
Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 10,751 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. 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 5.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 4AM. 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 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 16ft (5.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the Bells Bowl stretch over the next couple of weeks. It’s a mixed bag, but there are some moments that’ll get the blood pumpin’.
First up, the water temp is sitting at 57°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The week kicks off with a solid pulse of SW groundswell, but don’t get too excited just yet – the wind is a cross-off at 16 mph, so it’s gonna be a bit of a battle. The combined swell energy is pumping at 5398 (moderate to strong), with 10 ft of SW swell, but the wind is messy and the call is “marginal”. On Thursday the 23rd, this is for the brave, not the faint-hearted.
Moving into Friday the 24th, the swell drops a notch to 8 ft from the SSW, but that period stretches to 15 seconds – proper long-period groundswell. The wind is still cross-off, and the energy is still solid at 3758. The size is getting into that territory where it’s only for the experienced crew. Not the cleanest, but there’s power.
Saturday the 25th is the standout for the first week. The morning brings a solid 12 ft of SW swell, period of 13 seconds, and a combined energy of 4927. The wind is a steady 12 mph cross-off from the west. This is the biggest swell of the run, and the Bowl will be a sight to behold. It’s a reef and point break, so it handles that size well, but it’s advanced-only territory. The swell direction matches the optimum SW, so it’s set up for some classic Bells lines. Expect crowds though – this spot is often busy, and with a swell like this, it’ll be buzzing.
Sunday the 26th drops off quickly. Morning is tiny at 4 ft, and by the afternoon it’s back up to 8 ft but the period is dropping to 10 seconds. The energy is low (438 in the morning, 1737 in the afternoon). Not the day.
Monday the 27th is a strange one. Swell is small, only 4 ft, but the wind goes offshore from the WNW. The energy is weak (268-441), but for a surfer who wants a clean, cruisy session on a smaller board, it’ll be glassy and fun. The period is 10-11 seconds, so it’s short-period and not much grunt.
Tuesday the 28th brings a new SSW groundswell with a very long period of 16 seconds, and 5 ft of swell. The wind is offshore from the NNW, but it’s a fresh 19 mph breeze. The energy is moderate (1319-1337). It’s clean, but the wind is strong and the swell is long-period, which can make the Bowl a bit too straight and fast. Still, for the experienced, it’s a go.
From Wednesday the 29th onward, the quality drops. Winds go cross-on, the swell drops, and the conditions turn choppy. By Thursday the 30th, the wind goes glassy or light cross-off, but the swell is down to 4-4 ft. It’s clean, but small. For the patient soul, it’s a chance.
Friday the 31st morning is clean with offshore wind and 3 ft of SSW swell, but by the afternoon it’s a joke – 2 ft with a 20 second period and 19 mph wind. That’s a paddling session, not a surfing one.
Now, the second week. Saturday the 1st of August is a massive pulse. 8-8 ft of SSW swell, period of 16 seconds, and combined energy of 5587 and 5139. That’s strong energy. But the wind is cross-on from the south at 9 mph, making it choppy. This is a big, powerful, but messy day. Only for the experts, and even then, it’s a battle.
Sunday the 2nd of August morning is the real standout for the second week. 7 ft of SSW swell, 16-second period, and combined energy of 1973. The wind is a light cross-off from the WSW at 6 mph. This is clean, powerful, and the swell direction is right. The Bowl will be a dream. The crowds will be there, but it’s worth it. This is the pick of the week.
After that, it fades. Monday the 3rd is onshore, Tuesday the 4th is small and cross-on, and by Wednesday the 5th it’s tiny. The rest of the week is a flat spell with weak energy and poor conditions. From the 5th to the 7th, it’s a write-off for any decent surfing.
So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Saturday the 25th of July for the big, powerful SW swell, and Sunday the 2nd of August for the clean, long-period groundswell with light offshore wind. The rest is patchy, windy, or small. Take your pick and be ready.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Thu afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
3293 | 3691 | 3464 | 2381 | 1710 | 3586 | 1016 | 636 | 411 | 1334 | 298 | 234 | 320 | 471 | 1273 | 1225 | 1209 | 1578 | 1212 | 787 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:30PM1.72m | 6:48AM1.62m | 6:02PM1.61m | 7:41AM1.55m | 6:37PM1.52m | 8:44AM1.51m | 7:19PM1.43m | 9:57AM1.51m | 8:17PM1.36m | 11:09AM1.55m | 9:38PM1.32m | 12:07PM1.63m | 11:00PM1.33m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:10AM0.32m | 12:23PM0.89m | 00:50AM0.38m | 1:11PM1.00m | 1:35AM0.44m | 2:12PM1.09m | 2:29AM0.49m | 3:35PM1.13m | 3:34AM0.51m | 5:06PM1.10m | 4:41AM0.50m | 6:14PM1.02m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 4 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
1977 | 3691 | 3464 | 2381 | 1710 | 1341 | 1016 | 636 | 411 | 392 | 298 | 234 | 320 | 471 | 1273 | 1225 | 1209 | 1578 | 1212 | 787 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | — | S 15 | S 14 | — | — | S 13 | — | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 14 | S 16 | S 15 | S 16 | SW 22 | — | WSW 12 |
128 | — | 294 | 192 | — | — | 54 | — | 27 | 11 | 26 | 34 | 121 | 36 | 46 | 112 | 119 | 18 | — | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | — | W 3 | WNW 3 | SW 13 | — | WNW 3 | WNW 2 | SW 10 | WNW 2 | WNW 2 | — | NW 3 | N 3 | NW 4 | SSW 5 | — | — | — |
3293 | 3409 | — | 5 | 6 | 3586 | — | 1 | 1 | 1334 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 6 | 17 | 37 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 6 | 5 | 519 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 535 | 547 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 5 |
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.










