Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Issued: 3 pm 07 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
14.4° C

Slightly warmer than usual

Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 9,082 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 20s. 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 4.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 8th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 15s
Best Surf10PM (Tue 14th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 4AM (Mon 13th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a sweet 16-day stretch coming up for the Bells Bowl, though it starts off slow and then really fires up. The first few days are small and clean, but nothing to write home about. Then, around Monday the 13th, the ocean kicks into gear with a serious groundswell that hangs around for a week. The combined energy of all swells directed here hits the thousands (3832 on Monday morning), which is solid moderate-to-strong. Water temp is 58°, about average for the season, so a 4/3 wetsuit will do.

Here’s how it plays out. First real surf is Tuesday 7th July afternoon: 4ft from the SW with a 16-second period, light ESE wind at 6 mph—slight offshore, so clean. Energy is 608, weak to moderate. A bit marginal, but you’ll get some. Wednesday 8th morning: 4ft SW, 18-second period, NE wind crossing. Energy jumps to 1294. Still a bit messy. Wednesday afternoon: 5ft SW, but cross-on wind, not ideal.

Thursday 9th morning is glassy—northerly wind at 3 mph, dead calm—with 3ft SW, 16-second period. Clean, but small. Energy 476. Friday 10th morning: 3ft SW, 15-second period, offshore NNW wind at 6 mph. Clean as a whistle, energy 421. The bowl will be running.

Saturday 11th turns ugly with 19 mph northerlies and rain, waves drop to 2ft. Skip it. Sunday 12th has strong offshore winds (NW 22 mph) but the swell is only 4ft, so it’s choppy.

Now, the standout. Monday 13th July morning: 8ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period, combined energy roaring to 3832. Wind is WNW at 12 mph—moderate offshore. This is reef-and-point, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. It’s advanced-only at this size. The bowl will be cranking. Tuesday 14th July morning: 8ft SSW, 16-second period, 4157 energy, with WSW cross-off wind at 9 mph. Excellent for experienced surfers. Wednesday 15th morning: 6ft SSW, 14-second period, with WNW cross-off breeze—still pumping. Wednesday afternoon: 8ft SSW, 16-second period, but a light cross-shore wind, so a bit wonky but meaty.

Thursday 16th morning: 6ft SSW, 16-second period, offshore NNW wind at 6 mph. Clean, energy 1743. Friday 17th morning: 5ft SW, 19-second period—very long period groundswell—with a gentle offshore NW breeze. The bowl will be lined up and hollow. After that, the swell fades fast. Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th are small and windy, with 19-25 mph winds, not worth it. Monday 20th through Wednesday 22nd are blown out.

The absolute best is Monday 13th July morning and Tuesday 14th July morning. That’s when the bowl is at its biggest, cleanest, and most powerful. If you’re an expert, get in the water. Later days like Thursday 16th and Friday 17th are also top-notch but a bit smaller. Crowds can be around at Bells, but with these conditions, expect a few locals. Don’t miss it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the NW by Sun morning).

Tue
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
3
2
1
3
2
2
2
0
0
0
2
1
8
5
3
3
5
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
16
1
SW
16
1.2
SW
18
1.5
SW
18
1.2
SW
16
1
SW
16
0.9
SW
15
1.1
SW
16
1
SW
15
0.8
SW
15
0.7
SW
14
0.7
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.8
SW
12
1.1
SW
14
1.3
SW
12
4.5
SW
13
2.5
SSW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.3
SW
14
2.5
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
587
462
989
1351
748
471
355
661
421
313
203
209
125
207
507
528
7073
3832
3137
2155
3786
Wind (km/h)
10
ESE
5
ENE
5
NE
10
E
5
NE
5
N
10
ENE
10
NNW
10
NNW
10
N
15
N
30
N
30
W
25
W
35
NW
30
WNW
25
W
20
WNW
30
WNW
20
W
15
W
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
4:19PM1.83m
4:47AM1.61m
4:47PM1.79m
5:34AM1.65m
5:18PM1.75m
6:28AM1.69m
5:54PM1.70m
7:30AM1.71m
6:39PM1.65m
8:40AM1.74m
7:35PM1.61m
9:55AM1.78m
8:45PM1.58m
11:07AM1.84m
Low Tide
10:43PM0.46m
10:38AM0.59m
11:15PM0.38m
11:21AM0.70m
11:54PM0.30m
12:10PM0.81m
00:39AM0.22m
1:09PM0.92m
1:34AM0.17m
2:18PM1.01m
2:38AM0.14m
3:38PM1.04m
3:48AM0.11m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:39
7:39
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:37
7:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:16
5:17
5:19
5:19
 mm
5
2
2
Temp °C
10
11
11
11
10
11
11
10
13
15
11
13
9
9
12
12
10
12
13
12
13
Feels °C
9
10
9
9
8
9
9
8
10
13
6
6
2
2
4
6
5
5
7
7
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
16
1
SW
16
1.2
SW
18
1.5
SW
18
1.2
SW
16
1
SW
16
0.9
SW
15
1.1
SW
16
1
SW
15
0.8
SW
15
0.7
SW
14
0.7
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.8
SW
12
1.1
SW
14
1.3
SW
12
2.4
SW
15
2.5
SSW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.3
SW
14
2.5
SSW
16
Energy kJ
587
462
989
1351
748
471
355
661
421
313
203
209
125
207
507
528
2360
3832
3137
2155
3786
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
16
0.2
SSW
23
0.9
SW
14
0.4
S
18
0.2
ESE
4
0.4
SW
20
0.3
S
17
0.1
E
8
0.1
E
8
0.1
E
8
0.5
N
4
0.6
SW
6
0.8
SSW
12
0.1
SW
22
0.5
SW
19
1.1
SW
17
0.8
S
17
Energy kJ
21
51
305
96
1
134
52
1
1
1
8
27
158
18
184
695
371
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
8
0.1
SE
12
0.1
SE
11
0.1
E
8
Energy kJ
1
5
4
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
ESE
4
0.3
NNW
2
0.6
NNE
4
0.6
WNW
3
0.4
NW
3
0.6
W
3
0.7
NW
4
4.5
SW
13
0.5
NW
3
0.4
WNW
3
Energy kJ
8
1
10
9
3
6
12
7073
5
4
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
3
5
3
2
2
3
2
2
2
1
3
1
1
1
8
5
2
4
5
Distance (km)
29
6
2
33
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
329
34
6
519
555
6
0
523
6
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
3
2
8
5
4
5
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
7
6
6
4
5
5
4
4
3
4
3
5
5
4
9
6
5
5
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
9
8
7
7
7
6
6
6
5
5
5
5
5
6
8
6
5
5
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
How to use the Wavefinder 
submit an eyeball surf report

Quick surf report for Bells Beach - Bowl:

join our community of surf reporters

FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website

The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.


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.

Nearest locationNearest