Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,394 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s is also forecast. 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 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here with a look at the surf comin’ up at Bells Beach – Bowl.
We’re startin’ off a little quiet. The first few days are pretty weak – small SW swell around 2ft, but the wind is blowin’ from the NE makin’ it messy. Not much to get excited about. Thursday morning the wind shifts offshore from the NW, but the swell is barely 1ft, so it’s still a bit of a snooze.
Now, the weekend is where the magic starts. On Saturday the 22nd of August, the swell jumps up to a solid 5ft from the SW, with a long 16-second period and the energy goin’ through the roof (1403 in the arvo). That’s a proper groundswell with real punch. The wind stays light from the W, keepin’ it clean. This is prime time for experienced surfers only – it’s gonna be powerful out there.
Sunday the 23rd keeps that quality rollin’. The swell sits around 5ft, still from the SW with that same long period. The mornin’ is crystal clear with a gentle offshore from the WNW – absolutely beautiful conditions for the Bowl. Saturday afternoon through Sunday is the best stretch of this whole 16-day window.
After that, the swell drops back to around 3ft to 4ft through Monday and Tuesday, with cross-off winds that are just fair. Then on Friday the 28th of August, we get another small pulse up to about 5ft, with light WNW wind in the mornin’. That 825 energy reading tells you it’s gonna be a good session if you can get out before the wind shifts later.
The water temp here is around 56°F, which is about average for this time of year – nothin’ unusual.
So here’s the bottom line: if you’re an advanced surfer, you circle Saturday arvo and Sunday on the calendar. That’s the one. Big SW swell, clean winds, and that classic Bells bowl shape. The rest of the window has a few decent moments, but nothin’ compares to that weekend.
Catch you out there,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Wed morning, light winds from the WNW by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 238 | 310 | 196 | 109 | 85 | 54 | 78 | 163 | 161 | 224 | 293 | 1017 | 1265 | 1317 | 1271 | 799 | 1001 | 406 | 529 | 390 | 418 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 3:19PM1.94m | 4:01AM1.89m | 3:51PM1.88m | 4:41AM1.83m | 4:21PM1.80m | 5:20AM1.75m | 4:50PM1.71m | 6:00AM1.66m | 5:19PM1.62m | 6:47AM1.56m | 5:50PM1.52m | 7:46AM1.48m | 6:27PM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:40PM0.15m | 9:56AM0.52m | 10:16PM0.17m | 10:31AM0.63m | 10:50PM0.22m | 11:06AM0.74m | 11:24PM0.30m | 11:40AM0.86m | 00:01AM0.39m | 12:19PM0.97m | 00:44AM0.47m | 1:11PM1.07m | 1:38AM0.55m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | |  | |  | |  | | |
 | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 31 | 310 | 196 | 109 | 85 | 54 | 69 | 163 | 161 | 224 | 293 | 1017 | 1265 | 1317 | 1271 | 799 | 1001 | 406 | 529 | 390 | 418 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | ESE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | E 8 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 18 | — | SW 24 | SSW 16 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 238 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 54 | 78 | 1 | 13 | 14 | 194 | — | 22 | 86 | 97 | 316 | 380 | 177 | 18 | 16 | 53 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SE 5 | S 16 | — | — | SE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | — | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | S 15 | S 18 | S 17 | — | SW 21 | NE 4 | — |
| kJ | 149 | 7 | 5 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 60 | — | — | — | — | 40 | 24 | 22 | — | 18 | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NW 2 | NW 2 | NW 2 | NW 2 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 4 | — |
| kJ | 3 | 5 | 4 | 47 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 8 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 19 | 41 | 155 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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