Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of swell on the way for Bells Beach – Bowl, but the conditions are a real mixed bag. The standout period is the middle of next week and then again toward the end of the second week. Let’s get into it.

The water temperature is sitting around 57° – that’s just about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Thursday September 3rd kicks off with a big, strong SW groundswell – 13ft to 15ft, with a long 14-second period and very high combined energy (8327 to 9147). That’s serious power. But the wind is a cross-off from the WSW to W at 12 to 16 mph, so it’ll be clean but pretty heavy. This is advanced territory – too big for beginners, only for experts. The morning is the pick, but it’s still marginal with that rain shower.

Friday September 4th looks much better. The swell drops to a solid 7ft, still from the SW, but the period stretches out to a very clean 16 seconds (groundswell). Combined energy is still strong at 2357. The wind swings to a light offshore NW at 9 mph – glassy, clean, excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is a genuine standout. The bowl should be offering up long, powerful lines. Keep in mind, the long period might make it a bit straight at the peak, but a reef setup like this handles it beautifully. Crowds are possible here.

Saturday September 5th gets messy. The swell holds around 5ft to 7ft, 15-second period, but the wind ramps up to a strong offshore WNW at 25 mph in the morning – too strong to paddle into comfortably. Afternoon goes cross-off with 22 mph. Not worth it.

Sunday September 6th drops right off – 4ft, SSW direction, 12-second period. Combined energy is just 738. Morning is clean with light cross-off wind, but it’s small. Afternoon turns cross-on and choppy. A rest day.

Monday September 7th is tiny – 3ft in the morning, clean but weak. Then a messy 6ft cross-on chop in the afternoon. Skip it.

Tuesday September 8th is a highlight. The swell builds to 5ft from the SSW, but the period jumps to a very long 18 seconds – that’s pure groundswell energy, with combined energy of 2293. The wind is dead calm – 3 mph cross-off, clean as glass. This is a standout session for experienced surfers. The sets will be widely spaced but powerful. Crowds are possible, but the quality will be worth it.

Wednesday September 9th goes backward. Moderate cross-on wind with 6ft to 10ft SSW swell, the afternoon has 21-second period and combined energy of 7019 – but the wind is moderate cross-on and choppy. Poor surf quality.

Thursday September 10th – still solid swell, 10ft in the morning from the SSW at 18 seconds, combined energy 4876. But the wind is cross-shore, making it lumpy. Not ideal.

Friday September 11th to Saturday September 12th – swell backs right off to 3ft to 5ft, weak energy. Clean enough at times, but tiny.

Sunday September 13th – windy and tiny, offshore NW at 22 mph but only 3ft. Not surfable.

Monday September 14th – small but clean again, 5ft, light cross-off. Marginal.

Tuesday September 15th – the morning brings a nice offshore WNW wind at 16 mph and a 5ft SW swell at 18 seconds, combined energy 1445. Clean and promising for the experienced crowd. Afternoon turns onshore and messy.

Wednesday September 16th – morning glassy offshore with 4ft, 15-second SW swell. Combined energy 704, but the wind is gentle offshore – clean and fun for the more skilled. A solid session for those who don’t need big size.

Thursday September 17th – real clean. 4ft SSW swell, 13-second period, light NNW cross-off in the morning then offshore in the afternoon. Combined energy around 567 – small but beautifully clean. Good for a longboard or a funboard.

Friday September 18th – picks up again. 7ft SSW swell, 16-second period, combined energy 1930. Morning cross-off, then afternoon turns offshore NNW. Clean, punchy, and promising for experienced surfers. A nice way to wrap the outlook.

Best on offer: Friday September 4th morning and Tuesday September 8th morning. Both have clean offshore wind – or glassy calm – with solid long-period groundswell and excellent conditions for those who can handle it.

Rusty.

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