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Buffalo Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Buffalo Bay in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 12s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, talking waves for the next couple of weeks. We got a strange mix of some real gems and some flat, blown-out days ahead.
First thing you'll feel when you hit the water is the cold. It's 57°F, which is about 6°F colder than normal. You're gonna need a thick wetsuit, boots, maybe a hood. It's a proper cold water anomaly.
The only break we got to talk about is Buffalo Bay, a beach and point setup. The best early action kicks off on Wednesday, August 19th. That morning sees a solid 8ft SW groundswell with a 12-second period, pushing strong wave energy (1995). The wind is light from the SW, making it cross-offshore and clean. Great waves, but 8ft is getting big, so it's for the experienced crew.
Thursday the 20th of August is the first major standout. Morning session has a bigger 12ft swell from the SSW, a long 13-second period, and the energy is cranking at 4109. The wind is light offshore from the WSW, so you're looking at some big, clean, powerful faces. This is a standout day for the experts. It's going to be big and mean.
Friday the 21st is a mess with strong onshore winds. Leave it. It cleans up for Saturday the 22nd with a smaller 5ft SW swell and clean offshore breezes. Good for a fun session. Crowds are possible here, so don't expect solitude.
Sunday the 23rd brings another pulse of 10ft size early on with light winds. Excellent again, but for the experienced.
Into the second week, it goes quiet and messy. From Tuesday the 25th through Sunday the 30th, the wind is mostly onshore, or the swell is small. The 30th is a total wipeout with strong east winds. That stretch is about 5 days of poor to average conditions.
But hold on. There is a massive long-range standout on Thursday, September 3rd. Over two weeks out, so treat it with a grain of salt, but the numbers are insane. We're looking at a 16ft SW swell with a 13-second period. The energy is off the charts—8290 in the morning and 8523 in the afternoon. Light cross-offshore winds will keep it clean. That's a giant, expert-only bomb. Do not even think about it if you aren't a pro.
In between, there are a few good smaller days. Tuesday, September 1st, has glassy conditions and a clean 6ft swell. Wednesday morning, September 2nd, is also clean with 6ft and light cross-offshore wind.
So your two best bets are Thursday, August 20th, for the first big, clean swell, and that monster on Thursday, September 3rd. That second one is the one you want. Circle it. The forecast can change, but for now, winter is showing its teeth.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1978 | 1693 | 1500 | 4102 | 3193 | 1914 | 1250 | 486 | 821 | 488 | 480 | 2071 | 2698 | 2044 | 674 | 908 | 780 | 725 | 1626 | 1584 | 1021 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | glassy | on | on | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 2:39PM1.49m | 2:44AM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:30AM0.35m | 8:44PM0.38m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 1978 | 1693 | 1500 | 4102 | 3193 | 1914 | 1250 | 486 | 821 | 488 | 480 | 2071 | 2698 | 2044 | 674 | 908 | 780 | 725 | 1626 | 1584 | 970 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SW 11 | ESE 5 | SSW 14 | E 7 | SW 16 | — | — | WSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | — | S 20 | SSW 17 |
| kJ | 17 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 403 | 37 | 210 | 4 | 41 | — | — | 500 | 335 | 392 | 529 | — | 194 | 1021 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | — | E 8 | — | — | SSW 14 | — | SSW 15 | — | — | — | ESE 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | 6 | — | 5 | — | — | 330 | — | 610 | — | — | — | 58 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | WSW 6 | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | E 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | — | 164 | 333 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 121 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Garden Route | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Buffalo Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Buffalo Bay 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 can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Buffalo Bay 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) 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 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, 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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