Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Bells Beach - Bowl. This is a reef and point setup, exposed to the SW, so when she lines up, it’s a proper wave. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about spot on for this time of year, no real anomaly to speak of. The whole 16-day window’s a bit of a slow burn, but there’s a couple of standout moments if you’re patient.

The first few days are pretty lacklustre. Thursday and Friday the 20th and 21st have small, clean swell but it’s nothing to write home about – just knee-to-waist high stuff with combined energy around 128 to 396 (moderate). It’s surfable, but you’ll be working for it. The winds are offshore or cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but the size is just too ordinary.

Then, Saturday the 22nd of August, things get serious. A solid pulse of SW groundswell rolls in, pushing 12 ft, with a period of 14 to 15 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 6526 to 7167 (very strong). This is a big, powerful swell for Bells. The wind is cross-offshore from the WSW, so it’ll be a bit raw, but the bowl will be working. This is for advanced surfers only – over 8 ft is expert territory. The crowd profile is “sometimes,” so expect a few locals out, but it won’t be a circus. This is the standout session of the whole outlook.

Sunday the 23rd cleans up nicely. The swell drops to a still-chunky 5 ft, but the wind goes light offshore from the WNW, with periods around 14 to 16 seconds. The combined energy is still strong at 1181 to 1563. This is a cracking morning and afternoon – clean, long-period groundswell, perfect for the point. This is the second pick for the week.

After that, the following week is a mix of small, clean surf and some average days. Monday the 24th has a modest 4 ft under offshore NW winds, but it’s nothing to get excited about. Tuesday the 25th turns ugly with cross and cross-onshore winds, so give that a miss.

Wednesday the 26th of August offers a little window: glassy conditions in the morning with a 3 ft SW swell, period 14 seconds. It’s small but clean as a whistle. The combined energy is 418 (moderate). Could be a fun dawny if you’re keen.

The first week of September is a mixed bag. There’s a gap from the 27th to the 3rd where the surf is small, period drops, and winds are unfavourable. Then on Friday the 4th of September, we get another solid pulse: 6 ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period, combined energy 1552 (strong). Offshore NW winds, moderate breeze. This is a promising one, but it’s a week and a half away, so not locked in yet. Keep an eye on it.

Overall, the best on offer is the big SW swell on Saturday the 22nd of August for the charger, and the clean, lined-up 5 ft on Sunday the 23rd for the ripper. The rest is small or average.

Rusty.

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