Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Howdy, Rusty here. For Buffalo Bay Wildside, it's a real rollercoaster over the next two weeks. The start of the run is all about big, powerful swell that's either too messy or too heavy for most of us. Then the wave size drops into a sweet spot before the flat spell hits, and later on there's another window of clean, bigger surf for the brave.

It all starts Wednesday, 8 July. We've got a 8ft SW swell at 13 seconds, but a cross-onshore 9 mph wind is chopping it up. Water's about average for this time of year. Not a session to write home about.

Thursday the 9th, the swell jumps to 10ft from the SSW. The wind goes light onshore in the morning and almost glassy in the afternoon. But listen, any wave over 8ft is a big, serious wave – only for the experienced crew. The combined energy is massive (3474 and 3034), and it's clean, but you'd better know what you're doing.

Friday the 10th stays at 10ft from the SSW. Mornings are a bit bumpy with a light cross-onshore, but the afternoon turns glassy. Still, it's a lot of water moving, and the energy is deep (3423 and 2863).

Now, Saturday the 11th is the real standout of the first week. The swell drops to 8ft from the S, with a clean cross-offshore wind from the E at 6 mph in the morning. The faces will be clean, and there's plenty of grunt (1866 combined energy). This is excellent for the experienced surfer. The afternoon stays clean but windier.

Sunday the 12th is the one for the wider crew. Swell eases to 5ft from the SSW (11 seconds), and the morning is glassy – dead calm, perfect. The energy is moderate (747), and the waves should be clean and fun. The afternoon is clean, too. This is your best bet for a friendly session.

Then the wheels fall off. From Monday the 13th through Wednesday the 15th, the swell drops below 3ft, with poor onshore winds and choppy, ugly conditions. Combined energy is well under 500. Not worth getting wet.

Thursday the 16th, it comes roaring back: 10ft SW swell but with a howling 19 mph cross-onshore wind. It's a lumpy, blown-out mess. By the afternoon, it's 13ft and onshore. Terrible for paddle surfing – this is kite-surfing territory.

Friday the 17th is still big at 12ft from the SSW, but the afternoon wind turns cross-offshore, cleaning it up for the hardcore guys.

Saturday the 18th is cleaner but still windy – marginal.

Now, the long-range highlight: Sunday the 19th afternoon. A 7ft SSW groundswell with a very long 17-second period, and a solid offshore wind from the ENE at 16 mph. The energy is pumping at 3083. This wave has serious power and shape, but with that long period on a beach break, it'll be fast and walling – better suited to a point or reef. For the experienced, it's excellent.

Monday the 20th afternoon looks good too: 5ft SSW, light offshore breeze, solid energy (1084). A clean option.

Tuesday the 21st is smaller and glassy in the morning with 4ft of SW swell – a nice, easy day.

Wednesday the 22nd morning is tiny (2ft) with a crazy-long 21-second period – long waits between sets. The afternoon jumps to 8ft SW with glassy conditions, but the tide might be an issue.

Thursday the 23rd keeps the 8ft SW swell and glassy wind – big and clean, for the brave only.

Rusty out.

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