Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead at Bells Beach - Bowl, but you’ve got to pick your moments. This is a reef and point setup that loves a good SW groundswell, and boy, it’s going to get some serious energy. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual to report there.

It kicks off Friday the 24th of July with a fair bit of size, but conditions are messy. Friday morning sees a hefty 13ft SW swell with a very long 15-second period, and the combined swell energy is pumping hard at 11390 (strong to very strong wave energy). The wind is a cross-off at 15 mph, but it’s a moderate breeze, and the wave comment flags marginal surf due to tide issues. It’s still clean enough for the experienced crew, but that size is firmly in expert-only territory. By Friday afternoon, the swell drops to 8ft SSW, but the wind picks up to 19 mph cross-off and the quality tanks. Saturday the 25th still has plenty of juice – an 12ft SW swell in the morning (5080 energy, moderate to strong) with a moderate cross-off breeze, but again it’s marginal. It stays rideable for the advanced lot, but nothing special for the weekend.

Sunday the 26th is a drop-off day. The morning has a weak 4ft SSW swell with only 430 energy, and the wind is cross-off. It’s not worth the drive. Sunday afternoon brings back an 8ft SW swell (1843 energy), but the moderate cross-off wind keeps it from being great. Then Monday the 27th offers something different: the swell drops to just 3ft SW, but the wind turns offshore from the WNW at 12 mph, and it’s described as having good surf conditions. Small and clean – a fun board option for the patient surfer. Tuesday the 28th has a fresh offshore breeze at 19 mph with a 5ft SSW groundswell (15-second period, 958 energy), but the wind strength makes it tricky. It cleans up a bit in the afternoon with 5ft SSW and fresh offshore wind.

The true standout arrives on Saturday the 1st of August. That morning you get a 5ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period, a light offshore from the NNW at 9 mph, and the report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” The combined swell energy is a solid 1216 (moderate wave energy). The crowd factor is “sometimes,” so you might have company. The afternoon is even better – 6ft SW at 18 seconds, gentle offshore from the WNW at 9 mph, 1925 energy, and still excellent. This is the pick of the whole forecast: clean, powerful, long-period groundswell, and it’s a Sunday shout too with Sunday the 2nd of August offering 5ft SW in the morning (1521 energy) with a moderate offshore. The long-period swells mean the point break nature of Bells will handle the lines beautifully. This is for experienced surfers only; it’s not a beginner wave.

After that, Wednesday the 5th of August sees a swing to cross-shore and onshore winds, and the quality drops off. The swell sticks around at 4ft to 6ft SW/SSW, but it’s marginal. By Friday the 7th of August, it’s a write-off with small 3ft-3ft swells and poor conditions. The forecast wraps up with Saturday the 8th of August offering a tiny 3ft SW swell at 16 seconds, but it’s cross-on and barely worth a paddle.

So, lock in Saturday the 1st of August and Sunday the 2nd – that’s your window for clean, pumping Bells with good winds. The first week has size but wind issues. After the 2nd, the window slams shut for a few days. Get it while it’s good.

Rusty.

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