Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, it’s Rusty. Bells Bowl’s got a proper feast-or-famine forecast for the next couple of weeks, so let’s get straight into it.

Overall, we’re looking at a slow start, but once the swell fills in properly towards the end of the first week, there’s some absolute gems lined up. The water’s at 57°F, which is about average for this time of year. Nothing weird there.

Sunday morning kicks off with a 4ft SW groundswell, with a solid 15-second period and moderate energy (509). That’s a long period, which is ideal for a reef and point like this. Problem is, the wind’s blowing a moderate 12 mph cross-off from the north, and combined with marginal tide conditions, it’s just not firing. Sunday afternoon drops a touch to 3ft, and it’s the same story.

Monday, both sessions are tiny – 2ft and 2ft – with clean conditions but no push. You’d be fighting for scraps.

Tuesday morning, things wake up. Swell jumps to 8ft from the WSW with an 11-second period, pumping some serious energy (2323). It’s a bit cross-off with a 16 mph breeze from the WSW, and conditions are described as marginal, but it’s definitely doable for strong intermediate to advanced surfers. The afternoon gets messy with rain showers and a fresh 22 mph cross-shore, so get it early.

Wednesday is all onshore, 7ft to 8ft with SSW swell and 15-second periods, but the wind is just junk. Choppy, cross-onshore. Hard pass.

Thursday clears up. Morning sees a 5ft SSW swell, 14-second period, moderate energy (1057) and a gentle cross-shore breeze. The surf’s a bit bumpy but it’s a big improvement. Afternoon stays similar but with more cross-on wind.

Friday, September 18th, is the standout of the first week, no question. Morning and afternoon both deliver: 5ft and 5ft of long-period SSW groundswell (18 seconds in the morning, 16 in the afternoon) with clean, moderate offshore winds from the NW. This is classic Bells Bowl, and it’s going to be epic. Wave energy is strong (2470 in the morning, 1927 in the afternoon). This is a proper point break session, and it’s one of the best on offer.

Saturday the 19th keeps the offshore flow, but the swell drops to 4ft and 4ft with shorter periods. Still fun and clean, just not as powerful.

Sunday the 20th is a write-off. Strong offshore winds up to 25 mph make paddling out a nightmare, even though the conditions are clean. Monday the 21st brings back some hope: 7ft SSW swell with 15-second periods, clean with light cross-off winds from the NE in the afternoon. That’s a good session.

Now, for the second week, the big one to watch is Tuesday, September 22nd. We’re looking at a massive 10ft SSW swell with an 18-second period, and the wave energy is absolutely pumping (6539). Winds are moderate from the WNW, so it’s clean. That’s big, heavy, and long-period – expert territory only. The afternoon shifts onshore, so get on it early.

Wednesday the 23rd through Thursday the 24th are dominated by onshore and cross-onshore winds, with a drop in swell size. Friday the 25th is marginal with a 5ft SW groundswell and 17-second period, but the cross-shore wind adds a bit of chop.

Saturday, September 26th, is another true standout. Morning sees an 12ft S swell, short 8-second period, but the wind is offshore and conditions are clean. The afternoon is even better: 10ft SSW swell, 10-second period, gentle offshore NW winds, and clean faces. This is for experienced surfers only – it’s big, but it’s going to be beautiful.

Sunday the 27th holds clean conditions with a 7ft S swell, but the period drops to 8 seconds. Still fun, but not the same quality as Saturday.

From Monday the 28th onward, the forecast turns onshore and choppy again, with dropping swell. The run ends cleanly enough, but you’ll want to have already been in the water.

So, for the absolute best on offer: Friday September 18th and Saturday September 26th. Those are your days.

Rusty, signing off.

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