Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line. We’ve got a classic stretch of groundswell with the odd bit of weather to manage. Bells Beach – Bowl (Treasure Coast) is the main stage for this fortnight.

We kick off Saturday the 29th of August with a nice clean signal. The morning delivers a 4ft SW swell, period a solid 14 seconds, and with the wind coming from the WNW at only 3 mph, it’s cross-offshore, keeping the face of that reef-and-point setup tidy. Wave energy is moderate at 466, nothing too pumping, but the bowl will have some shape. The afternoon, though, gets a bit messy with a building 7ft SW swell but a strong S wind at 9 mph swinging cross-on, making it choppy.

Sunday the 30th starts much better: a 5ft SSW swell at 13 seconds, cross-offshore W wind at 6 mph, and clean conditions. The energy steps up to 835, getting more push. But again, the afternoon turns ugly with an 8ft lumpy cross-on and S wind. That’s getting too big for the average punter and the surface will be junk.

Monday the 31st is your first real standout. Morning has a 5ft SW swell, 14 seconds, with a perfect 3 mph NNW offshore wind. It’s clean. The bowl will be holding that long-period groundswell well—this is a reef, so it’ll handle the 14-second interval just fine. Wave energy is a solid 1011. The afternoon is even glassier with 3 mph SSE wind and a 4ft SSW swell, but the tide might be tweaky. Honestly, Monday morning is the best paddle of the first week.

Tuesday the 1st of September morning stays clean with a 5ft SW swell and a 16-second period (that’s proper energy), but the wind is stronger at 12 mph from the NNW—still cross-off, but it’s a moderate breeze. Wave energy is 871. Still good for experienced surfers, but the wind is a little lumpy under the breeze.

Wednesday the 2nd has a few options. Morning is a bit meh with 4ft SW swell and cross-off W wind, but the afternoon is the pick: 5ft SW swell, 15 seconds, and a light 6 mph WSW cross-off. Energy climbs to 923. That’s a very good session.

Thursday the 3rd morning gets another big shout. A 5ft SW swell with a 15-second period and a proper 16 mph NW offshore wind. This is for the well-trained crew—5ft is a solid wave, and with that period and offshore howling, the bowl will be groomed. Energy is 1102. Strong, but manageable for advanced surfers.

Friday the 4th is a skip for the casual surfer. Morning is 6ft SW at 14 seconds, but the wind is WNW at 16 mph cross-off, not giving a clean face. Afternoon bumps to 8ft SW with a 16-second period and the same wind—energy hits 2608. That’s big and powerful. This is expert territory, and that long period will make it suck out on the reef. If you’re not experienced, stay on the sand.

Saturday the 5th of September morning is excellent for the good crew again: 5ft SW, 15 seconds, and a 16 mph NW offshore. Clean, powerful, wave energy of 1140. Afternoon drops to 5ft and energy of 940, still good but less punch.

Now we hit a quiet patch. Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th are both messy with strong wind and rain showers. Surf is small or blown out. Not worth the drive.

Tuesday the 8th morning returns with a 5ft SSW swell at 8 seconds—that’s short period, so the bowl won’t stand up as well. Wind is offshore from the WNW at 16 mph, so it’s clean, but short period limits quality.

Wednesday the 9th is a write-off. 7ft SSW at 9 seconds with a 22 mph cross-on wind from the SSW means poor, lumpy, dangerous conditions.

We get a few average days through to Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th—small swell, cross-off winds, but small and inconsistent.

Saturday the 12th is small and choppy.

Sunday the 13th of September is your standout near the end of the window. Morning brings a 6ft SW swell at a very long 16 seconds, with a 12 mph NW offshore wind. Wave energy is 1788—moderate-to-strong. The bowl will be working like clockwork for experienced surfers only. That period is long, and the reef will focus it beautifully. This is the one to circle on your calendar if you’re an advanced surfer.

Water temperature here is about average for the time of year, nothing out of the ordinary. Crowds at Bells can be around sometimes, so expect company on the good days.

Overall, the best on offer are Monday the 31st of August morning and Sunday the 13th of September morning. Everything else in between is a mix of good and average. The second week has smaller windows, so keep your expectations realistic.

Rusty.

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