Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Right, we’ve got a bit of a slow burn here at Bells Beach - Bowl. The next week or so starts off pretty average, but there’s a solid window of proper, clean groundswell coming in the middle of the week, followed by a real standout for the more experienced crew. Let’s walk through it day by day.

Sunday afternoon is a write-off – just 2ft of weak SW swell with a fresh NNE cross-off wind making it messy. Not worth the drive.

Monday morning is where it starts to get interesting. We’ve got 4ft of SW groundswell with a long 19-second period, and a clean NW offshore wind. The combined energy is (1026), which is moderate to strong. Water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about average for this time of year. This is solid, lined-up surf for advanced surfers. Monday afternoon turns ugly with a SSW cross-wind, so get in early.

Tuesday looks promising all day. Morning brings 3ft SW at 15 seconds with offshore NW winds and (476) energy – clean and fun. Afternoon bumps to 4ft with a NNW offshore and (628) energy – very good conditions shaping up. The point setup at Bells loves these long-period SW swells, and with offshore winds, you’re getting clean faces.

Wednesday is for the big kids. We’ve got 5ft to 6ft SW swell, with a strong 16-second period. Energy is heavy – (1228) in the morning jumping to (1782) by the afternoon. Winds are cross-off from the W, which keeps it manageable but it’s still pushing 6ft. This is expert territory, especially with that long-period groundswell wanting to jack up. Keep an eye on the tide.

Thursday offers another solid window. Morning sees 6ft SW at 16 seconds with light cross-off WNW winds – energy at (1694). The standout moment, and the best on offer for the week, is Thursday afternoon. You’ve got 6ft SW, 16-second period, light W cross-off breeze, and energy roaring at (1819). This is the pick. Expect excellent, powerful waves for experienced surfers, and with crowds being only “sometimes” an issue, you could score some clean ones.

Friday morning is the real standout of the whole forecast. 8ft SSW groundswell, 17-second period, and a gentle offshore WNW breeze. Energy is massive at (3276). This is heavy, powerful, expert-only stuff. The long period means Bells, being a reef-and-point, will handle it beautifully, but beach breaks will be tricky. If you’re not comfortable in big, clean, lumpy groundswell, sit this one out. Friday afternoon drops to 7ft with SW cross-off wind, still excellent.

Saturday sees a drop-off. 5ft SW with a SW cross-wind in the morning – (1103) energy, but the wind starts to mess with it. By afternoon it’s a 5ft SSW chop-fest with onshore winds. Sunday is marginal at best – 4ft with light onshore winds, not great.

Monday, 18th August, has a brief return of clean 3ft SW at 15 seconds with a light NNW cross-off – (448) energy and clean faces. But it’s short-lived. Tuesday and Wednesday drop to 3ft or less, with weak energy (under 500) and light onshore or cross-shore winds. Not worth planning around.

From the 20th onwards, it’s tiny – mostly 2ft, with strong N winds or onshore slop. The 23rd sees a spike to 5ft with a cross-onshore howling S wind and (1440) energy, but it’s just messy. The final days (24th) are choppy onshore trash.

So, to sum up: the best windows are Thursday afternoon (19th August) and Friday morning (20th August) – both offer excellent, powerful SW groundswell with light offshore or cross-off winds. Friday morning (8ft, 17 seconds) is the true standout for the experts. Everything else is either small or onshore. Bells is your spot, but don’t expect much after that second week.

Rusty.

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