Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s coming for Bells Beach – Bowl over the next couple weeks. It’s a reef and point break, exposed to the SW, and when it’s on, it’s a classic. Water temp is about 57°F, which is right where it should be for this time of year – nothing unusual.

The first few days are pretty slow. Monday the 3rd has some waist-high SW swell, around 4ft, with a 15-second period – so there’s some groundswell in the water. Wind is offshore from the WNW in the morning, but it’s a moderate breeze, and the combined energy is only 817 – weak to moderate. It’s rideable but nothing to write home about.

Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th stay in the 4ft to 6ft range, with the period dropping from 12 down to 9 seconds. Energy picks up a bit Wednesday afternoon to 1430 (moderate), but the wind is cross-off and we’ve got light rain. Very average. Thursday the 6th cleans right up with gentle offshore NW wind and a long 16-second period, but the swell drops to 2ft – tiny and clean, energy only 210. Friday the 7th is the highlight of the first week: 3ft of SW groundswell, 16-second period, and the afternoon goes dead glassy with zero wind. Energy is 675 (moderate), and the conditions are very good. Grab a log or a mid-length – Friday afternoon is your window.

Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th are poor. Swell stays small, and Sunday the wind hits 22 mph from the north, making a mess. Scores go to zero.

Now, Monday the 10th gets serious. Morning brings 10ft of SW groundswell, 16-second period, energy 4076 (strong). Then Monday afternoon hits 20ft from the WSW, 16 seconds, and an insane 24254 energy – that’s very strong. Wind is offshore light from the WNW. But 20ft at Bells is too big – it’s a warning for experts only, and even then, it might be unsurfable. The score reflects perfect conditions, but the swell is just too massive.

Tuesday the 11th drops to 8ft, 16-second period, energy 3260 (strong), with gentle offshore WNW wind. That’s excellent for experienced surfers – over 8ft is expert territory. The Bowl can get crowded sometimes, so expect company. Wednesday the 12th is 4ft but with a fresh 19 mph offshore wind – okay, but not special.

Thursday the 13th brings another big one: 18ft from the WSW in the morning, 15-second period, energy 14790 (very strong). Cross-shore wind from the SW will put some chop on it. Too big for most. The true standout is Friday morning, August 14: 10ft from the SSW, a very long 19-second period, energy 5629 (strong), with light offshore WNW wind. That is exceptional for experts – clean, powerful, and a proper Bells day. The long period might make it a bit straight at the Bowl, but the reef will handle it.

Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th are more manageable – 6ft and then 5ft, with 16-second periods. Saturday morning has light offshore NW wind, clean, energy 1434 (moderate). Good for confident intermediates. By Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th, it drops to 3ft or less, but the wind stays clean and offshore on Tuesday – fun small-wave cruising.

Best bets: Friday afternoon, August 7 for glassy, small waves, and Friday morning, August 14 for big, clean, long-period groundswell for the experts. Everything else is either too small, too big, or too windy to get amped about.

Rusty.

Read more