Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 30 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
13.7°C
0.7° 

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 30 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 5,950 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period with SSW 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. 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 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 4PM. 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 (Sep 05) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sun 30th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 14s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 31st Aug)5ft (1.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 4PM (Thu 3rd Sep)13ft (4.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here. We've got a solid run of surf coming up at the Bowl, so let's get straight into it.

The water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year – nothing weird going on there. The coming days are looking good.

Sunday the 30th kicks off with a clean 5ft SSW swell, 13 seconds, and a light 3 mph W wind making it cross-off. The combined energy is moderate at (795). The morning is the pick, with very good surf conditions. The arvo turns a bit ordinary with a cross-on breeze.

Monday the 31st is where it starts to get really interesting. Monday morning is glassy with a 5ft SW groundswell, 14-second period, and a light NNW breeze. It's proper clean. Monday afternoon, though, is the absolute standout of this entire outlook. The swell jumps to 5ft of pure SW groundswell at a very long 15-second period, with glassy conditions from a light SE wind. The energy is pumping at (1161). This is a top-shelf window for experienced surfers at the Bowl – long-period SW groundswell, glassy conditions, it doesn't get much better.

Tuesday the 1st of September the wind gets up to 20 mph from the NNW, making it cross-off. The swell drops a bit to 4ft. It's not terrible, but definitely not the clean perfection of Monday. Wednesday the 2nd has more of the same SW groundswell through the day, with the afternoon picking up to 5ft at 15 seconds and a moderate offshore wind from the WNW. That's another excellent window for experienced crew.

Now, Thursday the 3rd of September is the next big one to circle. The morning is a bit messy with rain showers, but the arvo is where things go wild. We're looking at 13ft of SW swell, 14-second period, with a cross-off breeze. The combined energy is massive at (8070). This is big, powerful groundswell. For the Bowl, that's expert territory only. Over 8ft and it's a beast.

Friday the 4th of September the swell eases back from the peak. The morning still has a solid 7ft SW swell at 15 seconds, with a light cross-off wind, so clean conditions for experienced surfers. It's a solid follow-up day. Saturday the 5th of September morning stays clean with a 5ft SW swell, but the arvo turns ugly with 22 mph SW cross-shore wind and a lumpy 10ft swell. That's a skate-and-wreck session.

Sunday the 6th of September the wind turns offshore again from the NW and the swell settles back to a clean 4ft to 5ft range. Good, clean fun. From Monday the 7th of September, the swell drops right off for a few days with tiny 3ft to 4ft waves and light winds. It's not a complete flat spell, but it's small.

Then, Thursday the 10th of September brings another highlight. The afternoon session sees a 8ft SW swell, 13-second period, with a gentle cross-off breeze from the WSW. The energy is a solid (2423), and the conditions are clean. That's a great window for experienced surfers.

Saturday the 12th of September morning is glassy again with a 4ft SW swell, 14-second period. A beautiful, clean morning for a paddle. After that, into the second week, it's a classic run of smaller, cleaner SW swell with light offshores or cross-off winds through to the 14th of September. Nothing massive, but plenty of clean, rideable waves for anyone who knows the Bowl.

All in all, Monday 31st August afternoon is the unmissable session – glassy, long-period, clean perfection. Circle Thursday 3rd of September arvo for the big, powerful expert session.

Stay stoked,
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the NW by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu night, fresh winds from the NNW by Fri night).

Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
3
3
4
4
1
1
2
2
4
3
2
8
4
4
3
1
2
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SSW
13
1.5
SSW
14
1.5
SSW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.4
SW
15
1.6
SW
16
1.2
SW
16
1
SW
15
1.1
SW
14
1.3
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.8
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
4
SW
14
2.4
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
1.9
SW
15
1.5
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
3
SW
11
1.7
SSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
669
845
895
857
881
1255
702
429
453
803
1105
1343
1215
5950
2629
1962
1526
966
1123
2189
769
Wind (km/h)
5
W
15
S
5
WNW
5
NNW
5
SE
10
NNW
30
NNW
30
NW
25
W
20
WNW
20
WNW
25
NW
25
WNW
20
WSW
10
NW
10
NNW
20
NNW
25
N
30
W
35
SW
10
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
glassy
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
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
4:54AM1.92m
4:24PM1.81m
Low Tide
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
10:44AM0.69m
11:00PM0.07m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:47
6:46
6:43
6:43
6:41
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:02
6:02
 mm
3
2
1
13
1
Temp °C
13
12
10
13
13
12
19
19
15
14
14
14
15
15
11
17
19
13
13
13
11
Feels °C
11
10
9
12
12
10
12
13
10
8
9
9
9
10
7
13
15
6
6
6
6
  • 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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