Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here. We’ve got a classic Bells Beach stretch on the cards over the next couple of weeks – a real mix of solid groundswell and some clean windows, but you’ll need to pick your moments. The water temp’s sitting about average for this time of year, so that’s no surprise.

The action kicks off Thursday morning, August 13, with a solid 7ft SW groundswell rolling in at a very long 16 seconds – that’s a heap of energy (2444). The wind is a moderate 12 mph cross-off from the west, keeping things clean, though the tide might be a bit tricky. This is prime for experienced surfers at Bells Beach – Bowl (reef and point). The swell direction is right on the money from the southwest, and those long-period pulses will really wrap into the point. Thursday afternoon gets even better: 7ft SW, 16 sec, moderate energy still (2337), with a lighter 9 mph cross-off from the west. The conditions are excellent for advanced crew – the wave quality and consistency are top-notch.

Friday morning, August 14, keeps the momentum: 7ft SW at 16 seconds (2148), still with that gentle 9 mph cross-off. It’s a similar story – excellent for experienced surfers. Friday afternoon sees a slight drop to 6ft SW, 15 sec (1753), and the wind swings to a cross-shore from the southwest, so there’s a little cross-chop creeping in.

Saturday, August 15, the swell eases to 6ft but the period holds at 15 seconds. The morning has a light 6 mph cross-on from the south-southwest, so it’s a bit bumpy, and the energy is down to 1371. Still, it’s not terrible. The afternoon sees a lighter 3 mph breeze from the south-southeast, but it’s still cross-on. By Sunday, August 16, the swell drops to 4ft, period 14 seconds (600), and the wind is light and cross-on from the east. The surf is getting marginal.

Monday, August 17, is tiny – 3ft SW, 16 sec (556) – with light cross-on winds. It’s a real struggle. Tuesday, August 18, drops further to 2ft, with a moderate 12 mph cross-off from the north-northeast, but the energy is just 434. The surf is poor. That continues through to Wednesday, August 19, with 1ft and 15 sec period (79 energy) – it’s flat. Thursday, August 20, sees a tiny bump to 2ft and 3ft through the day, but still marginal.

Then, Friday, August 21, is a nice surprise: 3ft SW, 14 sec (359), with a glassy 3 mph cross-off from the west. The conditions are clean and there’s good surf to be had – small but fun. Saturday, August 22, the wind picks up to a fresh 19 mph offshore from the northwest, and the swell is 4ft, 14 sec (548). That offshore wind will keep it clean, but it’s still marginal with the tide. Sunday, August 23, is blown out with a strong 22 mph offshore, but the swell is only 3ft – poor.

Now, Monday, August 24, things get interesting again: a solid 4ft SW groundswell, 17 seconds (1517), with a moderate 16 mph offshore from the west-northwest. That’s a long-period groundswell with heaps of energy – the point will handle it beautifully. Tuesday, August 25, the morning is 4ft, 14 sec (860), but the afternoon sees a spike to 8ft SSW, 14 sec (2116), with a fresh 19 mph cross-off from the west-southwest. That’s big, powerful, and for experts only – the period is a bit shorter, so it’ll be a bit more walled up. Wednesday, August 26, is still big at 6ft-8ft, but the wind turns cross and cross-on, so it’s choppy.

The standout is definitely Thursday morning, August 13, through Friday morning, August 14 – that’s the best on offer. The long-period SW groundswell, clean cross-off winds, and the consistent quality at Bells Beach – Bowl (reef and point) are a treat. For the second week, Monday, August 24, with the 4ft 17-second groundswell and offshore wind is also a promising window, but it’s further out, so less certain.

Rusty.

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