Buffalo Bay Wildside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break it down.

Alright, Buffalo Bay Wildside has a real mixed bag over the next 16 days. The water’s sitting at 57° right now, which is a solid 6° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s an unusual chill to start the run. The swell energy is pumping through the period, with some serious numbers, but this spot is inconsistent and rarely breaks, so we’ve got to be patient.

The opening days are pretty average. Tuesday morning (18 August) has some 7ft SW swell at 13 seconds, but the cross-on wind and choppy surface make it a scratchy session. The combined energy is already strong at 1493, but it’s not clean. Afternoon improves a bit with lighter wind, but still cross-on. Wednesday and Thursday morning bump up to 8ft, and the energy keeps climbing, but the wind is messy or the swell gets too big for the break.

Now, Thursday 20 August morning is a real standout. We’ve got 12ft of SSW swell at 13 seconds, glassy conditions, and the energy is huge at 4109. That’s a powerful groundswell, but at this size, it’s definitely too big for beginners and only for experienced surfers. The swell direction matches the optimum SE, so it’s lining up well. The clean glassy surface will make it a spectacular session for those who can handle it.

Friday morning 21 August is another solid call. Swell drops to 7ft from the SW at 12 seconds, with light cross-off winds from the ESE and clean conditions. The energy is still strong at 1188, and it’s more manageable than Thursday. That’s a good window for intermediate surfers who want clean waves without the monstrous size.

The weekend rolls in with a mess. Saturday 22 August gets choppy and then howling onshore winds, so that’s a write-off. Sunday 23 August morning has 12ft SW swell at 13 seconds with glassy conditions again – huge energy at 3741 – but it’s too big for this break, and the afternoon is similarly oversized.

The second week stays up and down. Monday 24 August is small and marginal. Tuesday 25 August has 8ft SW swell at 14 seconds, but the wind is onshore. Wednesday 26 August switches to a shorter period ESE swell at 7ft, and the cross-off winds make for clean conditions. Not a huge standout, but a decent session for the experienced crew.

Thursday 27 August is poor with onshore winds. Friday 28 August afternoon brings a 8ft SW swell at 15 seconds, with light cross-off winds and clean surface. The energy is 2515, and that long period groundswell will shape up well, but it’s best for reef or point setups. The weekend (29–30 August) is mostly marginal, with a big 8ft SSW swell at 17 seconds on Sunday afternoon – energy at 4011 – but the wind is light cross-on, so it’s not clean.

Looking further ahead, Tuesday 1 September morning is a beauty. 8ft SW swell at 15 seconds, glassy calm, and the energy is 3103. That’s a long, powerful groundswell with perfect conditions. It’s excellent for experienced surfers, but the size and period might make it too straight for the beach break – still, the glassy surface is a dream. The afternoon gets too big again at 12ft.

Wednesday 2 September has more moderate energy at 2017, with 8ft SW swell, and the cross-off wind keeps it clean. A solid, but not epic, option.

The best of the whole run? Thursday 20 August morning, hands down. That glassy, powerful 12ft groundswell with perfect wind is a rare treat for the brave. Friday 21 August morning is a close second for cleaner, more manageable conditions. The long-range Tuesday 1 September morning is promising but less certain, so keep an eye on that one.

Rusty.

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