Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 10 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
14.0° C
0.4° 

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 10 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 12,875 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m 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 5.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) 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 1.0m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Fri 10th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 15s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 14th Jul)16ft (5.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 1AM (Tue 14th Jul)16ft (5.0m) 16s

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


G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for your local stretch. The pattern over the next 16 days is a bit of a slow burn, but there’s a beautiful, powerful window that’s going to be the real deal for anyone who’s keen.

Straight up, the first surf worth getting excited about is at Bells Beach – Bowl. We’re looking at a building swell sequence starting from Friday, July 10. The early morning on Friday is a bit of a teaser with a clean 3ft swell from the SW, period a very long 15 seconds, and a light cross-off breeze. The combined energy is moderate (421). The water is sitting at 57°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year.

Friday afternoon drops a little to 3ft, still clean, but the real story starts from Sunday, July 12. The morning sees a 5ft SW groundswell (12 seconds) with a strong offshore wind from the NW – that’s a clean, lined-up look. The combined energy jumps to moderate (593). Sunday afternoon pushes to 5ft, and by Monday, July 13, we’re cooking. The morning of the 13th has a 8ft SW groundswell, period a very long 16 seconds, and a fresh offshore breeze. The combined energy is strong (2481). Monday afternoon is even meatier at 8ft and 2796 energy. This is proper, powerful Bells.

Now, the standout window. Tuesday, July 14, is the pick of the bunch. The morning has a 8ft SW groundswell, still with that very long 16-second period, and a gentle cross-off breeze. The combined energy is very strong (3260). Tuesday afternoon is a solid 7ft with glassy conditions, earning the “excellent for experienced surfers” tag. Wednesday, July 15, is still pumping with a 5ft SW groundswell and a gentle offshore wind, energy at 1155. This is big, clean, and classic Bells. For the experienced crew, this is as good as it gets.

After that, the swell drops off. Thursday, July 16, is still fun with a 4ft SSW swell and glassy conditions in the afternoon. The following week from Friday, July 17, through to Saturday, July 25, is a real mixed bag. We’ve got some smaller clean days and a few periods of messy, wind-affected conditions. The 17th is still decent with a 5ft SW groundswell and offshore winds, but from the 18th to the 21st, the swell drops below 3ft and the wind gets crossy and strong. There’s a gap from the 18th to the 21st where the surf is ordinary or poor. The 22nd and 23rd see a tiny, weak pulse with offshore winds, but the energy is weak (under 100-150). The run ends on the 24th and 25th with a small but clean 4ft SW groundswell and moderate offshore winds, which is a nice little finish but nothing compared to that mid-month bomb.

The absolute standout, the one you don’t miss, is Tuesday, July 14, into Wednesday, July 15. That’s your window for big, clean, powerful Bells. The swell is SW, which is optimum for the bowl, the period is very long, and the winds are light. It’s going to be clean, consistent, and there’s plenty of energy. Just remember, with that size over 8ft, this is expert territory only. The crowd is listed as “sometimes,” so expect a few others in the water, but it’s worth the paddle.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the NW by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Mon morning, light winds from the WNW by Wed afternoon).

Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
0
0
0
1
1
3
3
3
!
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SW
15
0.8
SW
15
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
1.4
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.8
SW
14
2.3
SW
16
2.4
SW
16
5
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.2
SW
16
1.9
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.5
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SSW
14
1.3
SSW
14
1.4
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
421
313
206
134
125
128
593
786
1233
2481
2796
12875
3260
2383
1547
1155
940
763
682
691
893
Wind (km/h)
10
NNW
5
NE
15
N
25
NNE
35
N
40
NW
40
NW
30
W
30
WNW
35
NW
30
WNW
20
WNW
15
WNW
15
WSW
15
NW
15
WNW
15
W
10
WNW
10
WNW
5
SSW
10
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
High Tide
5:54PM1.70m
7:30AM1.71m
6:39PM1.65m
8:40AM1.74m
7:35PM1.61m
9:55AM1.78m
8:45PM1.58m
11:07AM1.84m
10:05PM1.58m
12:09PM1.92m
11:25PM1.62m
1:04PM1.99m
00:38AM1.70m
Low Tide
12:10PM0.81m
00:39AM0.22m
1:09PM0.92m
1:34AM0.17m
2:18PM1.01m
2:38AM0.14m
3:38PM1.04m
3:48AM0.11m
4:58PM0.99m
4:59AM0.08m
6:08PM0.88m
6:06AM0.06m
7:07PM0.73m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:37
7:37
7:37
7:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:16
5:16
5:17
5:19
5:19
5:20
5:21
 mm
6
7
2
1
1
Temp °C
12
13
10
14
13
10
11
12
12
14
14
12
12
12
11
13
14
14
14
14
13
Feels °C
9
10
7
7
6
3
3
5
5
7
8
7
8
9
8
10
12
12
12
13
12
  • 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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