
Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 7,597 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. 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 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what the next couple of weeks have in store for us down at Bells.
The window starts off a bit slow, with Monday arvo only offering up a small, lumpy 4ft of SW swell and a fresh cross-shore breeze. It's not going to be pretty, so you might as well give it a miss. We've got a bit of a wait on our hands for the good stuff.
Tuesday morning is where things start to turn. The wind swings offshore from the NW, and we get a clean 3ft of SW swell. It's a start, but still small. The energy is moderate (464). The real juice starts to build on Wednesday. The swell jumps to 10ft from the SW early on the 12th, with a strong energy reading of 6661. The wind is a cross-offshore from the WSW, which keeps it clean, but at that size, this is one for the experienced crew only. It's a brief pulse though, and it backs off to 5ft by the arvo.
Thursday and Friday are the standouts. Thursday arvo sees a clean 7ft of SW swell with a light WSW breeze, and the comment says it's excellent. Friday morning is even better: 8ft of SSW groundswell with a 17-second period, light W winds, and a strong energy of 3708. That's a solid, powerful swell for the Bowl. This is the pick of the week for the advanced surfer. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about average for this time of year.
The weekend drops off a bit. Saturday is smaller and bumpy with cross-onshore winds, and Sunday morning offers up a glassy but smaller 5ft. Monday the 17th is looking clean and glassy with a 4ft SW swell, a nice one for the logger if you're keen.
The middle of the month, from the 19th to the 21st, is a real flat spell with waves under 2ft. It's a quiet stretch, but that's the nature of the beast sometimes. Hang tight.
There's a hint of something on the 22nd with a long-period swell, but it's tiny. The forecast then shows a bit more life returning around the 23rd with a clean 3ft, and then the 25th sees a more promising 4ft of SW swell with light winds, which could be a nice way to finish the run. Just remember, the further out we go, the less certain it all is.
So, to sum it up: if you're an experienced surfer, Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th are your days, with Friday morning looking the pick. Otherwise, keep an eye on that last week for a possible cleanup.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
861 | 553 | 418 | 472 | 795 | 5205 | 1350 | 6861 | 2413 | 2093 | 2092 | 3497 | 2535 | 1511 | 1206 | 1088 | 869 | 763 | 701 | 536 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:06PM1.62m | 9:32AM1.68m | 8:25PM1.55m | 10:50AM1.72m | 9:59PM1.54m | 11:54AM1.79m | 11:28PM1.60m | 12:46PM1.87m | 00:40AM1.71m | 1:30PM1.93m | 1:40AM1.81m | 2:09PM1.97m | 2:32AM1.88m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:14AM0.21m | 3:11PM1.05m | 3:33AM0.25m | 4:42PM0.98m | 4:51AM0.25m | 5:55PM0.82m | 6:01AM0.25m | 6:53PM0.63m | 7:00AM0.25m | 7:41PM0.44m | 7:51AM0.28m | 8:24PM0.29m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | |
5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 |
861 | 553 | 418 | 472 | 795 | 1456 | 1350 | 2146 | 2413 | 2093 | 2092 | 3497 | 2535 | 1511 | 1206 | 1088 | 869 | 763 | 701 | 536 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | SW 6 | S 6 | SSW 19 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | — | S 17 | S 16 | — | — | — | S 15 | — | S 15 | — |
8 | 53 | 23 | 139 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 84 | — | 211 | 81 | — | — | — | 38 | — | 18 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 6 | SW 7 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
24 | 51 | 23 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SW 6 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | SW 16 | W 3 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 |
48 | 95 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 5205 | 3 | 6861 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 200 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 35 | 329 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 33 | 0 | 33 | 14 |
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.











