Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 09 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
13.6°C
0.6° 

Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, SSW swell with 5,620 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 18s. 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 3.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Thu 10th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 17s
Best Surf 7AM (Thu 10th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 17s
Most Powerful 1PM (Wed 9th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 19s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead at Bells Beach – Bowl, and it’s a proper mixed bag, but there are some real gems hiding in there if you’re patient.

The overall pattern kicks off with a bit of a messy start, then cleans up into some absolute glassy perfection mid-period, before a late run of strong, clean groundswell rolls in. The combined swell energy is moderate to strong throughout the good windows, with values ranging from around 1000 to over 5000 (moderate to very strong wave energy). The water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is about average for this time of year.

First up, the early part of the window is a write-off for quality surfing. Wednesday 9th September is a no-go – cross-onshore wind at 19 mph, lumpy, and the swell is 8 ft but it’s a mess. Thursday 10th is still average with cross-shore chop and only marginal conditions. You’re better off waiting.

Then Friday 11th September morning is where it starts to get interesting. The wind drops to a glassy 3 mph, and the swell is a clean 5 ft from the SSW with a long 15-second period. That’s a groundswell, and at a reef and point break like Bells, it’ll groom into proper lines. Excellent for experienced surfers. The combined energy is a solid 1087 (moderate). Saturday 12th September is a standout – glassy again in the afternoon with just 5 ft of SW swell, also 15 seconds. That’s clean, smooth, and the crowd might be around sometimes, but for a spot like this, it’s worth it.

Sunday 13th September drops off fast – swell down to 4 ft, still clean but small. The rest of the week is a slow fade into tiny surf, with Monday 14th giving only 2 ft – not worth a paddle.

Now, look ahead to the second week. Tuesday 15th September morning brings a serious spike: 12 ft of SW swell at 13 seconds, but it’s cross-shore and choppy, so that’s more for experts only, and it’s not clean. The real standout is Wednesday 16th September – both morning and afternoon are glassy. Morning gives 6 ft from the SW at 16 seconds (very long period groundswell, perfect for Bells’ point setup), and afternoon bumps to 7 ft from the SSW at 17 seconds. Combined energy hits 1571 and 2178 (moderate to strong). That’s the best on offer – clean, powerful, and long lines. Crowds are possible, but you don’t mind sharing when it’s that good.

Thursday 17th and Friday 18th September are still decent – clean, cross-off winds, 4 ft to 5 ft swells, but nothing like the Wednesday glory. The weekend after that fades into small, windy, and ordinary. By Monday 21st September, it’s back to cross-shore junk at 7 ft.

The very last standout is Tuesday 22nd September morning – glassy again, 6 ft from the SW at 16 seconds, clean and excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a late gift.

Overall, if you’ve got flexibility, aim for Friday 11th morning, Saturday 12th afternoon, and absolutely lock in Wednesday 16th September. The Wednesday is the pick of the bunch – big long-period groundswell, glassy, and it’s a reef point break that’ll handle it beautifully. Just be ready for crowds.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed morning, calm by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
3
3
4
1
4
4
2
4
4
4
3
2
1
2
1
0
3
4
1
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SSW
16
3
SSW
18
3
SSW
17
2.5
SSW
16
2.2
SSW
16
1.8
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
15
1.8
SSW
16
2
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
15
1.5
SW
15
1.3
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.5
SW
13
2.3
SW
10
3.5
SW
13
2
SSW
14
1.7
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3102
4987
5491
3272
2389
1447
1087
1608
1928
1238
1019
803
574
393
255
147
84
1028
4284
1487
1065
Wind (km/h)
30
SSW
25
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
20
S
10
WSW
5
SSW
10
SSE
0
NW
10
NNE
5
ENE
10
NNW
20
N
20
NNW
15
NW
20
WNW
20
W
20
WSW
20
SSW
20
S
5
SSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
8:32PM1.49m
10:28AM1.62m
10:16PM1.52m
11:30AM1.68m
11:38PM1.64m
12:19PM1.75m
00:41AM1.78m
1:01PM1.80m
1:32AM1.89m
1:38PM1.84m
2:15AM1.97m
2:13PM1.85m
2:55AM1.99m
Low Tide
3:00PM0.97m
3:26AM0.45m
4:31PM0.86m
4:50AM0.47m
5:39PM0.68m
5:58AM0.45m
6:31PM0.49m
6:52AM0.44m
7:14PM0.33m
7:38AM0.43m
7:53PM0.21m
8:19AM0.45m
8:29PM0.14m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:31
6:31
6:28
6:28
6:26
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:08
6:09
6:10
6:12
 mm
Temp °C
11
11
10
12
12
11
14
13
11
17
19
15
22
22
21
19
19
11
12
11
10
Feels °C
3
4
5
8
8
9
11
10
9
15
17
14
18
18
16
14
14
6
6
6
7
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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