Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, WSW swell with 2,553 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bells Beach - Bowl in the next 16 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Bells Beach - Bowl.
Alright, we’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, starting Saturday morning, August 29. The early part of the period is the pick of it, with some nice SW groundswell rolling in. Saturday morning sees clean 4ft waves from the SW with a 14-second period, and the water’s sitting at 56°, which is about average for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (470). Sunday morning bumps up a touch to 5ft from the SSW, still clean, and the energy’s building (835). Then Monday, August 31, is a real standout – glassy conditions with a 5ft SW swell, 14-second period, and the energy’s getting strong (1063). That’s going to be a beauty of a session for those who can handle it, though it’s a reef and point, so it’s only for advanced surfers.
Now, Tuesday (September 1) gets a bit tricky. The morning is cross-off with a 5ft SW swell, but the wind’s picking up. The afternoon cleans up with a moderate offshore breeze, but the swell drops to 4ft. Wednesday morning (September 2) sees a big jump – 8ft from the WSW, 14-second period, and the energy is very strong (3130). That’s a big one, but it’s only for experts. The afternoon drops back to 4ft. Thursday (September 3) has a 6ft SW swell in the morning with offshore winds – excellent for experienced surfers, energy at 1179 (strong). The afternoon is 6ft but with rain showers around.
The second week starts to get a bit wild. Friday (September 4) is still clean with 5-5ft SW swells, but the wind is moderate offshore. Saturday (September 5) we see a 8ft SW swell in the morning, building to a massive 10ft in the afternoon, with energy hitting 4876 (very strong). That’s only for the hardcore, and the cross-off wind will keep it clean but fat. Sunday (September 6) drops back to 5ft, but the wind is getting strong – 30 km/h offshore in the morning, 40 km/h in the afternoon. That’s clean but hard to paddle into. Monday (September 7) stays similar with 4-5ft swells.
Then things turn rough. Tuesday (September 8) is a write-off – cross-on wind, lumpy, poor conditions. Wednesday (September 9) bounces back with a solid 7ft SSW swell in the morning, 19-second period – very long period groundswell that will be tricky at the point but likely to reel. Energy is 3784 (very strong). The afternoon is 7ft with glassy conditions – that’s a top session for experienced surfers. Thursday (September 10) is also excellent: 6ft SW in the morning, 7ft SSW in the afternoon, both clean. Friday (September 11) winds down with 5ft and 3ft swells. Saturday (September 12) has a 6ft SSW swell in the morning, then a 4ft SSW swell in the afternoon with a 20-second period – that’s very long period, again better for the point than a beach break. Sunday (September 13) finishes the period with smaller 4ft and 3ft swells.
The absolute best on offer? Monday, August 31, with glassy conditions and a solid 5ft SW swell – that’s your session. Then Wednesday, September 9, afternoon, with 7ft and almost no wind – that’s a standout for the experts. Bells is a consistent spot, so there’s always something, but the crowds are possible, so get there early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
466 | 469 | 465 | 669 | 845 | 895 | 857 | 672 | 1271 | 871 | 566 | 341 | 2553 | 743 | 1229 | 1179 | 1253 | 816 | 754 | 1074 | 1314 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 12:53PM1.70m | 00:50AM1.55m | 1:23PM1.76m | 1:34AM1.69m | 1:52PM1.81m | 2:14AM1.81m | 2:20PM1.83m | 2:52AM1.90m | 2:48PM1.85m | 3:31AM1.96m | 3:17PM1.85m | 4:11AM1.96m | 3:49PM1.84m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:03PM0.71m | 7:00AM0.47m | 7:34PM0.55m | 7:40AM0.45m | 8:04PM0.40m | 8:17AM0.45m | 8:34PM0.26m | 8:53AM0.47m | 9:06PM0.15m | 9:29AM0.52m | 9:40PM0.08m | 10:05AM0.60m | 10:18PM0.05m | ||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
466 | 469 | 465 | 669 | 845 | 895 | 857 | 672 | 1271 | 871 | 566 | 341 | 572 | 743 | 1229 | 1179 | 1253 | 816 | 754 | 1074 | 1314 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | E 9 | SW 22 | SW 20 | SSW 20 | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | — | SW 17 | S 16 | — | S 16 | — | — | — | — | S 17 | S 15 |
4 | 2 | 18 | 98 | 39 | — | 190 | 470 | 844 | — | — | 148 | 5 | — | 44 | — | — | — | — | 51 | 40 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 23 | — | S 15 | S 15 | — | S 14 | — | — | — | — | S 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 11 | — | 68 | 17 | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NW 4 | NW 3 | WSW 14 | — | WNW 3 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 4 | N 5 |
— | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 14 | 2 | 2553 | — | 6 | — | — | — | 3 | 10 | 11 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 233 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











