Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a serious pulse of late-winter swell arriving. The big news is solid, long-period SW groundswell that’s gonna be cracking for the experienced crew. The water temp is sittin’ at about 56°, which is average for this time of year.

For the standout session, lock in Sunday morning (23rd August) down at Bells Beach - Bowl. It’s not the biggest, but the stars align perfectly. We’ve got light 6 mph NW wind blowin’ offshore, grooming a clean 5ft SW swell with a nice 14-second period. The combined energy is still pumpin’ at 9104. It’s one of those mornings where the bowl is gonna look like glass. The crowd can turn up here sometimes, but for conditions this clean, it’s worth the company.

The real heavy hitter arrives later. Sunday morning (30th August) is a big one. We’re lookin’ at a 6ft swell from the SSW, but with a very long 19-second period and a glassy 3 mph WNW offshore wind. Combined energy is a massive 3046. For a reef and point setup like Bells, this long-period groundswell is goin’ to wrap in beautifully, offerin’ powerful, lined-up walls. This is expert-level territory, but for the experienced surfer, this is the best wave of the run.

The energy sticks around into the first week of September. Monday morning (31st August) sees a clean 6ft SW swell with a 9-12 mph NW offshore wind, and Tuesday morning (1st September) bumps up the wind to a fresh 18 mph offshore from the WNW, makin’ for a fast, clean 5ft wave. The energy is there (2014), but the wind strength is a factor – it’ll be a battle for the paddle-out, but the ride down the line will be warp speed.

Later in the week, Thursday afternoon (3rd September) looks huge for the brave, with an 12ft SW swell hittin’, but the wind is a strong 18 mph cross-off, which will keep it raw and challengin’. That’s strictly for the big-wave chargers.

Between the big swells, there are a few mornings with smaller, cleaner surf, like Thursday morning (27th August) with a 2ft SSW swell and offshore wind, but it’s low energy. A few afternoons, especially when the wind swings onshore from the south, are goin’ to be choppy and messy.

Overall, the first weekend is the sharpest, cleanest window. The second week has size and power, but the wind is a bit more fickle. Keep your eye on those Sunday and Monday morning windows.

Rusty.

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