Buffalo Bay surfForecast / Garden Route / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Tuesday 17 Feb 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Buffalo Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Buffalo Bay sea temperature is
23.4° C
(Which is 1.8°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Buffalo Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Buffalo Bay over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Feb 17) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.9m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.2m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Buffalo Bay in the next 12 days are 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Feb 18) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Feb 19) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Tue 17th Feb)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Best Surf 8AM (Tue 17th Feb)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Most Powerful 2AM (Wed 18th Feb)7ft (2.2m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Buffalo Bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun morning, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
4
4
3
1
2
1
0
1
1
4
2
3
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
SSW
1.9
SSW
2.2
SW
2
SW
1.8
SW
1.9
SW
2
SW
2
SSW
2.1
SSW
1.4
SW
1.3
SW
1.4
S
1.5
SSE
2.3
SE
2.3
SE
2.1
SE
3
ESE
2.1
SE
1.7
ESE
1.5
ESE
1
SSW
Period(s) (?)161515141313131312121288788888811
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)90416552148158110991242134613381342570448247259589600517996613383307261
Wind
(km/h)
15
W
10
WSW
5
WNW
10
S
10
SSE
15
WNW
15
WSW
15
SW
5
WNW
5
S
15
SSE
5
NE
15
SE
20
ESE
10
ENE
10
SE
15
W
5
NE
15
SW
15
NW
10
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
glasscrosscrossoffoffcross-
off
glasscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
offcross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:58PM
1.77
4:18AM
1.88
4:27PM
1.80
4:47AM
1.93
4:58PM
1.79
5:17AM
1.93
5:29PM
1.74
5:49AM
1.88
6:03PM
1.64
6:23AM
1.76
6:39PM
1.51
7:02AM
1.60
7:22PM
1.34
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:57AM
0.12
10:06PM
-0.00
10:26AM
0.05
10:34PM
-0.04
10:57AM
0.02
11:02PM
-0.03
11:28AM
0.04
11:33PM
0.03
12:02PM
0.11
12:05AM
0.13
12:38PM
0.23
12:41AM
0.27
1:21PM
0.39
1:25AM
0.45
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Sunrise6:03--6:05--6:05--6:07--6:07--6:07--6:09--
Sunset-7:19--7:17--7:16--7:15--7:14--7:13--7:12-
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
Rain (mm)
------1-------1-27-273
Temp. °C282523252622222320232421242422272624262421
Feels °C (?)272424252624232322242422242323292723262619
  • 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 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 12 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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