The 28-year-old scored a 9.77 with a couple of snaps before landing a reverse air on the backwash, comfortably winning the final heat of the day with a combined wave score of 16.34 (out of 20) from compatriot Stuart Kennedy.
The conditions were difficult and messy throughout the day and Wilson was pleased with his performance.
"I felt like I surfed a good heat and it was fun," Wilson said.
"That was a good wave and I was able to put an exclamation point on it, you know, it was good challenge."
It was a good day for the Australian contingent with Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Josh Kerr winning their heats, while world No.3 Owen Wright was pipped by Frenchman Jeremy Flores.
Also through to the third round are Adriano de Souza, reigning world champion John John Florence, Filipe Toledo and American youngster Kanoa Igarashi.
Local star and 2014 world champion Gabriel Medina suffered a surprise loss in the opening heat of the day to American Nat Young.
