Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 16 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
14.1°C
1.2° 

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 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 22 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 3,352 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s 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 17) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Thu 17th Sep)6ft (1.9m) 15s
Best Surf 4AM (Thu 17th Sep)6ft (1.9m) 15s
Most Powerful 1PM (Tue 22nd Sep)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Bells.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, honestly. The first couple of days are real messy. Wednesday the 16th is a write-off – cross-onshore winds and a big, jumbled 8ft swell that’s just not working. The energy is massive at 2631, but the wave quality is terrible for paddle surfing. It’s all chop and wind. Thursday the 17th is a bit smaller but still junk with cross-shore breezes.

The first real glimmer of hope is Friday the 18th. The wind swings offshore from the NW in the morning and stays offshore from the WNW through the afternoon. We’ve got a clean 5ft to 5ft SSW groundswell with a solid 14 to 16 second period and wave energy around 1227 to 1816. This is that classic Bells shape starting to show. It’s got enough power to wrap into the Bowl, and the offshore wind will have it looking like a postcard. The water temp is reading 57°, which is about a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – a nice little bonus for your session.

Saturday the 19th offers a bit more if the crowd isn't too thick. Morning has clean cross-offshore wind and a 5ft SW swell, but the period drops a touch to 13 seconds. The afternoon lightens up with only a light breeze and 4ft surf, perfect for a cruiser session. Crowds can be an issue here, though, so get in early for the cleanest lines.

Sunday the 20th sees the swell dropping to 4ft, and while the wind is light, the wave energy is too weak for much excitement. Monday the 21st brings a new pulse of SSW swell up to 6ft by the afternoon, with a long 16-second period pushing energy to 2265. Problem is, it’s accompanied by a moderate cross-shore wind, so it stays pretty average.

The standout session in the second week is shaping up for Saturday the 26th and then into the first of October. Saturday the 26th has a nice, long-period 19-second SW groundswell at 4ft to 4ft with clean cross-offshore winds. The energy is solid at 1648-2046. That ultra-long period (19 seconds) is best read at the reef and point sections here – it’ll be making the bowl pitchy with long lulls between sets. It’s only for experienced surfers who can handle that rhythm.

Then, if you can hold out, Wednesday the 30th of September shows fresh offshore winds with a building 3ft SW 17-second swell, and that sets up a near-perfect Thursday the 1st of October. Thursday morning is glassy-offshore with a light breeze and a clean 4ft SW swell (16 seconds). By the afternoon, it’s even cleaner – near glassy conditions, a perfect offshore from the WNW, and a 5ft SSW groundswell with 16-second period pushing energy to 1083. That’s your best bet in the whole run. It’s an advanced wave, serious power, and looking like a dream session for those who know how to work it.

All in all, don’t bother paddling out before Friday the 18th. That day and the first of October are the ones to circle.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the NW by Sun morning).

Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
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
0
3
3
1
4
4
4
2
2
3
2
0
2
3
1
1
4
3
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SSW
15
2.3
SSW
15
2
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
14
1.5
SSW
14
1.6
SSW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.5
SSW
16
1.4
SW
14
1.5
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
0.7
SW
15
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
3
SW
12
1.5
SSW
12
1.8
SSW
16
2
SSW
15
2.3
SSW
16
2.5
SSW
16
2.1
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2508
2355
1739
1072
838
1057
701
1155
846
778
488
220
469
529
2196
714
1588
1671
2681
3272
2257
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
25
SSW
15
SW
15
SW
10
S
10
NW
20
NW
20
WNW
25
NW
20
WNW
10
WNW
10
NNW
25
NNW
25
WNW
20
WSW
25
SW
25
SSW
15
W
20
SSW
20
S
15
ESE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
2:45PM1.84m
3:31AM1.96m
3:16PM1.80m
4:07AM1.90m
3:46PM1.74m
4:42AM1.81m
4:15PM1.67m
5:18AM1.70m
4:44PM1.58m
6:00AM1.59m
5:15PM1.49m
6:51AM1.50m
5:54PM1.39m
Low Tide
9:03PM0.13m
9:30AM0.55m
9:37PM0.16m
10:03AM0.63m
10:09PM0.23m
10:34AM0.72m
10:42PM0.31m
11:07AM0.82m
11:17PM0.41m
11:44AM0.92m
11:57PM0.52m
12:33PM1.01m
00:49AM0.62m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:16
6:15
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:13
6:14
6:15
6:15
6:15
6:16
6:17
 mm
Temp °C
11
11
10
12
12
9
18
19
16
20
21
18
25
24
15
12
11
10
12
12
11
Feels °C
5
4
6
9
9
6
12
14
10
17
19
16
18
20
11
6
4
5
7
7
8
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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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