Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Buffalo Bay Wildside in feet and Fahrenheit.

The water’s a bit colder than average for this time of year — about 60°, running nearly 3° below normal — so a thicker wetsuit is a good idea.

We start off Friday morning, August 28, with some small surf. It’s about 4 ft from the S, period around 11 seconds, with moderate energy. The morning has a light 6 mph SW breeze, but it’s only marginal. The real winner Friday is the afternoon: the wind goes glassy, 3 mph from the S, and the swell cleans up nicely at 4 ft from the S. It’s not big, but it’ll be smooth as glass — perfect for a longboard or fun shape. That’s a standout to kick things off.

Saturday morning, August 29, gets messy. Wind picks up to 9 mph from the WSW, cross-onshore, and the swell drops to 3 ft from the S with moderate energy. The afternoon is weak — only 3 ft from the SSE with light cross-shore wind. Skip it.

Sunday morning, August 30, sees a bump: 6 ft from the SW, but cross-onshore wind from the W at 6 mph, period short at 9 seconds. Energy is moderate. Sunday afternoon is the real story: glassy wind from the SW, swell jumps to 7 ft from the SW with a 12-second period and strong energy. It’s too big for beginners but excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the second standout.

Monday, August 31, drops back. Morning has 5 ft from the SW with cross-onshore wind, choppy. Afternoon is onshore.

Tuesday, September 1, pushes up to 7 ft from the SW, period 12 seconds, strong energy, but onshore breeze.

Wednesday, September 2 — big stuff. A massive 13 ft swell from the SSW with a very long 17-second period, extreme energy. Wind is cross-offshore from the E at 6 mph, so it’s clean. But it’s way too big for Buffalo Bay Wildside — a beast only for experts, and that’s if you’re crazy. Same story Thursday afternoon with 12 ft and stronger wind.

Thursday, September 3, the swell drops to 8 ft from the SW, still cross-offshore from the ESE, but marginal and 25 mph wind in the afternoon — messy.

Friday, September 4, another big pulse: 12 ft from the ESE, 8-second period, strong energy, but 28 mph wind from the E — blown out and too big.

Saturday, September 5, 10 ft from the ESE, 10-second period, lighter offshore wind from the ENE. Still too big for most here.

Sunday, September 6, drops to 5 ft from the SSW, cross-onshore and choppy — poor.

Monday, September 7, we get a clean 7 ft from the ESE, 10-second period, light cross-offshore wind. Morning looks excellent for experienced surfers with strong energy. That’s a good option.

Tuesday, September 8, drops to 4 ft from the ESE, glassy morning — clean but small.

Wednesday and Thursday, September 9–10, are tiny and weak — under 4 ft, poor or marginal.

Friday, September 11, a pick-up: 7 ft from the SSW, cross-offshore wind, clean. Decent morning.

Saturday, September 12, last day — 7 ft from the ESE in the morning, then huge 13 ft from the S in the afternoon, glassy but way too big.

Best bets: Friday August 28 afternoon for clean small waves, Sunday August 30 afternoon for a bigger, punchy session for experienced surfers, and Monday September 7 morning. The rest is either too small, too windy, or too enormous.

Rusty.

Read more