Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and we’ve got a bit of a tale unfolding here at Buffalo Bay Wildside over the next couple of weeks. The water’s sitting at 63°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year – nothing weird going on there.

We kick off Sunday afternoon, 2nd August, with a clean 4 ft swell from the SW and a 13-second period. Cross-off breeze from the ESE at 3 mph, water’s smooth, and the combined energy is moderate (977). It’s not big, but it’s tidy and deserves a look.

Monday the 3rd is where it starts to get interesting. Morning glassy conditions with the wind barely a whisper from the E at 3 mph, and the swell bumps up to 6 ft from the ESE, 11-second period. The combined energy jumps to 1255. This is excellent surf, but it’s pushing into the 5 ft mark, so beginners might find it a bit much. The afternoon holds similar energy at 5 ft, cross-off, clean.

Tuesday the 4th drops off a little. Morning is clean with a 4 ft SW swell, 12-second period, and a light cross-off from the N at 6 mph. The afternoon turns ugly – onshore WSW wind at 9 mph, poor surf, not worth it.

Wednesday the 5th is a standout morning. Glassy as glass, WSW wind at only 3 mph, and a 4 ft SW swell with a very long 15-second period – that’s groundswell energy. Combined energy is 883, moderate. This long-period swell will be better shaped and more powerful, but it’s a point break or reef setup here, so it should hold up nicely. The afternoon gets messy with onshore wind and a 7 ft swell – marginal.

Thursday the 6th sees the swell jump to 10 ft from the SW, with combined energy soaring to 3602. That’s strong to very strong. The wind is a cross-on 12 mph from the W, and it’s choppy. This is too big for most – only for experts, and even then it’s a handful.

Friday the 7th is another possible highlight if you’re experienced. Morning and afternoon both have 8 ft SW swells with a 15-second period, cross-off easterly wind at 9 mph, and clean conditions. Combined energy is 2960 – strong. It’s big, but the wind is right, and the long period means proper waves. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so keep an eye out.

Saturday the 8th is a step down: onshore wind, 8 ft swell, marginal.

Sunday the 9th is a write-off – fresh cross-on wind at 22 mph, lumpy, poor surf.

Monday the 10th is messy with rain showers and onshore wind, but the morning has a 4 ft SW swell. The afternoon gets a 12 ft swell from the SW with a short 8-second period – that’s windswell, and combined energy is 1642. Too big and poorly shaped for paddle surfing; this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than anything else.

Tuesday the 11th is a massive spike. Morning: 21 ft SW swell, 14-second period, glassy, combined energy 16629 – very strong. Afternoon: 23 ft from the SSW, 16-second period, glassy, energy 24131. This is pure behemoth territory – only for the most hardcore experts, and even then, it’s a limit test. Crowds are possible, but most will be watching from the beach.

Wednesday the 12th stays enormous: 18 ft S swell, 16-second period, cross-on, energy 14983. Still only for experts.

Thursday the 13th morning has a 10 ft SSE swell, glassy, but still too big for most. The afternoon is the real highlight: 8 ft from the SSE, 14-second period, cross-off from the NNW at 3 mph, clean, combined energy 3017. This is excellent for experienced surfers – solid, clean, and the long period gives it heaps of grunt.

Friday the 14th drops off. Morning is choppy with cross-on wind, 5 ft swell. Afternoon has a 4 ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period, but onshore wind makes it marginal.

Saturday the 15th is a last hurrah. Morning: 8 ft from the SW, 15-second period, cross-off easterly at 9 mph, clean, combined energy 3022. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers. Afternoon stays clean but drops to 7 ft.

Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th are poor – onshore wind, lumpy, not worth getting wet.

The two true standouts are Wednesday morning the 5th – that glassy, long-period 4 ft SW groundswell for a clean, easy session – and Thursday afternoon the 13th, with the 8 ft SSE swell, glassy cross-off and heaps of energy. Both are clean, well-shaped, and worth the paddle.

Rusty.

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