Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 28 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
13.4°C
0.4° 

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 28 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 16s period, SW swell with 2,529 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period with SW 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. 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 2.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sat 29th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s
Best Surf10AM (Mon 31st Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 14s
Most Powerful 4PM (Fri 4th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line. We’ve got a classic stretch of groundswell with the odd bit of weather to manage. Bells Beach – Bowl (Treasure Coast) is the main stage for this fortnight.

We kick off Saturday the 29th of August with a nice clean signal. The morning delivers a 4ft SW swell, period a solid 14 seconds, and with the wind coming from the WNW at only 3 mph, it’s cross-offshore, keeping the face of that reef-and-point setup tidy. Wave energy is moderate at 466, nothing too pumping, but the bowl will have some shape. The afternoon, though, gets a bit messy with a building 7ft SW swell but a strong S wind at 9 mph swinging cross-on, making it choppy.

Sunday the 30th starts much better: a 5ft SSW swell at 13 seconds, cross-offshore W wind at 6 mph, and clean conditions. The energy steps up to 835, getting more push. But again, the afternoon turns ugly with an 8ft lumpy cross-on and S wind. That’s getting too big for the average punter and the surface will be junk.

Monday the 31st is your first real standout. Morning has a 5ft SW swell, 14 seconds, with a perfect 3 mph NNW offshore wind. It’s clean. The bowl will be holding that long-period groundswell well—this is a reef, so it’ll handle the 14-second interval just fine. Wave energy is a solid 1011. The afternoon is even glassier with 3 mph SSE wind and a 4ft SSW swell, but the tide might be tweaky. Honestly, Monday morning is the best paddle of the first week.

Tuesday the 1st of September morning stays clean with a 5ft SW swell and a 16-second period (that’s proper energy), but the wind is stronger at 12 mph from the NNW—still cross-off, but it’s a moderate breeze. Wave energy is 871. Still good for experienced surfers, but the wind is a little lumpy under the breeze.

Wednesday the 2nd has a few options. Morning is a bit meh with 4ft SW swell and cross-off W wind, but the afternoon is the pick: 5ft SW swell, 15 seconds, and a light 6 mph WSW cross-off. Energy climbs to 923. That’s a very good session.

Thursday the 3rd morning gets another big shout. A 5ft SW swell with a 15-second period and a proper 16 mph NW offshore wind. This is for the well-trained crew—5ft is a solid wave, and with that period and offshore howling, the bowl will be groomed. Energy is 1102. Strong, but manageable for advanced surfers.

Friday the 4th is a skip for the casual surfer. Morning is 6ft SW at 14 seconds, but the wind is WNW at 16 mph cross-off, not giving a clean face. Afternoon bumps to 8ft SW with a 16-second period and the same wind—energy hits 2608. That’s big and powerful. This is expert territory, and that long period will make it suck out on the reef. If you’re not experienced, stay on the sand.

Saturday the 5th of September morning is excellent for the good crew again: 5ft SW, 15 seconds, and a 16 mph NW offshore. Clean, powerful, wave energy of 1140. Afternoon drops to 5ft and energy of 940, still good but less punch.

Now we hit a quiet patch. Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th are both messy with strong wind and rain showers. Surf is small or blown out. Not worth the drive.

Tuesday the 8th morning returns with a 5ft SSW swell at 8 seconds—that’s short period, so the bowl won’t stand up as well. Wind is offshore from the WNW at 16 mph, so it’s clean, but short period limits quality.

Wednesday the 9th is a write-off. 7ft SSW at 9 seconds with a 22 mph cross-on wind from the SSW means poor, lumpy, dangerous conditions.

We get a few average days through to Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th—small swell, cross-off winds, but small and inconsistent.

Saturday the 12th is small and choppy.

Sunday the 13th of September is your standout near the end of the window. Morning brings a 6ft SW swell at a very long 16 seconds, with a 12 mph NW offshore wind. Wave energy is 1788—moderate-to-strong. The bowl will be working like clockwork for experienced surfers only. That period is long, and the reef will focus it beautifully. This is the one to circle on your calendar if you’re an advanced surfer.

Water temperature here is about average for the time of year, nothing out of the ordinary. Crowds at Bells can be around sometimes, so expect company on the good days.

Overall, the best on offer are Monday the 31st of August morning and Sunday the 13th of September morning. Everything else in between is a mix of good and average. The second week has smaller windows, so keep your expectations realistic.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
3
3
2
3
4
4
4
2
2
3
2
3
3
4
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SW
16
1.1
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.2
SSW
13
1.4
SSW
13
2.5
SW
13
1.5
SSW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SSW
14
1.6
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
1
SW
14
1.2
SW
15
1.4
SW
15
1.5
SW
14
1.6
SW
15
1.5
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
480
466
1811
465
669
2031
895
857
672
1255
871
558
393
674
879
915
1020
874
471
Wind (km/h)
10
W
5
WNW
15
S
5
W
10
W
15
S
5
WNW
5
NNW
5
SSE
10
NNW
20
NNW
25
NW
25
WNW
15
W
10
WSW
15
NW
25
NW
30
NW
25
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
11:57PM1.42m
12:53PM1.70m
00:50AM1.55m
1:23PM1.76m
1:34AM1.69m
1:52PM1.81m
2:14AM1.81m
2:20PM1.83m
2:52AM1.90m
2:48PM1.85m
3:31AM1.96m
3:17PM1.85m
Low Tide
6:15AM0.52m
7:03PM0.71m
7:00AM0.47m
7:34PM0.55m
7:40AM0.45m
8:04PM0.40m
8:17AM0.45m
8:34PM0.26m
8:53AM0.47m
9:06PM0.15m
9:29AM0.52m
9:40PM0.08m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
6:48
6:47
6:46
6:43
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:57
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
 mm
3
Temp °C
10
12
12
10
13
12
10
13
14
12
18
20
15
15
15
13
15
15
12
Feels °C
8
10
9
8
11
9
9
12
13
10
12
15
10
12
12
8
8
9
5
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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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