Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 6,505 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bells Beach - Bowl in the next 16 days are 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break it down.
Water temp is 56°F, right on average for this time of year. The Bells Beach Bowl (reef and point) is all about SW swell, and that’s what we’ve got.
The run starts slow, but Saturday 22 August is the big one. Morning sees 13ft SW swell, 14‑second period, with a cross‑off wind at 16 mph. The energy is massive at 8452 – that’s serious. Afternoon stays 13ft SW, 8048 energy, still cross‑off. This is for experts only.
Sunday 23 August morning is a gem – 5ft SW, 14 seconds, light offshore at 6 mph, energy at 1193. Clean and excellent for experienced surfers. Afternoon holds 5ft SW, 16 seconds, with a light cross‑off.
Monday 24 August is smaller, 4ft SSW, but still rideable. Tuesday 25 August morning has light rain and a 4ft SW swell, light offshore – very good.
Wednesday 26 August morning jumps to 10ft SW, 11 seconds, cross‑off, energy 3134 – powerful but a bit short period. Afternoon is cross‑shore and messy.
Thursday 27 Friday 28 August are small but with good offshore winds. The weekend of 29‑30 August is a washout – rain, fresh cross‑onshore winds, poor surf.
Monday 31 August sees 4ft SW, 14‑15 seconds, light cross‑off, energy 924 to 1226 – excellent for experienced surfers in the afternoon. Tuesday 1 September is similar, 5ft SW, 16 seconds, light cross‑off. Wednesday 2 September is very good with gentle offshore.
Thursday 3 September is small and windy. Friday 4 September is a late standout – 6ft SW, 16 seconds, gentle offshore in the morning (2787 energy), moderate offshore in the afternoon (2327 energy). Both are excellent for experienced surfers.
Saturday 5 September morning has 7ft SSW, 17 seconds, with a fresh offshore – energy 2495, clean but windy. Afternoon drops to 6ft SW, 16 seconds, gentle cross‑off – still excellent.
The standout is Saturday 22 August – 13ft SW, huge energy, clean. Only for experts. Sunday 23 August and Friday 4 September are also top picks for the experienced crew.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
273 | 194 | 675 | 6505 | 6115 | 1426 | 877 | 1101 | 780 | 545 | 268 | 321 | 540 | 495 | 4158 | 2316 | 2174 | 140 | 167 | 72 | 526 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 4:50PM1.71m | 6:00AM1.66m | 5:19PM1.62m | 6:47AM1.56m | 5:50PM1.52m | 7:46AM1.48m | 6:27PM1.43m | 9:06AM1.44m | 7:25PM1.34m | 10:33AM1.47m | 9:05PM1.28m | 11:36AM1.55m | 10:46PM1.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:06AM0.74m | 11:24PM0.30m | 11:40AM0.86m | 00:01AM0.39m | 12:19PM0.97m | 00:44AM0.47m | 1:11PM1.07m | 1:38AM0.55m | 2:36PM1.14m | 2:51AM0.60m | 4:31PM1.11m | 4:11AM0.61m | 5:46PM1.00m | ||||||||
7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 19 |
273 | 167 | 675 | 1925 | 1888 | 1426 | 877 | 1101 | 780 | 545 | 268 | 321 | 540 | 495 | 266 | 649 | 346 | 140 | 167 | 65 | 526 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | SW 18 | SW 8 | SW 24 | SSW 22 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | S 14 | W 21 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 10 |
16 | 194 | 45 | 22 | 45 | 134 | 316 | 443 | 33 | 9 | 75 | 12 | 281 | 95 | 285 | 169 | 92 | 85 | 75 | 72 | 77 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SW 6 | — | — | — | SSW 16 | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | — | — | E 4 | SSW 12 | — | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 8 | SW 14 |
60 | 13 | — | — | — | 80 | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | 1 | 14 | — | 49 | 34 | 6 | 18 | 116 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | — | WNW 3 | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | NE 3 | NE 3 | WSW 6 | SW 14 | SW 11 | SW 13 | — | NNW 2 | — | — |
93 | — | 2 | 6505 | 6115 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 164 | 4158 | 2316 | 2174 | — | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 230 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











