Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break it down.

We’ve got a long stretch ahead, but it’s a slow burner. The first recommended surf isn’t until Saturday, July 26th, so there’s a couple of quiet days before anything worth getting wet for. The big standout is Bells Beach – Bowl (reef and point). It’s a consistent spot, so you can bank on it.

The water temp is about normal for this time of year.

Right, from Saturday, July 26th, the morning has light rain and a 20 km/h cross-off wind, with a 11.5 ft swell from the SW, period 12 seconds. That’s massive energy (4740), but it’s over 8 ft, so only for experts. The afternoon drops to 9.8 ft from the SW, still powerful (3294), with the same cross-off wind. Clean, but you need to be on it.

Sunday, July 27th, the swell drops hard. Morning is 4.3 ft from the SSW, 11 seconds, with a cross-off wind. Energy is moderate (399). The afternoon is the pick: 3.9 ft from the SSW, 11 seconds, and the wind goes offshore from the WNW at 10 km/h. Clean, small, fun.

Monday, July 28th, swell is tiny—3.0 ft to 2.6 ft from the SW, 11 seconds. Morning has a gentle offshore from the NNW, so it’s glassy. Small wave stuff.

Tuesday, July 29th, morning swell picks up to 3.6 ft from the SW, period 13 seconds, with a fresh offshore from the NW at 30 km/h. That’s a strong offshore, but energy is moderate (395). The afternoon gets messy with 35 km/h cross-off and a 2.3 ft swell from the SW with a very long period of 15 seconds. Wind is howling, so skip it.

Wednesday, July 30th, morning swell jumps to 7.9 ft from the SSW, 15 seconds, with a cross-shore wind. Energy is high (2685). This is a long-period groundswell, and at Bells, a reef and point, that’s a dream. But at 7.9 ft, it’s expert territory. The afternoon drops to 6.6 ft from the SSW, 14 seconds, still solid (1676), but a cross-chop builds.

Thursday, July 31st, both sessions are small, clean, with light cross-off winds. 3.9 ft to 3.6 ft from the SW, 13 seconds. Energy moderate (494 and 376). Good for a cruise.

Now, the standout. Friday, August 1st, morning: 4.3 ft from the SSW, period 13 seconds, with a moderate offshore from the WNW at 20 km/h. Energy moderate (660), but clean. The afternoon is better: 4.9 ft from the SSW, 14 seconds, with a cross-off wind. Energy jumps to 1107. This is the best of the first week.

Saturday, August 2nd, afternoon: 4.9 ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 16 seconds. That’s serious groundswell energy (1388), and the wind is light and cross-off. Excellent for experienced surfers. The long period will make Bells reel.

Sunday, August 3rd, morning: 5.9 ft from the SW, period 18 seconds. That’s a long, powerful groundswell (2199), with a gentle cross-off wind. Clean. This is the real standout—big, clean, long-period. The afternoon goes onshore, so get out early.

After that, the second week is patchy. Monday, August 4th, is small (4.6 ft) from the SW, period 15 seconds, with light cross-shore winds. Not bad. Tuesday, August 5th, is similar: 4.3 ft to 4.6 ft from the SSW, with moderate cross-off winds. Wednesday, August 6th, morning has 4.3 ft from the SSW, 13 seconds, with a moderate cross-off, energy moderate (1266). The afternoon drops to 3.6 ft.

Then Thursday, August 7th, the swell swings to the SE with a short period of 8 seconds. That’s a windswell, and at 7.5 ft, it’s big but messy. Energy moderate (1093 and 1120). The wind

Read more