Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and listen up. I’ve been staring at the charts for Buffalo Bay Wildside, and there’s one clear message: this spot is a fickle beast, but when it lights up, it really lights up.

Right now, the outlook is a slow burner. We’re kicking off with some surf on Monday the 20th, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Monday morning you’re looking at a 6ft southwest swell with a moderate 11-second period, but the wind is cross-on, and the combined energy is moderate (1127). It’s marginal. The afternoon cleans right up, though—the wind goes glassy, the swell drops to a cleaner 4ft from the ESE with a longer 12-second period, and the energy is still decent (868). That’s a nice window for a few clean waves, but it’s inconsistent here, so don’t expect a party.

The real standout is Tuesday morning the 21st. Get on it. Glassy conditions, a solid 6ft swell from the SSW with a long 14-second period, and the combined energy is strong (1829). The surf report says it’s excellent for experienced surfers, and I’m buying that. This is a true groundswell with long gaps between sets, but when they come, they’ll be well-shaped. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The swell builds through the week, but the wind gets messy. By Wednesday morning the 22nd, it’s cross-on and choppy with a 7ft swell. Thursday afternoon the 23rd gets big—10ft from the southwest—but the wind is howling onshore and it’s too big for this break. Friday the 24th is a monster, with a 12ft SSW swell and a very long 15-second period, but again, it’s predicted to be too big for Buffalo Bay. The combined energy is a massive 5089, but this is a beach-and-reef setup, so it’s more interesting for kite surfers than paddle surfers.

The surf settles around Saturday the 25th. Clean conditions, a 8ft to 8ft SSW swell, good 13-second period, and strong energy. Saturday morning and afternoon both look excellent for experienced surfers. Sunday the 26th brings glassy conditions again with a 6ft to 5ft southwest swell, and the energy is moderate (947). That’s a solid, clean day for those who can handle the inconsistency.

We hit a rough patch from the 27th to the 29th. Strong winds, poor conditions, and the surf is blown out. It’s a dead zone. Then we get a decent run starting Tuesday the 28th, but it’s still marginal. The next real highlight is Wednesday the 29th. A 8ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and clean cross-off winds. The energy is strong (2531). That’s a good day for experienced surfers, but it’s a week away, so keep your fingers crossed.

Thursday the 30th afternoon is another glassy moment with a 6ft southwest swell and 12-second period. Energy is moderate (1006). Clean and fun. The rest of the window into August is a washout—very poor conditions with strong onshore winds and dropping swell heights. The last shot is on the 4th of August, a Tuesday morning: glassy, a 8ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and strong energy (2696). That’s a promising long-range call, but it’s nearly two weeks out, so don’t book your flights yet.

Overall, the best on offer is Tuesday morning the 21st. It’s glassy, the swell is a solid 6ft from the SSW, and the period is a proper 14 seconds. The crowds can show up here sometimes, so get there early. The setup is a deep-water reef, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. After that, Wednesday the 29th is another standout for experienced surfers. The rest is a game of patience.

Rusty.

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