
Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 5,182 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s period with SW 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bells Beach - Bowl in the next 16 days are 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
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 coming up for Bells Beach – Bowl. This is a reef and point setup for advanced surfers, and it’s got a consistent run of swell on the way. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing crazy.
The start is a bit slow. Sunday the 19th we’ve got small waves, around 2ft from the SSW, with an 11-second period. The wind is light and cross-off in the morning, turning glassy in the afternoon. It’s clean, but the energy is weak (170). Not a big deal.
Monday the 20th is similar, around 2ft, but the period jumps to 16 seconds, and the energy bumps to 230. The wind is offshore in the morning, making it clean. It’s a groundswell, so the waves will have more shape and longer gaps.
Tuesday the 21st is a bit better, with 3ft from the SW, a 14-second period, and offshore winds all day. The energy is moderate (269), and it’s clean. A solid session for the experienced.
Wednesday the 22nd is mixed. The morning has 2ft with a moderate offshore breeze, but the afternoon lifts to 4ft from the SW, period 13 seconds, and the energy hits 431. The wind is cross-off, so it stays clean. Marginal due to tide, but worth a look.
Thursday the 23rd gets serious. The swell jumps to 13ft from the SW, with a 13-second period. The energy is very strong (6511). This is big, only for experts. The morning has cross-off wind, but the afternoon turns cross-shore with a chop. Size is intimidating.
Friday the 24th is still pumping, with 7ft to 8ft from the SW, period 14 seconds, and fresh cross-off winds. The energy is strong (1704 to 2932). It’s clean, but pushing into big range.
Saturday the 25th is a sweet spot. Swell drops to 6ft in the morning, 5ft in the afternoon, from the SW and SSW, with a 13-second period. The wind is cross-off and light, and the energy is strong (996 to 679). The description says “very good surf conditions.” This is your best bet for the first week – clean, consistent, and manageable.
Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th see the swell dropping to 3ft to 3ft, with offshore winds on Sunday, but Monday gets fresh cross-off and poor conditions. Not much.
Then, the standout hits on Tuesday the 28th of July. The swell reaches 13ft with a 16-second period from the SW, and the energy is massive (8973). The wind is offshore and moderate. This is a proper groundswell for a point break like Bells – epic. The afternoon drops to 10ft, still offshore, with exceptional conditions for experts. If you’re advanced, circle this day. Crowds are sometimes an issue, so expect company.
Wednesday the 29th still has good size, 7ft in the morning from the SSW, with offshore wind and high energy (1353). The afternoon turns messy with cross-shore wind and a storm risk, so get it early.
After that, from Thursday the 30th through to Saturday the 1st of August, it’s a write-off. Strong onshore winds, lumpy, and choppy. Sunday the 2nd of August has a long-period 20-second swell, but it’s only 2ft to 4ft, with light cross-onshore wind. The energy is moderate (553 to 1091), but conditions are marginal.
The best of the run? That’s Saturday the 25th for the clean, fun waves, and Tuesday the 28th for the big, powerful groundswell for the experts. The long-range for Monday the 3rd of August looks promising, with 3ft from the SW, 17-second period, and glassy conditions, but it’s a way off, so keep an eye on it.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue night, min 6°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
83 | 111 | 93 | 109 | 206 | 107 | 134 | 269 | 208 | 85 | 92 | 431 | 2536 | 5009 | 5182 | 1884 | 1704 | 2626 | 1987 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:41AM1.81m | 3:14PM2.04m | 3:35AM1.82m | 3:51PM1.99m | 4:25AM1.80m | 4:26PM1.92m | 5:13AM1.75m | 4:59PM1.82m | 6:00AM1.69m | 5:30PM1.72m | 6:48AM1.62m | 6:02PM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:50AM0.22m | 9:31PM0.30m | 9:36AM0.34m | 10:13PM0.24m | 10:20AM0.48m | 10:53PM0.23m | 11:01AM0.63m | 11:32PM0.26m | 11:41AM0.76m | 00:10AM0.32m | 12:23PM0.89m | 00:50AM0.38m | |||||||
— | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | E 10 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 |
81 | 111 | 93 | 64 | 206 | 107 | 134 | 269 | 208 | 85 | 92 | 2 | 795 | 1502 | 1664 | 1884 | 1704 | 2626 | 1987 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 10 | WSW 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 11 | SW 8 | — | — | — | SSW 18 | — | — | S 16 | S 14 |
83 | 44 | 39 | 109 | 19 | 27 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 45 | 16 | — | — | — | 218 | — | — | 306 | 102 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 20 | SSW 19 | WSW 12 | S 16 | SSW 10 | E 11 | — | — | E 10 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 15 | 37 | 14 | 5 | 10 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 3 | — | — | NNW 3 | N 3 | — | N 3 | — | NNW 2 | WNW 3 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | NW 3 | N 4 | NW 4 | — |
— | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 5 | — | 1 | 3 | 431 | 2536 | 5009 | 5182 | 2 | 1 | 5 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 520 | 11 | 0 | 32 | 32 | 5 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










