Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
13.5° C
0.5° 

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 20 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), 15s period, SW swell with 6,750 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s 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 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. 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 15s 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Fri 21st Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 16s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 21st Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 17s
Most Powerful10AM (Sat 22nd Aug)13ft (4.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the next couple of weeks at Bells Beach – Bowl. This is a reef and point break, so when it catches a proper SW groundswell with a long period, it’s world class. The outlook has a bit of everything, but one day is the clear winner.

Friday the 21st is a quiet start. We’ve got a tiny 3ft swell with a 15-second period, and a moderate cross-off breeze – not enough juice to bother with. The wave energy is weak (343). It’s a slow start, but don’t stress.

Then it goes off. Saturday the 22nd morning is the big one. A solid 13ft SW groundswell, 15-second period, and a clean offshore WNW breeze at 12 mph. The combined energy is pumping at 8628 – that’s serious power. This is expert-only territory – anything over 8ft is for the brave. The Bowl will be throwing big, heavy walls. This is the standout of the entire 16-day window.

Saturday afternoon holds the same 13ft swell, but the wind swings cross-shore from the SW at 12 mph, bringing a bit of chop. Still big, but not as clean.

Sunday the 23rd backs off but stays excellent. The morning sees a 5ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and a light offshore NW breeze at 9 mph. That’s a clean, manageable size for strong intermediates. The energy is moderate (1193). The afternoon stays clean with a 5ft swell and a light cross-off breeze.

The middle of the week gets messy. Monday the 24th drops to 4ft with weak energy (478) – not worth it. Tuesday the 25th brings a 4ft swell but with a S cross-on wind and rain, making it choppy. Wednesday the 26th has a 6ft short-period (8 seconds) bump from the SSW – chunky and sloppy with a cross-shore wind.

Thursday the 27th is a nice clean pocket. A 2ft to 3ft SW groundswell with a light cross-off breeze. Small but fun.

Friday the 28th is a write-off. Strong S cross-on winds at 18 to 22 mph will turn the 4ft swell into a lumpy mess. The weekend of the 29th and 30th is flat with tiny 1ft to 2ft swells and poor wind. A real lull.

We see a pulse again at the start of September. Monday the 1st of September picks up a little with 2ft to 3ft SW swells and clean conditions. Wednesday the 3rd of September morning looks solid with a 4ft SW groundswell and a consistent offshore WNW breeze at 12 mph. The energy is building (774).

Looking ahead to Friday the 4th of September morning – that’s a potential late standout. A 6ft SW groundswell with an 18-second period is a beautiful, powerful line. The wind is offshore NW at 12 mph, and the energy is strong (1873). It promises excellent, clean conditions for advanced surfers. The afternoon gets blown out by rain, so get out early.

The water temperature is about average for the time of year.

So, the one to circle is Saturday the 22nd morning for a proper big-swell session. Sunday the 23rd morning is a cleaner, more accessible option. The rest of the week is about picking the clean windows. Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
3
8
6
4
4
4
3
1
2
2
1
0
2
1
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
16
0.8
SW
15
0.6
SW
18
1.3
SW
16
4
SW
15
4
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
1.5
SW
14
1.5
SW
16
1.3
SSW
15
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SSW
12
1.1
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
1
SW
12
1.1
SW
15
1.9
SSW
8
2.5
SW
13
1
SSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
163
273
194
854
6750
5918
1426
877
1101
780
469
268
376
552
301
535
403
2241
357
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
20
WNW
20
WNW
25
WNW
20
W
20
SW
15
WNW
15
NW
10
WNW
15
NNW
20
NNW
15
NNW
10
NW
15
S
20
S
15
SW
20
SSW
25
SW
10
WNW
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
5:20AM1.75m
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
Low Tide
10:50PM0.22m
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
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:56
6:56
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:51
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
 mm
3
1
2
Temp °C
10
14
13
12
15
14
11
13
15
12
17
18
13
12
12
10
13
12
10
Feels °C
6
10
8
8
9
9
9
10
12
9
13
15
11
8
7
5
8
6
6
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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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