Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period, SW swell with 1,289 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 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 (Aug 19) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period. 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 1.7m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Bells Beach – the Bowl. This is a reef and point setup that loves a solid SW groundswell, and we’ve got a decent run ahead, but you’ve gotta pick your moments.
The water’s sitting at 56°F, which is pretty much spot-on for this time of year – no major anomaly to worry about.
Right now, Monday 17 August morning is a bit of a tease. We’ve got a 3ft SW groundswell with a long 16-second period and moderate energy (539), but the wind is a light cross-shore, which leaves the surface a little ripply. It’s surfable, but not the pick. The afternoon gets worse with onshore wind and the score drops right off.
Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 are write-offs – tiny swell, messy winds, just leave the board in the car. Rain and strong breezes, not worth it.
Now, Thursday 20 August morning has me paying attention. The swell is small at 2ft, but direction is SW, period 14 seconds, and we’ve got clean offshore NW wind at 16 mph. The energy is moderate (227), and conditions are described as moderate offshore and clean. It’s not big, but if you’ve got a log or a fish, the Bowl will be peeling nicely. Crowds are possible here, but on a Thursday morning you might get a few quiet ones.
Friday 21 August is the standout of the week. Morning gets a 4ft SW groundswell with a 15-second period and solid energy (561), paired with a gentle offshore NW breeze. The call is “very good surf conditions.” Afternoon stays clean with offshore wind too, though a touch stronger. This is the session to aim for – clean, lined-up groundswell at one of the world’s classic point-and-reef setups. Just be aware, crowds are sometimes an issue here, but the quality will draw them.
Saturday 22 August sees a jump in size – 5ft in the morning, up to 6ft in the afternoon – with energy climbing into the strong range (1060–1869). The wind turns cross-shore and onshore though, and the comments mention questionable tide conditions. For experienced surfers, there’s power, but it’s a bit raw and bumpy.
Sunday 23 August is another top pick. Morning has 5ft SW swell, 14-second period, strong energy (1151), and clean offshore NW wind at 12 mph. It’s described as “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” The afternoon holds up well too, with 4ft and clean offshore wind. This is a proper Bells session – solid, clean, and rippable. If you can handle the lineup, this is one of the best on offer.
Monday 24 August drops off – fresh cross-off wind and rain, energy fading. Tuesday 25 through Wednesday 26 are all poor – small, onshore, choppy. A real lull.
Thursday 27 August morning brings a small hope: 3ft SW groundswell with a very long 18-second period, clean offshore WNW wind at barely a breath, and moderate energy (384). It’s clean but small – a glassy morning for the patient.
Friday 28 August morning is similar – 2ft, offshore NW wind, clean but small. The afternoon bumps up to 4ft but with a shorter period.
Now, Saturday 29 August – this is the big one for the second week. Morning has 7ft SSW swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, which means it’s windswell – punchy and peaky. Energy is strong (1231), wind is light cross-off, and conditions are described as “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That size is only for experts – over 8ft is expert-only, and 7ft is pushing it for most. The short period means the waves will be steep and close together. Not for the faint-hearted, but if you’ve got the skills, Saturday morning will fire. Afternoon jumps to 7ft, 13-second period, and massive energy (2790), but the wind goes onshore – messy.
Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August drop back to 4–7ft, with marginal conditions due to cross-shore or cross-on winds. Not the cleanest.
Tuesday 1 September has 4ft SW swell with a fresh offshore cross-off wind, but the strong breeze will make it a bit lumpy, and the scores are low.
Overall, the two true standouts are Friday 21 August morning for the clean, classic groundswell and Sunday 23 August morning for the solid size and perfect offshore wind. If you’re an expert, Saturday 29 August morning offers a big, punchy challenge. There’s a noticeable gap of poor surf from Tuesday 25 to Wednesday 26 August – a couple of days to give the beach a rest.
Stay stoked, choose your window wisely, and I’ll see you out the back.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the NNE by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
661 | 485 | 238 | 310 | 196 | 109 | 85 | 54 | 147 | 163 | 206 | 318 | 341 | 931 | 1068 | 1194 | 1124 | 787 | 517 | 406 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 3:19AM1.91m | 3:19PM1.94m | 4:01AM1.89m | 3:51PM1.88m | 4:41AM1.83m | 4:21PM1.80m | 5:20AM1.75m | 4:50PM1.71m | 6:00AM1.66m | 5:19PM1.62m | 6:47AM1.56m | 5:50PM1.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:03PM0.19m | 9:18AM0.42m | 9:40PM0.15m | 9:56AM0.52m | 10:16PM0.17m | 10:31AM0.63m | 10:50PM0.22m | 11:06AM0.74m | 11:24PM0.30m | 11:40AM0.86m | 00:01AM0.39m | 12:19PM0.97m | 00:44AM0.47m | |||||||
— | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | NE 5 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 |
661 | 485 | 238 | 310 | 196 | 109 | 21 | 54 | 147 | 163 | 206 | 318 | 341 | 931 | 1068 | 1194 | 1124 | 787 | 517 | 406 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | SE 4 | ESE 7 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 8 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 18 | — | S 16 | — | SW 20 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 12 |
5 | 46 | 24 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 85 | 54 | 49 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 194 | — | 5 | — | 97 | 209 | 224 | 211 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 14 | SE 5 | S 16 | — | SE 7 | SE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | — | SW 20 | S 17 | — | — | — | SW 20 | — | S 17 | W 24 |
— | — | 149 | 7 | 5 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 60 | 6 | — | — | — | 97 | — | 23 | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | ESE 6 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 4 | N 4 | NW 3 | NW 2 | NW 2 | — | NW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
11 | 80 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 29 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 33 | 9 | 19 | 19 | 29 | 29 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











