Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Bells Beach – Bowl. This is a reef and point setup that’s made for the big stuff, and it’s exposed to the south-west swell, which is exactly what it loves. The water temp is sitting at 56.5°F, which is about average for this time of year – nothing weird, just your standard winter chill.

Right out of the gate, Friday the 31st of July, we’ve got a nice little run. The morning brings a 3.6ft SW swell with a 12-second period, and a light WNW breeze offshore. The combined energy is moderate (371), nothing too crazy, but it’s clean. By the afternoon, the wind swings to a glassy 3 mph from the south, and the swell drops slightly to 3.3ft, but the glassy conditions make it feel like a dream. The energy picks up a bit (409). This is a solid start.

Saturday the 1st of August is where it starts to get really interesting. The morning has a 2.3ft SW swell, but the period is a long 17 seconds, and the energy jumps to 527. The wind is a light cross-off from the north, keeping it clean. By the afternoon, the swell bumps up to 4.6ft, still from the SW, with that same 17-second period, and the energy absolutely rockets to 1724. That’s a strong pulse of groundswell. The wind stays light cross-off, and the description says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is a standout. The long period means the waves will have plenty of shape and power, and with the reef bottom, it’s going to be a proper session.

Sunday the 2nd of August drops off a bit. The swell is still around 4.6ft and 3.9ft, with a 16-second period, but the wind picks up to 12 mph from the north, which is cross-off. The energy is still moderate (986 and 767), but it’s more marginal. Not a write-off, but not the best of the run.

Monday the 3rd of August has a morning with 3.6ft SW swell, 15-second period, and a 16 mph offshore from the NW. The energy is 915, and it’s clean. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 5.2ft, but the wind turns cross-off and there’s a risk of thunderstorms. The energy is 1079, but it’s a bit messy.

Tuesday the 4th of August brings the biggest swell so far – 8.2ft in the morning, 11-second period, and energy at 2258. That’s strong wave energy. The wind is cross-off from the west, but it’s 12 mph, so it’s not ideal. For the afternoon, it’s 6.2ft with a 10-second period, but the wind is a cross-shore from the SW at 16 mph, creating a cross-chop. This is big, but it’s more for the experienced crew, and the wind will mess with the surface.

Then we get a bit of a lull. Wednesday the 5th of August through to Saturday the 8th of August sees the swell drop to 1.6ft to 3.3ft, with some glassy mornings and light winds, but the energy is low (264 to 674). The 19-second period on the 5th is beautiful, but the swell is tiny. Sunday the 9th of August is a write-off – strong winds, energy in the 400s, and poor conditions.

But hold on. The following week brings some real promise. Monday the 10th of August has a 3.6ft SW swell, 14-second period, and a 22 mph offshore from the NNW. The energy is 632, and it’s clean, but that wind is strong. Tuesday the 11th of August is the one to watch: 6.2ft SW swell in the morning, with a 16-second period, and energy at 1787. The wind is 25 mph offshore from the NW, which is strong offshore and clean, but it’s going to be hard to paddle into. The afternoon has 5.6ft with a 15-second period, energy at 1302, and a 19 mph offshore. This is powerful, but only for the fit and skilled.

Wednesday the 12th of August fades, and then Thursday the 14th of August is a mixed bag. The morning pulls in a 9.8ft SE swell, but it’s only 8-second period, so it’s short-period windswell, and the energy is 1647. The wind is cross-off. That’s big, but it’s going to be more of a close-out or a kite surfer’s day. The afternoon, though, is a proper standout: 3.0ft SW swell with a 21-second period – that’s very long period groundswell. The energy is 1534, and the wind is a gentle 9 mph cross-off. For a reef and point, that long period will wrap beautifully, and the description says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. That’

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