Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, switching to feet and miles for the imperial crew.

Let’s talk Buffalo Bay Wildside. The first real surf worth paddling out for hits Tuesday morning, the 8th of September. There’s a clean 5ft swell rolling in from the east with a 9-second period, and the wind is glassy – dead calm. The combined energy is moderate (669), so you’ll feel some push, but it’s not a monster. This is a great, mellow session for an intermediate. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so just your usual spring suit, no surprises. Tuesday afternoon holds up too, with a 4ft swell from the southwest, period stretching to 12 seconds, and clean cross-offshore winds. The energy is still moderate (672). This is the best bet on offer, a solid little window of clean waves.

The good stuff fades Wednesday as the swell drops right off to 2ft, and it gets messy. Thursday through to Saturday morning is a bit of a write-off, with onshore winds and a building, but crumbly, swell. The energy climbs from 390 to over 1500, but the wind is on it, and the wave comment tells the story – marginal at best. By Sunday the 13th, the swell is getting bigger, hitting 7ft, but it’s onshore and messy. This is getting too big for the clean conditions it needs.

Now, hold on to your board. Monday the 14th of September morning is a standout. The swell is a solid 5ft from the southwest with a 13-second period, and we get clean cross-offshore winds. The combined energy is strong (1262), and the wave report says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The afternoon gets sloppy with a short-period 7ft SE swell, so get it in the morning.

Tuesday the 15th has a tiny 1ft groundswell with a 27-second period, which is a very long-period swell. That long period and small size means it will be weak and fat, only really working if the tide is right, and it’s coming from the SSW which isn’t the optimum SE direction. The morning is glassy, but it’s a gamble. I’d skip it.

Things get serious from the 16th of September. The swell jumps to 12ft, then 13ft, with very strong energy (over 10,000). The problem is, the forecast says it’s too big for this break. The wind is also cross-onshore, making it choppy. This is expert only, if anyone is silly enough to try. It’s a full-on, dangerous washout through the 19th, with heavy rain and fresh winds adding to the chaos. The waves are there, but the quality is gone.

The 20th of September sees a return to cleaner conditions. The morning is a bit cross, but the afternoon brings a 5ft southwest swell with a 14-second period and clean cross-offshore winds. The energy is strong (1989), and the report says excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a solid second-week option.

The 21st and 22nd of September are back to being too big, with 13ft to 15ft swells, again too much for the spot. The 23rd of September drops back to a manageable 4ft, but the wind is onshore, so it’s a flat finish.

So, the standout is Monday the 14th of September morning. Get up early for that clean 5ft SW groundswell. The Tuesday morning the 8th is also a great little session. The second week is a mix of too big or too messy, but the afternoon of the 20th of September has a good window.

Rusty out.

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