Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Bells Beach – Bowl.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s a solid window of good surf opening up from Sunday morning. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing too wild on that front.

Sunday morning at Bells Beach – Bowl kicks things off with a clean 3ft SW swell, period of 14 seconds, and light cross-off wind from the west. The energy is moderate (583), and the conditions are looking very good – clean waves, nice shape. This is a standout for the early part of the forecast. Sunday afternoon sees the swell jump to 8ft, still SW, same long period, but the wind shifts to a cross-off from the WSW at 10 mph. The energy ramps up hard (2955), and while the size is pushing into experienced territory, the quality is excellent. This is a true highlight – clean, powerful, and proper.

Monday morning turns ugly: 2ft, cross wind from the SSW at 16 mph, short period of 7 seconds, and choppy. Monday afternoon is no better – 4ft, cross-on, same wind. Not worth it.

Tuesday morning brings a return to form: 3ft SW swell, 18-second period – that’s very long, groundswell – and light cross-off wind. The energy is moderate (1107), and the waves are clean. This is a classic Bells setup with long lines, but that long period might make it break a bit straight on the beach. Still, for a point and reef, it’s a beauty. Tuesday afternoon drops to 5ft, a bit smaller, with light cross-shore wind and marginal conditions.

Wednesday is a proper pulse: morning has 8ft SSW swell, 16-second period, but cross wind at 19 mph makes it lumpy. The energy is strong (4067). Wednesday afternoon, though, is a monster: 13ft SW swell, 18-second period, cross wind, and energy through the roof (14805). That’s very heavy, only for experts, and the wind is messy. Not ideal for paddling, but if you’re a charger, it’s a spectacle.

Thursday holds decent size: 8ft and 8ft, but cross winds and chop keep it from being clean. Friday morning is 5ft, 14-second period, light cross wind with small ripples – marginal but workable. Friday afternoon stays similar but with a cross-on breeze.

Now, Saturday morning, 12 September, is another standout: 5ft SSW swell, 15-second period, and light cross-off wind from the NNE. Clean conditions, excellent quality for experienced surfers. The energy is moderate (1119). Saturday afternoon fades a bit.

Sunday 13 September has small 3ft swell but with offshore wind in the afternoon – gentle offshore and clean. It’s a small wave day, but it’ll be fun.

Monday 14 September is a write-off – strong wind, small swell, just poor.

Tuesday 15 September brings back 8ft SW swell with moderate cross-off wind, but the quality is marginal. Wednesday 16 September has 5ft, clean in the morning, but the afternoon gets lumpy with 10ft swell and fresh cross wind.

Thursday 17 September is cross-on and choppy in the morning, slightly better in the afternoon. Friday 18 September has offshore wind but strong – 25 mph in the morning – making it hard to paddle into, but the afternoon is gentle offshore and clean with 3ft swell.

Saturday 19 September is small but clean: 2ft in the morning, then 3ft in the afternoon with moderate offshore wind and 19-second period – very long, clean waves. That’s a nice way to finish the run.

Sunday 20 September has 5ft SW swell, 16-second period, clean but cross-off wind. Monday 21 September is poor with cross-on wind.

Overall, the best on offer is Sunday afternoon, 6 September, with 8ft clean SW swell and long period, and Saturday morning, 12 September, with 5ft, clean, and light wind. Both are true standouts. The rest of the window has some good moments but nothing that tops those two.

This is a spot that does have crowds sometimes, so keep an eye out.

Rusty.

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