Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
14.1° 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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 8,119 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 4.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Mon 20th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 16s
Best Surf 4AM (Sun 26th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 1AM (Fri 24th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for the next couple of weeks. For the first few days, it’s pretty quiet, but don’t write it off – there’s a solid pulse of swell coming in that’ll get the blood pumping. We’ve got a gap of a couple of days with nothing worth paddling out for, but after that, it’s game on.

We start off Monday, July 20th, with a bit of a letdown. Bells Beach – Bowl (that reef and point setup) has some tiny 1.6–2 ft SW groundswell, with a 15–16 second period, so it’s long and juicy, but the wave energy is weak (191 in the morning, 131 in the arvo). The wind is clean, cross-off to offshore, but the swell is just too small to get excited about. It’s surfable, but honestly, it’s a skunk session.

Tuesday, July 21st, things start to brighten up. The swell bumps to 2.6–3 ft from the SW, still with a solid 13–14 second period. The energy ramps up to moderate (317 and 208), and we’ve got gentle offshore NW winds both morning and arvo. The waves are clean, and the bowl will be offering a few more shoulders to work with. It’s not a standout, but it’s a good sign.

Then Wednesday, July 22nd, the wind picks up a bit. The morning is offshore with a WNW breeze at 15 mph, but the swell is only 2.3 ft. The arvo gets interesting though – a 4.6 ft SW swell with a 10 second period, and the energy jumps to 668 (moderate). The wind shifts to a cross-off W breeze, so it’s clean, but the shorter period means it’s a bit lumpy. Not a classic, but it’s building.

Now, Thursday, July 23rd – this is where it gets proper. A solid 9.8–11.5 ft SW groundswell rolls in, with a 14 second period, and the energy is huge (7079 and 5120). This is big, powerful surf. The wind is a cross-off W to WSW at 12–18 mph, so it’s clean, but the swell is over 8 ft, so this is expert territory only. The bowl will be handling it, but it’s a beast. For the average punter, this is a day to watch from the cliffs.

Friday, July 24th, the swell drops a touch to 7.9–8.2 ft, swinging more to the SSW with a 15–16 second period. The energy is still very strong (3544 and 2669). The wind is offshore WNW in the arvo, so the waves will be clean and powerful. Still big, still for experts only.

Saturday, July 25th, the swell holds at 11.5 ft from the SW, with a 12–13 second period. The energy is massive (6152 and 4652). The cross-off W wind keeps it clean, but again, this is too big for anyone who isn’t dialled in. The bowl’s exposed reef and point will be pumping, but it’s a serious session.

Sunday, July 26th, we start to see the swell drop off. 3.6–4.3 ft SSW swell, 12 second period, with light offshore WNW winds in the arvo. The energy is moderate (464 and 320). It’s clean, and the bowl starts to become more accessible. A good day for a solid intermediate to get amongst it.

Monday, July 27th, is a real highlight. The swell is 4.6–5.2 ft from the SW, with a 11–12 second period, and the energy is moderate to strong (453 and 811). The morning is clear with a gentle offshore WNW breeze, and the arvo is even better – clear skies, NW offshore at 9 mph. The waves are clean, the bowl is offering up some nice lines. This is the pick of the first week: a proper sweet spot of size, wind, and

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
3
7
4
8
3
3
7
5
4
2
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.6
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
1.4
SW
10
1.8
SW
14
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
4.5
SW
15
2.5
SSW
16
2.4
SSW
15
4.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
13
3.5
SW
12
1.6
SSW
12
1.3
SSW
12
1.1
SW
12
1
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
161
107
171
317
208
138
144
377
1267
5453
3232
8119
3417
2547
6650
4480
3422
734
464
309
237
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
10
NNW
10
NW
15
NW
15
NNW
20
NW
25
WNW
15
W
15
W
20
W
30
WSW
25
WSW
25
WNW
35
WNW
25
W
25
W
20
W
20
WSW
15
WNW
10
WNW
15
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
High Tide
3:51PM1.99m
4:25AM1.80m
4:26PM1.92m
5:13AM1.75m
4:59PM1.82m
6:00AM1.69m
5:30PM1.72m
6:48AM1.62m
6:02PM1.61m
7:41AM1.55m
6:37PM1.52m
8:44AM1.51m
7:19PM1.43m
Low Tide
10:13PM0.24m
10:20AM0.48m
10:53PM0.23m
11:01AM0.63m
11:32PM0.26m
11:41AM0.76m
00:10AM0.32m
12:23PM0.89m
00:50AM0.38m
1:11PM1.00m
1:35AM0.44m
2:12PM1.09m
2:29AM0.49m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:33
7:33
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:23
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:28
 mm
3
1
1
1
Temp °C
13
14
11
13
14
12
14
11
9
10
11
11
11
11
13
14
14
13
13
14
12
Feels °C
9
11
8
10
11
8
9
7
5
2
3
5
4
4
8
9
9
8
10
11
10
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • 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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