Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 19s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 19s period, SW swell with 2,252 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period with SSW 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bells Beach - Bowl in the next 16 days are 1.8m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) 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 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s shaping up at Bells Beach – the Bowl, that famous reef and point set-up. We’ve got a bit of a slow starter, but there’s some absolute fire on the horizon if you’ve got patience.
Right now, the water’s sitting at 56°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year – nothing unusual there. The first real surf to get excited about kicks off on Monday the 24th of August. Monday morning’s looking tidy with a clean 4ft SSW swell, a long 14-second period, and a gentle cross-off breeze from the north. The energy’s moderate at 554, and it’s setting up for some very good waves. By Monday afternoon, it drops a fraction to 3ft, still clean, with that 12-second period. A nice, gentle start.
Tuesday the 25th is a bit of a letdown – the swell hangs around 4ft to 4ft from the SW, but the wind swings cross-shore and light rain shows up. It’s a bit messy, not really worth paddling out for. Wednesday the 26th looks even worse, with a cross-on breeze and choppy conditions – I’d give that a miss.
Thursday the 27th brings a tease: a clean 3ft SSW swell with a 1ft period, but the real gem is Thursday afternoon – glassy conditions and 2ft waves. Small, but clean as a whistle. Friday the 28th is where it starts to get interesting. Friday morning has a long-period 3ft SW groundswell at 18 seconds, with a gentle offshore wind. The energy is moderate at 623, and the wave quality is very good. Friday afternoon turns glassy again with 4ft SW swell, 16-second period, and a combined energy of 698. That’s a great session, especially for a point break like the Bowl where long-period groundswell really lines up.
Saturday the 29th starts glassy with 3ft SW swell, but the afternoon gets a bit iffy with an onshore breeze. Sunday the 30th is worth a look – a glassy morning with 3ft SW swell at 13 seconds and energy of 452. Good, clean fun.
Now, for the standout – mark your calendar for Monday the 31st of August. Monday morning brings a solid 6ft SW swell with a very long 19-second period and a combined energy reading of 3007 – that’s strong wave energy, no doubt. The wind is a slight cross-off from the north, keeping it clean. This one’s for the advanced crew – it’s too big for beginners, but for the experts, it’s exceptional. Monday afternoon is just as good, glassy and still 6ft. This is the pick of the whole outlook.
Tuesday the 1st of September holds onto the swell at 4ft, with a moderate offshore from the WNW, but the wind picks up, making it a bit more challenging. The rest of that week has some good pulses, particularly Wednesday the 2nd afternoon with a 4ft SW swell at 18 seconds and energy of 1811, though the wind’s onshore. Thursday the 3rd afternoon cleans up with a 4ft SW swell and cross-off breeze.
The second week has a couple of absolute bombs. Friday the 4th of September – get ready for a 10ft WSW swell, moderate offshore from the NW, and energy at 3382. That’s big, powerful, and only for the very experienced. Saturday the 5th settles down to a clean 3ft SSW swell, a nice cooldown. Then Sunday the 6th of September – another huge pulse: 10ft WSW swell with energy at 3865, moderate offshore. This is another expert-only day, and the swell direction is a touch west of the optimum, but the Bowl handles it.
Monday the 7th is a write-off with howling near-gale winds, despite the swell. But Tuesday the 8th of September is a stunner: a 10ft SW swell with an 18-second period and energy at 5181, with a fresh offshore breeze. The afternoon holds at 8ft with the same long period, still offshore. That’s a world-class day for the crew with the skill to handle it.
So, the bottom line: the first real surf is Monday the 24th, but the absolute standout is Monday the 31st of August for a clean, powerful groundswell. The second standout is Tuesday the 8th of September – another clean, heavy session. Crowds can happen here at Bells, especially on those days, so get in early. This is a consistent, exposed reef and point, and when the SW swell locks in with offshore or glassy wind, it’s as good as it gets.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
545 | 255 | 376 | 509 | 376 | 255 | 190 | 458 | 134 | 133 | 88 | 236 | 437 | 675 | 480 | 297 | 293 | 171 | 249 | 778 | 807 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 12:53PM1.70m | 00:50AM1.55m | 1:23PM1.76m | 1:34AM1.69m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:15AM0.52m | 7:03PM0.71m | 7:00AM0.47m | 7:34PM0.55m | ||||||||
6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | 6 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | — | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
545 | 255 | 376 | 509 | 376 | 163 | 190 | — | 103 | 133 | 88 | 205 | 437 | 675 | 480 | 297 | 293 | 171 | 249 | 778 | 807 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 21 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 13 | S 17 | — | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 21 | SSW 18 | S 26 | SW 22 |
9 | 102 | 12 | 295 | 129 | 255 | 167 | — | 134 | 54 | 70 | 236 | 161 | 23 | — | 2 | 1 | 45 | 186 | 13 | 124 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 20 | S 14 | — | ESE 4 | — | SW 18 | — | SW 16 | WSW 12 | SW 21 | S 20 | S 18 | — | — | — | S 24 | E 9 | S 15 | SW 20 | SW 18 |
— | 15 | 15 | — | 3 | — | 13 | — | 41 | 15 | 71 | 7 | 25 | — | — | — | 11 | 2 | 17 | 61 | 49 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | ESE 4 | — | SW 5 | — | SSW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | 22 | — | 458 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











