Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 08 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
13.4° C
0.3° 

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 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 10,002 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 19s 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 19s period. 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 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 10PM. 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 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 10th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 19s
Best Surf 4AM (Thu 13th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 16s
Most Powerful10PM (Wed 12th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. Over the next 16 days, Bells is gonna be the main show, and it’s got a bit of everything—long-period groundswells, some clean windows, and a few sessions that’ll get the heart pumping.

We kick off on Saturday, August 8th, with a nice little 4 ft SW groundswell rolling in at 16 seconds—proper long-period energy. The water’s sitting at 56°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year. The wind is a gentle NNE breeze, cross-off, so the surface is clean. The combined energy is moderate (567), and it’s feeling good. Not a standout, but a solid start.

Sunday morning’s got a bit of swell but a stiff 35 km/h NNE wind bowls it over—only 2 ft and 14 seconds, with poor surf conditions. Not worth paddling out.

Now, Monday, August 10th is where things get interesting. The morning brings a 4 ft SW groundswell with a 19-second period—that’s a very long period, so this is proper groundswell. The wind is offshore from the NW at 15 km/h, and the combined energy pumps up to 1026 (strong energy). The bowl is a reef and point setup, so that long period will wrap in beautifully. This is one of the true standouts—clean, powerful, and for the experienced crew. Expect excellent surf.

The rest of that week sees the swell hanging around, but winds get messy. Tuesday morning stays clean with a 3 ft SW swell and 15-second period, but the energy drops to 491 (moderate). Not a standout but a good session for the keen.

Wednesday, August 12th pushes the swell to 6 ft in the morning, jumping to 8 ft by the afternoon with a massive combined energy of 5231 (very strong). That’s expert territory. The wind is cross-off, but the size and power mean it’s only for those who know what they’re doing. The afternoon is marginal due to size and wind.

Thursday, August 13th and Friday, August 14th keep the swell solid at 7 ft and 8 ft, respectively, with 16-second periods. Winds are light and cross-off, so the surface stays clean. The energy is strong (2000+). These are excellent for experienced surfers, but not for beginners.

Saturday, August 15th sees the swell drop to 5 ft with a 15-second period and a light 5 km/h WSW wind, cross-off. The combined energy is 1040 (strong), and conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is another standout—clean, manageable size, and the bowl will be working.

Sunday, August 16th through to the end of the forecast period, the swell backs off a bit. Sunday has onshore SE winds, so not great. But Monday, August 17th brings a glassy 4 ft SW swell at 14 seconds—dead calm, 5 km/h NNE wind, glassy conditions. Combined energy is 540 (moderate). A lovely clean session for a low-key surf.

The rest of the week sees small, clean waves in the 2 ft to 4 ft range, with light winds and cross-off conditions. Nothing huge, but for a longboard or a funboard, there are plenty of clean, user-friendly waves. Crowds are possible at the Bowl, but it’s a consistent spot, so you’ll find a peak.

The very end of the window, Sunday, August 23rd, has a fresh 35 km/h NNW wind and 4 ft swell—poor surf conditions, so not worth the drive.

Overall, the standout sessions are Monday, August 10th morning and Saturday, August 15th morning. Both have clean, offshore winds, strong groundswell, and that classic Bells power. The rest of the window is a mix of solid size for the brave and small clean waves for the relaxed surfer.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Sat morning, fresh winds from the NNE by Sun morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
1
0
0
1
4
1
2
2
1
1
2
4
4
3
3
4
3
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
16
1
SW
16
0.8
SW
14
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
1
SW
21
1.2
SW
19
1.2
SW
17
1.1
SW
16
0.9
SW
15
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
17
1.7
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.2
SW
15
2.2
SW
16
2.1
SW
16
2
SW
15
2.3
SW
16
2.1
SW
16
1.7
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
567
468
297
192
111
815
1026
861
555
355
536
737
1438
3376
2233
2352
2040
1741
2627
2040
1306
Wind (km/h)
15
NNE
20
NNE
20
NNE
35
NNE
35
NNE
20
NE
15
NW
35
SW
25
W
20
NW
25
NNW
30
NNW
25
WNW
30
WSW
20
WNW
20
WNW
20
WSW
15
WNW
15
W
15
WSW
10
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:24PM1.75m
7:02AM1.74m
6:09PM1.69m
8:12AM1.69m
7:06PM1.62m
9:32AM1.68m
8:25PM1.55m
10:50AM1.72m
9:59PM1.54m
11:54AM1.79m
11:28PM1.60m
12:46PM1.87m
00:40AM1.71m
Low Tide
11:46AM0.81m
00:11AM0.13m
12:38PM0.93m
1:07AM0.16m
1:45PM1.02m
2:14AM0.21m
3:11PM1.05m
3:33AM0.25m
4:42PM0.98m
4:51AM0.25m
5:55PM0.82m
6:01AM0.25m
6:53PM0.63m
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:13
7:11
7:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:44
 mm
4
5
1
14
1
3
1
Temp °C
16
15
12
10
12
11
10
14
12
12
12
11
12
12
10
14
15
12
14
13
12
Feels °C
12
10
7
2
5
6
6
8
6
6
6
4
5
6
5
9
11
9
9
9
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • 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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