Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
13.6°C
0.6° 

Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, SSW swell with 5,811 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bells Beach - Bowl this week:

The surf forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Bells Beach - Bowl in the next 16 days are 3.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Thu 10th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 17s
Best Surf 7AM (Thu 10th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 17s
Most Powerful 1PM (Wed 9th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 19s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Looks like the next couple of weeks are goin’ to be a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s some real gems hidden in there if you’re patient. We’ve got a bit of a slow start before the juice really starts to flow.

Right now, Tuesday afternoon, the swell’s just under 4.9 ft out of the SW and the water temp’s sitting at 56.5°F which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year. The energy’s moderate (1090), but a 15 km/h cross-shore from the SSW is putting a bit of a chop on the surface, so nothin’ to get too excited about.

Wednesday the 9th gets a bit of a spike, but the wind’s crankin’ up to 30 km/h from the SSW, cross-on, and it’s lumpy. The swell’s pushin’ 8.2 ft, then 11.5 ft, with a solid 18-second period – that’s a proper groundswell – but combined energy’s through the roof (4620 and 12766), and with that wind, it’s a mess. This one’s for the experts only, if they’re desperate.

Thursday the 10th is similar, 8.2 ft and 7.5 ft of SW swell, but the wind’s still cross-on and choppy. Nothin’ to write home about.

Now, Friday the 11th morning is where we start to see a bit of a window. The swell drops to a clean 5.2 ft from the SSW, period 14 seconds, and the wind’s glassy – not a breath. That’s a proper little session for the experienced crew. The energy’s still moderate (1072), but the conditions are spot on. Bells Beach - Bowl is a reef and point break, so that long period will wrap in nicely.

Saturday the 12th is an absolute gem. Morning sees 5.2 ft of SW swell under a light cross-off from the N, and it’s clean. The afternoon’s even better, 4.9 ft of SW swell, period 15 seconds, and an offshore breeze from the NW at only 5 km/h. Clean as a whistle. The combined energy (1006 and 1182) is moderate, but the quality is there. This is a standout day.

The weekend just keeps on giving. Sunday the 13th morning, swell drops to 3.6 ft from the SW, but a 15 km/h cross-off from the NNW keeps it clean. The energy’s weakin’ (617), but it’s still a fun little wave.

We hit a flat spell from Monday the 14th through Tuesday the 15th, with swell droppin’ below 3 ft and the wind not helpin’. A couple of days to sit out.

Wednesday the 16th morning, we’re back in business. The swell’s 5.2 ft from the SW, period 16 seconds, and it’s glassy again. The energy’s moderate (1255), and the conditions are excellent for those who know what they’re doin’.

Thursday the 17th is another beauty. The swell’s 4.6 ft from the SW, period 15 and 14 seconds, and it’s glassy all day. The energies are 791 and 742 – weak to moderate, but with that offshore wind, it’ll be a ripper.

Friday the 18th sees a jump in swell, with 6.6 ft and 5.2 ft from the SSW and SW, but the wind’s a fresh 30 km/h offshore from the NW. That’s a solid offshore, clean, but it’ll be a bit of a battle. The energy’s moderate to strong (1832 and 1045). Still a good call for the more experienced.

Saturday the 19th is the real standout of the second week. The swell’s 7.9 ft from the SW, period 14 seconds, and then 6.9 ft from the SW, period 15 seconds. The wind’s a gentle cross-off from the NNW, then a moderate offshore from the NW. Both are clean. The energy’s strong (2265 and 1801). This is the one to circle on the calendar.

Sunday the 20th, the swell drops right back to 3.6 ft and 4.3 ft, clean but weak. A bit of a breather.

Monday the 21st brings a massive groundswell. The swell’s 7.2 ft and 9.8 ft from the SW, with a very long 19-second period. The energy’s very strong (5703 and 5281), but the wind’s a fresh 30 km/h cross-off from the WSW. That’s a lot of water movin’ fast. It’s a tricky one – the long period will be better at a point break like Bells, but the size is only for the experts.

Tuesday the 22nd morning is the absolute

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Tue night, calm by Thu night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
7
0
3
4
3
1
4
3
3
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
0
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
SW
16
2.5
SSW
16
3
SSW
18
3
SSW
17
2.5
SSW
16
2.2
SSW
16
1.8
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
15
1.8
SSW
16
2
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
15
1.5
SW
15
1.3
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SW
15
0.8
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
1
WSW
7
1.9
SW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
5577
2887
4987
5177
3506
2389
1447
1087
1608
1928
1271
1019
803
581
331
251
144
93
542
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
30
SSW
30
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
20
SSW
10
WSW
5
SSW
10
SSE
5
N
10
N
5
N
10
NNW
15
N
20
NNW
15
NW
20
W
20
WSW
15
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
9:09AM1.59m
8:32PM1.49m
10:28AM1.62m
10:16PM1.52m
11:30AM1.68m
11:38PM1.64m
12:19PM1.75m
00:41AM1.78m
1:01PM1.80m
1:32AM1.89m
1:38PM1.84m
2:15AM1.97m
Low Tide
2:00AM0.37m
3:00PM0.97m
3:26AM0.45m
4:31PM0.86m
4:50AM0.47m
5:39PM0.68m
5:58AM0.45m
6:31PM0.49m
6:52AM0.44m
7:14PM0.33m
7:38AM0.43m
7:53PM0.21m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:31
6:31
6:28
6:28
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:08
6:09
6:10
 mm
Temp °C
11
11
11
10
12
12
11
14
13
11
19
21
16
22
23
21
18
18
11
Feels °C
3
3
4
5
8
7
9
11
10
9
17
19
14
18
19
17
13
13
7
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  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Bells Beach - Bowl Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Bells Beach - Bowl provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bells Beach - Bowl can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Bells Beach - Bowl) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Bells Beach - Bowl is 26 km (16 miles) from the city of Geelong. If you plan a holiday in Torquay, look for hotels and other accommodation in Geelong. Geelong has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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