Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
13.5°C
0.6° 

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 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s period, SSW swell with 2,171 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s is also forecast. 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 1.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy 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 (Sep 01) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Wed 26th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 13s
Best Surf10PM (Sun 30th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 17s
Most Powerful10PM (Sun 30th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, it’s Rusty here, having a good look at the 16-day outlook for Bells Beach – Bowl. This is a reef and point setup over at the Surf Coast, a spot that knows how to handle a proper SW groundswell. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but once it gets going, there’s some serious quality on the cards.

First up, Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are a write-off to begin with. Wednesday is a mess – cross and cross-onshore winds with poor surf, so don’t even bother. Thursday morning shows a little improvement with a clean 3 ft from the SSW, but the energy is weak (202), so it’s more of a paddle than a session. That glassy afternoon on Thursday with 2 ft is lovely for a longboard if you’re desperate, but it’s not the main event.

Friday the 28th has a bit of a tease. Morning sees a 3 ft SW swell with a very long period of 18 seconds, and combined energy of 719 (moderate), but it’s marginal. The wind is cross-off and clean, but the tide might mess with it. The afternoon turns choppy and cross-on – not worth hanging around for.

Now, the first standout arrives on Sunday the 30th. Early morning is glassy, with a 4 ft SSW swell at 13 seconds. The energy is solid (765) and it’s clean as a whistle. This is a proper session for anyone who knows the Bowl – the reef will handle that period well, and the lack of wind means you’ll be threading some clean lines. If you’re advanced, this is your window.

But the real gem is Monday the 31st of August. Both the morning and afternoon are absolute crackers. We’ve got a 6 ft SSW swell, 15-second period, and combined energy rocking 1332 in the morning and 1206 in the afternoon – that’s strong, powerful stuff. The wind is offshore or cross-off, light and clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The Bowl will be firing with that long-period groundswell, and the crowds are possible, so get in early. For a reef and point, that 15-second period is a dream – lots of energy, long walls, and easy paddling between sets.

Tuesday the 1st of September drops off a bit. Swell is down to 4 ft, and while the wind is fresh offshore, the energy is only moderate (662). It’s clean but not the highlight.

The next major shout comes on Friday the 4th of September. The afternoon is a beauty: 5 ft SW swell, 15-second period, and combined energy of 1769 – that’s strong. The wind is light and cross-off, making it clean. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is another day to circle.

Then, Saturday the 5th of September is a standout for the second week. Both morning and afternoon deliver 7 ft SSW swell with a 17 to 16-second period, and energy readings of 2686 and 2405 – that’s very strong, powerful groundswell. The wind is gentle offshore and clean. This is expert territory – over 8 ft towards the end of the day, but that 7 ft is still punchy. The Bowl will be handling it with authority, but it’s a session for the skilled. Crowds are possible, so don’t sleep on it.

Sunday the 6th of September has a 8 ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-off and fresh at 35 km/h. The energy is massive (3703), but it’s marginal – the wind might make it a bit lumpy, and that size is only for experts. If you’re not comfortable, stay out.

The tail end of the outlook, from the 7th to the 10th of September, holds some solid 5 ft to 7 ft SSW swells, but the wind is mostly fresh or cross-off, and the energy is strong to very strong. The 9th of September afternoon looks tidy with a 6 ft SSW swell, 15-second period, and moderate offshore wind – clean and excellent for experienced surfers. But the 10th of September morning is a washout with cross-shore chop and rain.

Overall, the best on offer is Monday the 31st of August and Saturday the 5th of September. The 31st has that perfect combo of clean, offshore wind and strong, long-period groundswell. The 5th is bigger and more powerful, but still offshore and clean. For the advanced surfer, these are the ones to chase. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so you won’t need a steamer unless you’re fussy.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
2
2
2
2
2
0
3
2
0
2
3
2
4
4
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SW
15
1
SSW
12
1.2
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
10
0.8
SSW
11
0.3
SW
21
0.8
SW
14
0.8
SW
18
1.2
SW
17
1.1
SW
16
1
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
1
SSW
13
1.3
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
17
1.8
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
15
1.5
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
255
260
458
134
133
86
221
442
822
644
412
293
357
624
673
1777
1332
1206
1074
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
15
SW
20
SSW
10
WNW
10
WNW
5
WSW
15
WNW
15
WSW
15
SSW
10
W
10
W
20
SSW
10
W
5
WSW
10
S
5
WSW
10
NNE
10
NW
15
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
10:33AM1.47m
9:05PM1.28m
11:36AM1.55m
10:46PM1.32m
12:19PM1.63m
11:57PM1.42m
12:53PM1.70m
00:50AM1.55m
1:23PM1.76m
1:34AM1.69m
1:52PM1.81m
2:14AM1.81m
Low Tide
2:51AM0.60m
4:31PM1.11m
4:11AM0.61m
5:46PM1.00m
5:20AM0.57m
6:30PM0.86m
6:15AM0.52m
7:03PM0.71m
7:00AM0.47m
7:34PM0.55m
7:40AM0.45m
8:04PM0.40m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:47
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:57
5:58
5:59
 mm
Temp °C
12
13
12
10
13
14
12
12
13
10
12
12
9
13
13
11
17
20
14
Feels °C
9
9
7
7
11
12
10
9
10
8
9
8
7
12
11
10
15
18
11
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  • 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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