Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what Bells Beach – Bowl has in store for us over the next couple of weeks. The water temp is sitting at 56°F, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. We’ve got a slow start, but there’s a decent pulse of energy building later on.

First up, Saturday the 15th has a 6ft SSW swell rolling in with a long 15-second period, but the wind is cross-on from the south at 6 mph, making things a bit messy. The combined wave energy is a solid 1369 (moderate energy), but with that onshore wind, it’s more of a look-and-see session. Sunday the 16th drops off a touch to 4ft with similar cross-on wind, so nothing to get excited about.

Monday the 17th is smaller again at 4ft, but the SW swell has a 16-second period which is proper groundswell. The wind’s cross-on in the morning and onshore in the afternoon, so still not clean. Tuesday the 18th is a write-off – tiny 2ft to 3ft with cross-shore winds and poor conditions. Wednesday the 19th is even worse, with 1ft to 2ft of swell and strong offshore wind, but the wave energy drops to as low as 84, so there’s barely a ripple.

Thursday the 20th is still small, 1ft to 2ft, but things start to look cleaner with offshore and cross-off winds. Still, it’s just surfable, nothing special. Friday the 21st is the first real glimmer – 2ft swell from the SW with a 16 to 18-second period, offshore winds from the NW, and the energy picks up to 597 by the afternoon. It says “expect very good surf conditions” and with the wind clean, it’s a solid small-wave day for the crew who know the Bowl.

Now, here’s the standout. Saturday the 22nd of August, late in the day, we see a jump to 12ft of SSW swell with a 14-second period, and the combined energy hits a massive 8606 – that’s strong wave energy. The wind’s cross-off from the WSW at 22 mph, so it’s clean but powerful. This is for experts only – over 8ft, you want to be on your game at this reef-and-point setup. The swell direction is bang on from the southwest, which is the optimum direction for Bells. It’s going to be a solid, heavy day, and with consistent breaks, you’ll want to be out there early. Crowds can pop up sometimes, but with size like this, only the brave will paddle out.

Sunday the 23rd holds at 7ft from the SW with a 16-second period, offshore winds from the WNW, and energy around 2185 – still plenty of punch, but a touch smaller than Saturday. It’s still a good call for advanced surfers. Monday the 24th gets messy with cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions, with 7ft to 8ft of swell from the SSW – I’d give it a miss. Tuesday the 25th has a big 10ft SW swell with a 15-second period and gentle cross-shore wind, energy at 6571, but the wind direction makes it choppy in the afternoon. Not ideal.

The rest of the week into the end of August fades. Wednesday the 26th has 6ft dropping, then Thursday the 27th gets small again at 3ft. Friday the 28th has a nice glassy moment with 3ft SW swell and a 16 to 17-second period, light offshore wind, and clean conditions – a good little session for the small-wave boards. Saturday the 29th is similar at 2ft but with cross-on wind in the afternoon, and Sunday the 30th sees a 6ft S swell with a short 7-second period – that’s windswell, not much shape.

Overall, if you’re after the best, it’s Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd of August for the biggest, cleanest energy. The Bowl will be pumping, but only for the experienced. The rest of the window is small or messy, so pick your days.

Rusty

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