Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here, lookin' at the next 16 days for our patch. We've got a solid run of groundswell on the way, but it's a bit of a mixed bag with the wind.

Alright, let's get into it. The standout is Bells Beach - Bowl (Victoria, Australia). It's a classic reef and point setup, consistent, and it handles a SW swell like a champ. The water temp is sittin' at 57°, which is pretty much what you'd expect for this time of year.

We kick off Monday the 13th, but honestly, that first day is a write-off. We've got a 8ft SW swell, 16-second period, and a massive 2481 (moderate wave energy) on offer, but that 35 km/h NW wind is gonna make it a real battle. It's fresh, clean, but too strong to be any fun. The afternoon doesn't look any better with a cross-off wind.

Tuesday the 14th is more of the same. The swell is still solid at 8ft from the SW, period at 16 seconds (2868 energy), but that 25 km/h W wind is still makin' it a cross-off mess. This swell is pushin' hard, but it ain't gonna be pretty.

Now, Wednesday the 15th is where things start to look up. The swell drops to a more manageable 6ft from the SW, 15-second period (1237 energy). The wind drops to a gentle 15 km/h cross-off from the WNW, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a solid call for anyone who's comfortable in a powerful, long-period point break. The wave comment says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers," and I'm feelin' that.

Thursday the 16th keeps the good vibes. The swell is 6ft from the SW, 15-second period (1462 energy), and the wind is a super light 5 km/h cross-off from the SW. It's clean, it's got shape, and it's a ripper for the advanced crew. The afternoon turns a bit onshore, so the morning is the go.

But the absolute jewel in the crown is Friday the 17th. We've got a 5ft SW swell, a 17-second period (1470 energy), and the wind? Flat. Glass. 5 km/h from the NE. The afternoon is described as "glassy." That's the word. Glassy. The wave comment says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers," and with that period and zero wind, the waves are gonna be long, clean, and powerful. This is the pick of the first week. The crowds can be "sometimes" an issue, but for a session like that, it's worth the company.

The swell starts to fade over the weekend. Saturday the 18th has a 3ft SW swell, 14-second period, and glassy conditions in the afternoon, but it's small. Sunday the 19th is down to 2ft and 12-second period. It's a gap.

The following week is a bit of a wait. Monday the 20th to Wednesday the 22nd sees small waves and buildin' wind. Nothin' to write home about. Thursday the 23rd is a weird one – a tiny 2ft swell with a 21-second period (375 energy). That's a lot of period for a tiny wave, it'll be a long wait between sets.

Then, just when you think it's done, it fires back up. Friday the 24th of July is a massive day. The forecast shows a 7ft SW swell, 18-second period, 2764 energy, and a light 10 km/h offshore from the NNW. The wave comment says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That is a serious groundswell. For a point break like Bells, that long period is perfect. It's a big day, so it's for the experts only. The afternoon has a cross-shore wind, so nail the morning session.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th hang on. Saturday afternoon has a 5ft SW swell, 15-second period, and clean conditions. Sunday the 26th has a 6-6ft SSW swell, with a 20-25 km/h offshore from the WNW. That's "moderate offshore and clean" – a proper surfer's wind. Energy is high at 1682. This is another solid weekend window.

The last couple of days, Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th, the swell drops off again, but the wind stays offshore. Tuesday the 28th has a 5ft SSW swell, 15-second period, with a 25 km/h offshore from the NW. It's "moderate offshore and clean," so for the last day of the forecast, it's a decent session.

So, to sum it up: the standouts are Friday the 17th for the glassy perfection, and Friday the 24th of July for the big, powerful groundswell. The Wednesday the 15th and the weekend of the 25th/26th are also very solid. There's a lull from the 19th to the 23rd, but it's a short one. This is a great run for a spot that knows how to handle a SW swell.

Rusty.

Read more