Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way.

We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, but it’s not all plain sailing. The first few days are small and average, then we get a proper pulse of hefty, long-period groundswell that’ll have the advanced crew buzzing. The standout is Friday the 24th, but it’s big – only for the experts. After that, the swell backs off and we get some glassy, smaller days that are pure joy for those who know the break.

Right now, Wednesday morning the 22nd is tiny with 2ft SW swell and a moderate offshore breeze out of the WNW. The combined energy is weak at 178, so it’s really just a warm-up. Not worth getting wet for unless you’re desperate.

Wednesday afternoon the 22nd stays small (3ft SW) with a cross-off wind, but the energy creeps up to 239. Still very ordinary.

Thursday morning the 23rd sees a big jump to 12ft SW swell, period 14 seconds, and combined energy of 6575 – that’s strong. The wind is cross-off from the W at 20 km/h, so it’s clean but raw. This is advanced territory. Afternoon holds 10ft SW with a fresh breeze out of the W (30 km/h) and energy at 5176. Still clean, but windy.

Friday morning the 24th is the standout of the whole outlook. The Bowl (Bells Beach) is pumping with 13ft SW swell, a very long 15-second period, and a massive combined energy of 10535. The wind is a moderate breeze from the WNW, cross-off, keeping it clean. This is only for experts – over 8ft is too big for beginners. The long period (15 seconds) means these are groundswell lines, grinding down the reef. Expect crowds to be possible, as this is Bells after all. The swell direction is SW, matching the optimum direction, so it’ll be lining up perfectly. Afternoon eases to 8ft from the SSW, still big but with a fresher WNW wind at 30 km/h.

Saturday the 25th remains solid with 12ft SW in the morning (energy 4596) and 10ft SW in the afternoon (energy 3716), both with cross-off winds. Still expert territory.

Sunday the 26th drops back to 4ft SSW in the morning with a gentle cross-off breeze, and then the afternoon turns glassy – 3ft SSW, zero wind, combined energy 253. That’s a beautiful, clean, small wave window for the crew who can work it.

Monday the 27th is small again: 3ft SW with a gentle offshore from the NW in the morning, and 3ft SW in the afternoon. Gentle offshore and clean, but weak.

Tuesday the 28th morning is a treat: 4ft SSW swell, 14-second period, glassy conditions with a 5 km/h NW breeze, and combined energy 1325. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon turns cross-on with a 8ft SSW swell, but the wind from the ESE messes it up.

Wednesday the 29th morning is glassy again: 5ft SW, 14-second period, energy 1286, and a light NE breeze. Excellent for experienced surfers. Afternoon gets cross-on and messy.

Thursday the 30th morning is perfectly glassy – 4ft SSW, 13-second period, zero wind, energy 541. Expect very good surf conditions. Afternoon goes cross-on again.

Friday the 31st morning has a 4ft SSW swell with an 18-second period – that’s very long period groundswell – energy 1219, but a cross-on breeze from the ENE. It’s marginal. Afternoon is cross-shore with a 5ft SW swell.

Saturday the 1st of August is small: 3ft SW in the morning with a cross-off breeze, clean, but the afternoon is poor with cross-on wind.

From Sunday the 2nd of August through to Thursday the 6th of August, the surf drops right off – 1ft to 3ft, with weak energy between 73 and 411. The wind goes offshore or cross-off, but there’s just not enough swell. A few days of clean, tiny waves, but nothing to get excited about.

Water temperature is about average for the time of year.

So, the best bet is Friday morning the 24th of July at Bells Beach – Bowl. Massive 13ft SW groundswell, 15-second periods, cross-off wind, clean and powerful. Not for the faint-hearted. If you want something smaller and glassy, Tuesday morning the 28th or Wednesday morning the 29th are your picks.

Rusty.

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