Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 22 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
13.5°C
0.6° 

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 22 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s period, SW swell with 1,972 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 20s. 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 2.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sun 23rd Aug)6ft (1.8m) 14s
Best Surf 4AM (Sun 23rd Aug)6ft (1.8m) 14s
Most Powerful 1PM (Wed 26th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s get into what’s on the menu at Bells Beach.

Alright, we’ve got a solid run of swell coming through for the Bowl over the next couple of weeks. The pattern kicks off Sunday the 23rd of August and there’s plenty to keep an eye on, especially for the crew who know how to handle a reef and point setup. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary there.

Sunday morning the 23rd is a ripper start – 4.9ft of clean SW groundswell with a long 14-second period and light offshore NW wind. The combined energy is strong (1218), and conditions are glassy. This is a standout session for experienced surfers. Sunday afternoon holds with 5.2ft, even longer 16-second period, and light cross-off wind. Energy jumps to 1735. This is top shelf.

Monday the 24th drops a touch – 3.9ft SSW groundswell in the morning, 14-second period, light cross-off. Energy drops to 554 but still clean. Afternoon similar with 3.6ft SW swell.

Tuesday the 25th is a beauty – morning glass-off with ESE wind at just 5 km/h, 3.9ft SW groundswell, 13-second period. Energy is moderate at 804. The surface will be like glass. Afternoon stays clean with a light cross-off.

Wednesday the 26th sees a jump in size but a drop in quality. Morning has 5.9ft of short-period SW swell at 8 seconds, energy moderate at 782. Afternoon gets messy – 7.9ft SW swell, 13-second period, moderate cross-shore wind, energy strong at 2290. This one’s more for the experienced lot, but the chop will make it a handful.

Thursday the 27th fades right back – 2.6ft SSW swell in the morning, 11-second period, light offshore. Energy weak at 202. Afternoon even smaller at 2.3ft. Not much to write home about.

Friday the 28th brings a proper long-period groundswell – 4.3ft SW swell at 18 seconds in the morning, clean with a light cross-off. Energy is strong at 1087. This is another standout for the experienced crew. Afternoon goes cross-on with 4.3ft, 17-second period – still decent but the wind spoils it a bit.

Saturday the 29th is clean but smaller – 3.6ft SW groundswell, 14-second period, light cross-off in the morning. Energy moderate at 486. Afternoon drops to 2.6ft with cross-on wind.

Sunday the 30th morning is a cracker – 3.6ft SSW groundswell at a very long 18 seconds, light offshore. Energy is strong at 1605. This will be lined up and clean. Afternoon jumps to 7.5ft SSW groundswell, 16-second period, but the cross-on wind brings some ripple.

Monday the 31st morning is a standout – 5.9ft SW groundswell at 15 seconds, light offshore NW wind. Energy strong at 1580. Clean and powerful. Afternoon holds with 5.2ft SW, 16-second period, light cross-off. Energy 1239. Both sessions are excellent for experienced surfers.

Tuesday the 1st of September is a mixed bag – morning has 4.3ft SW groundswell, 16-second period, fresh offshore NW wind at 35 km/h. Energy strong at 1241, but that wind is howling. Afternoon similar with 5.2ft, 15-second period, fresh offshore. The swell’s there but the wind is strong.

Wednesday the 2nd – morning has 3.6ft SW groundswell, 12-second period, clean with light cross-off. Energy moderate at 697. Afternoon jumps to 8.2ft SW groundswell at 14 seconds, fresh offshore NW wind at 30 km/h. Energy very strong at 3291. That’s a big, clean swell but only for experts.

Thursday the 3rd – morning 6.2ft SW groundswell, 12-second period, fresh offshore. Energy strong at 1026. Afternoon 7.9ft SW, 14-second period, fresh cross-off. Energy 2296. Both are clean but big.

Friday the 4th – morning 8.2ft SW groundswell at a long 17 seconds, moderate cross-off. Energy very strong at 3967. Afternoon 7.2ft SW, 16-second period, clean with gentle cross-off. Energy 2233. This is a massive, clean swell – experts only.

Saturday the 5th drops back – morning 4.6ft SW groundswell, 14-second period, moderate offshore. Energy moderate at 777. Afternoon 4.3ft SW, 13-second period, moderate offshore. Energy 560. Clean and much more manageable.

Sunday the 6th fades – morning 3ft SW groundswell, 14-second period, moderate cross-off. Energy weak at 304. Afternoon 2.6

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
3
4
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
SW
15
1.5
SW
14
1.6
SW
16
1.4
SSW
15
1.2
SSW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
0.8
SW
14
1.8
SW
8
2.4
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.8
SSW
11
0.3
SW
22
0.8
SW
19
1.3
SW
18
1.3
SW
17
1.1
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1576
877
1224
863
545
450
370
509
376
251
423
1912
166
133
75
531
1087
886
627
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
10
NW
10
W
10
NNW
15
NNW
10
N
10
NNE
5
ESE
10
WSW
15
W
15
WSW
20
SW
10
WNW
15
WNW
10
WNW
15
WNW
15
WNW
10
S
10
SW
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
High Tide
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
12:19PM1.63m
11:57PM1.42m
Low Tide
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
5:20AM0.57m
6:30PM0.86m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
mod rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
6:56
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
 mm
8
6
Temp °C
10
13
16
13
17
17
14
12
13
11
13
13
10
14
16
13
13
12
12
Feels °C
7
10
13
10
14
14
13
10
12
7
8
8
8
11
13
11
10
10
10
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  • 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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