Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 5,421 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about the Bells Bowl. Classic reef and point break, and the water is about 57°F, which is pretty standard for this time of year.
The first real go is on Friday the 17th of July. Friday morning is the pick of the early days. You’ve got a solid 5ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, and the energy is pumping at 1368 (moderate-strong). The wind is a light cross-off from the NNW at 6 mph, so the waves will be clean. This is serious, well-shaped stuff for advanced surfers. The Bowl will be offering long, powerful walls. Crowds are possible, so get in early. Friday afternoon eases off a bit.
Saturday the 18th is a step down – the swell drops to 3ft in the morning, energy drops to 382 (weak). Winds are offshore, so it’s clean, but it’s a smaller day. Sunday and Monday are even smaller, around 2ft, though still clean. Not worth a paddle unless you’re on a longboard.
The next real highlight is Thursday the 23rd of July. The morning brings a 5ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and the energy jumps to 947 (moderate). The wind is cross-off from the WSW at 9 mph, so the waves will be clean and well-shaped. A very good morning for the experienced crew.
Now, the big one. Friday the 24th of July is a beast. The afternoon sees a massive 12ft SW swell, period 14 seconds, and the energy is absolutely roaring at 6351 (very strong). This is expert territory only – way too big for beginners. The wind is cross-off at 12 mph, so it’s still clean, but it’s huge. The morning is a more manageable 7ft, but still only for the skilled.
The swell settles back to 4ft to 5ft over the weekend of the 25th and 26th, with clean offshore winds, offering good but not epic sessions.
The following Tuesday the 28th of July is the standout for the second week. The morning delivers an 8ft SSW groundswell with a very long 15-second period, and the energy is a massive 4073 (very strong). The wind is offshore from the NNW at 16 mph, so it’s clean and powerful. A prime, heavy day for experts only. The afternoon stays solid but gets windier.
Overall, the absolute best is Friday the 17th of July morning for a classic, clean groundswell, and Tuesday the 28th of July morning for a bigger, more powerful session. The 24th of July afternoon is the biggest, but it’s a beast for experts only.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1271 | 1115 | 606 | 382 | 250 | 136 | 97 | 93 | 109 | 161 | 107 | 132 | 293 | 295 | 121 | 141 | 387 | 636 | 947 | 852 | 893 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | off | off | glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 1:51PM2.03m | 1:42AM1.76m | 2:34PM2.05m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:59PM0.56m | 8:01AM0.13m | 8:47PM0.42m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | |
 | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — |
 | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 9 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 12 | — | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 1271 | 1115 | 606 | 382 | 250 | 136 | 97 | 93 | 64 | 161 | 107 | 132 | 293 | 295 | 121 | 141 | — | 636 | 947 | 852 | 893 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 15 | — | — | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 10 | W 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 12 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | S 16 |
| kJ | 97 | 87 | 4 | — | — | 79 | 42 | 39 | 109 | 19 | 25 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 69 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 45 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 12 | S 16 | SSW 10 | S 14 | — | — | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 37 | 24 | 5 | 19 | 4 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | — | — | NNW 2 | NNW 3 | — | N 3 | — | NW 2 | WNW 3 | SW 14 | — | — | — | NW 2 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 5 | — | 1 | 5 | 387 | — | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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