Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 2,382 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period. 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Bells Beach – Bowl (Victoria). This reef and point break needs a good SW groundswell, and the water’s sitting at 56°, right about average for the season – no surprises.
We start off real quiet. Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th are flat with tiny 1ft to 2ft SW swells and cross-off winds. It’s poor surf – not worth the drive. There’s a couple days of nothing.
Things pick up Friday the 21st afternoon – a 2ft SW swell with a long 18-second period and gentle offshore WNW winds. Combined energy is moderate at 382. Clean, small, but a sign of better days.
The standout is this weekend. Saturday the 22nd morning hits 5ft from the SW, 16-second period, cross-off winds, and strong energy (1207). By afternoon it’s 5ft with light cross-off winds – excellent for experienced surfers. Then Sunday the 23rd afternoon is the absolute winner – glassy conditions, 5ft SW swell, 16-second period, and very strong energy (1391). Clean, offshore, all-time Bells. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so get in early.
Monday the 24th drops to 2ft to 3ft, clean but small. Tuesday the 25th brings a big 8ft SW swell but cross-shore winds make it messy – strong energy (2243), but only for experts. Wednesday the 26th is small and onshore.
Looking ahead, Friday the 28th has another strong pulse – 7ft to 7ft SW, 18-second period, moderate offshore winds, and very strong energy (2366 to 2591). That’s excellent but over a week away. Saturday the 29th has a 10ft SW swell but cross-onshore and choppy – no thanks. Sunday the 30th is smaller but still onshore.
The end of the run, Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September, look clean with 3ft to 3ft SW swells and light winds. Glassy on Thursday the 3rd of September morning with a 4ft SW swell and 17-second period – a nice clean finish.
Best on offer: Sunday the 23rd afternoon – glassy, 5ft SW, long period, strong energy. That’s the one. Saturday the 22nd afternoon is a close second. Friday the 28th afternoon is promising but less certain.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Wed morning, light winds from the WNW by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 15 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 109 | 85 | 54 | 69 | 163 | 163 | 224 | 194 | 844 | 1164 | 975 | 1059 | 787 | 989 | 346 | 169 | 288 | 363 | 1703 | 748 | 680 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 3:51PM1.88m | 4:41AM1.83m | 4:21PM1.80m | 5:20AM1.75m | 4:50PM1.71m | 6:00AM1.66m | 5:19PM1.62m | 6:47AM1.56m | 5:50PM1.52m | 7:46AM1.48m | 6:27PM1.43m | 9:06AM1.44m | 7:25PM1.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:16PM0.17m | 10:31AM0.63m | 10:50PM0.22m | 11:06AM0.74m | 11:24PM0.30m | 11:40AM0.86m | 00:01AM0.39m | 12:19PM0.97m | 00:44AM0.47m | 1:11PM1.07m | 1:38AM0.55m | 2:36PM1.14m | 2:51AM0.60m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | |  | | | | |  | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — |
mm | 5 | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 7 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 109 | 85 | 54 | 69 | 163 | 163 | 224 | 167 | 844 | 1164 | 975 | 1059 | 787 | 989 | 346 | 126 | 288 | 363 | 431 | 41 | 54 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ESE 7 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 18 | S 17 | SW 24 | SSW 22 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 5 | 54 | 49 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 194 | 6 | 22 | 45 | 97 | 312 | 380 | 248 | 169 | 15 | 49 | 93 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 7 | E 9 | E 8 | SW 7 | SW 20 | SW 7 | — | S 16 | — | S 15 | S 18 | S 17 | — | SW 21 | — | NNW 3 | S 14 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 60 | 21 | — | 21 | — | 40 | 25 | 22 | — | 18 | — | 1 | 16 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | NNE 5 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | N 3 | NNW 4 | WSW 3 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 46 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 1703 | 748 | 680 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 112 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 75 | 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.
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