Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,717 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s 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 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 21s. 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 1.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk feet, miles per hour, and Fahrenheit.
The overall picture for the Bowl this fortnight is promising, especially in the back half. The water is sitting at about 56°F, which is right where it should be for this time of year, so no surprises there.
We kick off Monday the 24th with a solid 4-foot SSW swell, period around 14 seconds, and a 9 mph NNW wind holding clean cross-off. Wave energy is moderate at (554). Good shape. Monday afternoon drops to 3 feet but goes almost glassy, very clean.
Tuesday the 25th is split. Morning has a messy cross-on breeze and rain – skip it. But the afternoon flips with a 10 mph WSW cross-off wind, cleaning up that 4-foot SW swell. That’s the one.
Wednesday the 26th is a write-off for surfing. Cross-shore chop in the morning, and by afternoon it’s 5 feet but onshore and ugly. Kite guys will love it.
Thursday the 27th gets us back. Glassy conditions in the afternoon with a 3 mph offshore breeze. Only 2 feet of swell, but when it’s glass like that, you don’t care.
Friday the 28th is a standout. Morning has 3 feet of SW swell with an 18-second period – that’s proper groundswell. Light offshore wind. Afternoon is even better: glass, 4 feet, 16-second period. That’s a great day for the Bowl.
Saturday the 29th goes glassy in the morning, then onshore in the afternoon. Okay but not great.
Sunday the 30th afternoon jumps to 4 feet with an 18-second period, but a light onshore breeze makes it tricky.
Now, the big one – Monday the 31st. Morning swell hits 6 feet, 17-second period, with a 10 mph offshore NW wind. Wave energy is (1717). That’s expert territory – too big for most. The afternoon holds at 5 feet with a cross-off wind. If you’re good, this is your day.
Tuesday September 1st is clean with 4 feet and offshore wind. Wednesday the 2nd afternoon has 4 feet, 16-second period, glassy – excellent for experienced surfers.
Friday September 4th afternoon jumps to 6 feet WSW, 16-second period, clean offshore wind. Energy at (2383). Strong, powerful, for experts only.
Saturday the 5th is clean and fun at 4 feet.
The second week gets windy. Offshore winds but blowing 19 mph or more. Sunday the 6th has 5 feet with a 16-second period, energy at (1149). It’s raw but ridable for the keen.
The picks: Monday the 31st for big, clean power. Friday the 28th for glassy, long-period fun. Crowds can be a thing at the Bowl, so get there early.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue morning. 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 afternoon, 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 12 | SW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 545 | 255 | 376 | 509 | 376 | 255 | 260 | 821 | 134 | 133 | 101 | 236 | 437 | 683 | 480 | 297 | 203 | 171 | 299 | 798 | 1222 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off |
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 | — | — | 3 | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 545 | 255 | 376 | 509 | 376 | 163 | 260 | 465 | 107 | 133 | 101 | 205 | 437 | 683 | 480 | 297 | 203 | 171 | 299 | 798 | 1222 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 21 | SW 14 | SW 18 | WSW 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 | SW 12 | SW 16 | S 15 |
| kJ | 9 | 102 | 12 | 246 | 129 | 255 | 167 | — | 134 | 54 | 71 | 236 | 163 | 23 | — | 2 | 1 | 45 | 95 | 602 | 72 |
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 | — | — | — | — | E 9 | SW 13 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 15 | 15 | — | 3 | — | 13 | — | 41 | 15 | 71 | 8 | 25 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 44 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | NE 4 | — | ENE 3 | — | SSW 4 | — | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 3 | — | 1 | — | 12 | — | 821 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 230 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
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)
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