
Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 9,520 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 13s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 15ft (4.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for the Bells Beach area.
We’ve got a 16-day window ahead, but it’s a bit of a slow burn to start. The first solid surf worth talking about pops up on Wednesday the 29th of July. The early part of the week is pretty marginal, so don’t get too excited about Tuesday.
Wednesday the 29th sees the swell start to build. The Bowl is picking up a solid 10ft SW groundswell in the morning, with a period of 16 seconds – that’s proper energy. The combined swell energy is pumping at 4703 (moderate to strong). It’s a bit cross-off with a fresh breeze, so it’s clean but pushing. By Wednesday afternoon, it gets serious. We’re looking at 15ft SW swell, 15-second period, and the energy jumps to 12442 (very strong). That’s a lot of water moving. The wind is a moderate cross-off, still clean. This is expert territory, no doubt. Anything over 8ft is only for the skilled, and this is well past that. If you’re a beginner, sit this one out.
Thursday the 30th, the swell drops a notch. Morning sees 5.5ft SSW with a 13-second period, energy at 1154 (moderate). Wind is moderate cross-off, clean. It’s a more manageable size, but still a bit of muscle. By afternoon, 8ft SW swell, same period, and energy at 2640 (moderate). Clean again. This is still a solid session for experienced surfers.
Friday the 31st, the swell eases further. Morning has 4ft SSW, 12-second period, light cross-off breeze. Energy is 411 (weak to moderate). It’s clean. The real standout on Friday is the afternoon: glassy conditions with wind from the south at just 3 mph, almost dead calm. The swell is 3ft SSW, 12-second period, energy at 395 (weak). It’s small, but that glassy surface will make it feel like a dream for a longboard or a funboard. Crowds are possible here, so get out early.
Saturday the 1st of August, the morning is small with 2.5ft SW, but a very long 17-second period. Energy is 514 (weak to moderate). Light cross-off, clean. That long period means the waves will have good shape but long lulls. The afternoon is the pick of the weekend: 4.5ft SW, 17-second period, offshore wind from the NNW at 6 mph, and energy at 2161 (moderate). The forecast says excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a proper session.
Sunday the 2nd of August, the swell drops back. Morning has 4.5ft SW, 16-second period, but a fresh offshore is blowing at 18 mph, which can make it a bit tricky. Energy is 952 (moderate). Clean, but that wind is strong. Afternoon is smaller and cleaner with a moderate breeze.
Monday the 3rd of August is a write-off for good surf. The wind is onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell is weak. Not worth paddling out.
Tuesday the 4th of August, the morning is small again, 3ft SW, 12-second period, light cross-off, clean. Energy is 496 (weak to moderate). The afternoon gets a very long-period 22-second SSW groundswell, but it’s tiny at 2ft and cross-onshore, so it’s choppy and messy. That long period will make it break tricky at the point.
The standouts:
- Wednesday 29th July afternoon: The biggest swell of the run. 15ft SW, 15-second period, clean with a moderate cross-off. This is the big one, but only for experts. The energy is massive (12442). If you’re experienced and want a challenge, that’s your window.
- Saturday 1st August afternoon: 4.5ft SW, 17-second period, light offshore, and clean. The forecast is calling it excellent for experienced surfers. This is a beautiful, powerful session without the insanity of Wednesday. Crowds are possible, but it’s worth it.
Later in the week, we have another promising window. Wednesday the 5th of August morning has 4ft SW, 18-second period, light cross-off, and energy at 1890 (moderate). The afternoon is a glassy gem: 4ft SW, 17-second period, dead calm wind, and energy at 1588 (moderate). That’s a magic afternoon session, clean and long-period.
Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th of August both have clean, small surf in the mornings, with Friday afternoon offering a very long 21-second SW groundswell at 2.5ft, with light cross-off. That’s a cool, long-period wave for a point break – it’ll wrap in nicely.
The second week sees a few more pulses. The 10th and 11th of
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 6°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Tue night, light winds from the WSW by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
476 | 231 | 795 | 1179 | 4703 | 9071 | 4600 | 972 | 2000 | 473 | 390 | 294 | 264 | 309 | 1221 | 1524 | 952 | 653 | 614 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:09AM1.55m | 9:38PM1.32m | 12:07PM1.63m | 11:00PM1.33m | 12:51PM1.71m | 00:08AM1.38m | 1:28PM1.78m | 1:02AM1.46m | 2:00PM1.83m | 1:49AM1.54m | 2:29PM1.87m | 2:31AM1.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:34AM0.51m | 5:06PM1.10m | 4:41AM0.50m | 6:14PM1.02m | 5:41AM0.46m | 7:02PM0.92m | 6:32AM0.42m | 7:40PM0.80m | 7:16AM0.40m | 8:13PM0.68m | 7:56AM0.39m | 8:43PM0.56m | |||||||
— | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | 10 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
476 | 231 | 795 | 1179 | — | 3371 | 1823 | 972 | 640 | 473 | 390 | 294 | 264 | 199 | 1221 | 1524 | 952 | 653 | 614 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | SSW 16 | S 16 | — | — | — | — | S 11 | — | S 23 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 17 | S 17 | — | S 16 | WSW 20 |
42 | 220 | 42 | — | — | — | — | 182 | — | 11 | 18 | 98 | 92 | 309 | 940 | 149 | — | 20 | 37 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 24 | S 13 | S 13 | S 19 | S 17 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | N 5 | NW 4 | NW 4 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NNW 3 | WNW 3 |
24 | 31 | 20 | 21 | 4703 | 9071 | 4600 | — | 2000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 8 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 336 | 329 | 32 | 536 | 701 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 6 | 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.










