Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 5,571 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period with SSW 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 22s. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, legends. Rusty here, and I’ve got a ripper of a look ahead for the next 16 days. The backbone of this forecast is a solid run of south-west groundswell, and Bells is poised to dish up some absolute gems. The water is sitting at 56.7°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The action kicks off on Saturday, 29 August, but the afternoon session is a bit of a write-off – cross-on southerly wind at 9 mph and a 3.6 ft swell from the SW with period of 14 seconds. The combined swell energy is weak at 581, so it’s a pass for me. Hold out for Sunday the 30th. The morning is where it starts to get interesting: a 4.6 ft SSW swell (13-second period, 795 energy) with a slight cross-off westerly breeze at 6 mph. It’s clean, but still building. The real standout is Monday, 31 August. Morning has a 4.6 ft SW swell (15-second period, 1069 energy) with a light offshore north-westerly at 3 mph. That’s clean, lined-up, and for the experienced crew. The afternoon glass off with a 4.6 ft SW swell (15-second period, 1190 energy) and a dead calm sea breeze – this is the pick of the first week. Long period groundswell, clean, and the energy is moderate. Crowds are possible at Bells, so get in early.
Tuesday, 1 September, drops off with a 3.9 ft SW swell (16-second period, 702 energy) and a moderate cross-off north-north-west wind at 16 mph. It’s clean but on the smaller side. Wednesday, 2 September, builds again. The afternoon session is a cracker: 5.2 ft SW swell (16-second period, 1314 energy) with a moderate offshore north-westerly at 12 mph. That’s solid, clean, and for the experienced surfers. Thursday, 3 September, is a mixed bag. The morning has a 5.6 ft SW swell (14-second period, 1179 energy) with a cross-off westerly at 16 mph, but it’s affected by rain showers. The afternoon, though, is a big one – a 13.1 ft SW swell (14-second period, 7092 energy) with a cross-off westerly at 16 mph. That’s a massive jump in energy, but it’s marginal for tide and wind. This is for experts only, and it’s looking like a big, powerful day.
Friday, 4 September, eases off. Morning has a 6.2 ft SW swell (15-second period, 1446 energy) with a light cross-off north-north-west wind at 6 mph. Clean and solid. The afternoon drops to 5.2 ft SW (15-second period, 1124 energy) with a gentle 9 mph breeze. Saturday, 5 September, is messy. The morning has a 5.2 ft SW swell (15-second period, 1036 energy) but a fresh cross-off westerly at 22 mph. The afternoon blows up to 11.5 ft SW (12-second period, 5008 energy) with a strong cross-off westerly at 25 mph. That’s a lot of wind and swell, making it more of a kite-surfing zone than a paddle session. Sunday, 6 September, is back to clean. The morning has a 5.9 ft SW swell (15-second period, 1399 energy) with a moderate offshore north-westerly at 12 mph. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers.
Now for the second week, and it’s a bit of a rollercoaster. Monday, 7 September, morning has a 5.2 ft SW swell (14-second period, 1418 energy) with a moderate offshore north-westerly at 12 mph. Clean. But the afternoon is a write-off – a 13.1 ft WSW swell (16-second period, 12197 energy) with a near gale cross-shore from the SSW at 31 mph. That’s dangerous and messy. Tuesday, 8 September, morning is
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
521 | 465 | 669 | 845 | 895 | 869 | 881 | 1255 | 702 | 429 | 341 | 865 | 1314 | 1460 | 1179 | 5571 | 1956 | 1446 | 1124 | 685 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:11AM1.96m | 3:49PM1.84m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:05AM0.60m | 10:18PM0.05m | |||||||
— | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 19 |
Temp °C | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
521 | 465 | 669 | 845 | 895 | 869 | 881 | 1255 | 702 | 429 | 341 | 865 | 1314 | 1460 | 1179 | 1521 | 1956 | 1446 | 1124 | 685 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | SW 22 | SW 20 | SSW 20 | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | S 15 | SW 18 | — | — | SSW 15 | — | — | S 15 | — | — | S 15 |
2 | 18 | 60 | 39 | — | 138 | 275 | 844 | — | 19 | 150 | — | — | 78 | — | — | 74 | — | — | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 23 | — | S 14 | — | — | SSW 14 | S 14 | — | — | — | S 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
11 | — | 66 | — | — | 62 | 34 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | — | — | SW 5 | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NW 4 | NW 3 | — | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | SW 14 | — | — | NNW 3 | N 4 |
49 | — | — | 41 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 16 | 3 | — | 7 | 4 | 3 | 5571 | — | — | 9 | 19 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 394 | 394 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 32 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
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.











