Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. The next couple of weeks have some real interest for those who know how to handle a proper reef and point set-up. We’re talking about the Bowl at Bells Beach, and while there’s a bit of a slow start, the back half of the forecast starts to fire.

Overall Pattern:
We’ve got a long period SW groundswell pushing in, with the energy really building from the 22nd onward. The first few days are small and only worth a paddle if you’re desperate, but don’t bother. The real action kicks off next weekend and carries through into the start of September. The water temp is sitting at 56.1°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

Breakdown:

The early part of the week is a write-off from the 18th through the 20th – tiny swell, gusty cross-off winds from the NNE and the water is flat. Don’t bother paddling out, you’ll just get frustrated.

Thursday the 20th sees a tiny 1.3 ft SW swell but with a nice offshore NW breeze in the morning, so it’s glassy and clean. Still, the combined energy is only 135, so it’s weak. You might get a longboard session in, but that’s about it.

Friday the 21st is similar – 2.3 ft to 2.0 ft SW swell, clean but weak energy (302 to 383). It’s surfable but nothing to get excited about.

Now, Saturday the 22nd is where the chart starts to get interesting. The swell jumps to 5.6 ft in the morning from the SW, period of 16 seconds, and the energy rockets up to 1428 – that’s a solid, moderate-to-strong push. The wind is light WNW, and while it’s cross-off, the afternoon conditions get the nod with a 5.2 ft swell, light W wind, and 1167 energy. This is proper reef-swell territory. The Bowl will be handling that long period groundswell beautifully, but keep in mind that with a 16-second period, the sets are widely spaced and it’s going to break a bit straight on a beach, but on that point and reef, it’ll line up clean. This is for experienced surfers only – it’s pushing 5.6 ft, so it’s too big for beginners.

Sunday the 23rd is the standout. Morning sees a 4.6 ft SW swell with a 14-second period, offshore WNW wind at 9 mph, and a combined energy of 1140. That offshore breeze will have the Bowl’s faces smooth, and the afternoon is even better with the same 4.6 ft swell, 16-second period, and a massive 1520 energy. This is excellent, clean surf for experienced surfers. Crowds are sometimes an issue at Bells, so you’ll want to get out early for the dawn patrol.

Monday the 24th is still very good. A morning 3.6 ft SW swell with a moderate offshore NW breeze at 12 mph, energy at 510. The afternoon drops to 3.3 ft but stays clean with a WNW offshore. Not quite as punchy as the weekend, but still a solid session.

From Tuesday the 25th, things get a bit messy. A southerly change brings cross-onshore winds and a lumpy 3.0 ft to 7.2 ft swell, but the wind is off for paddle surfing. The 7.2 ft afternoon on the 25th is big but with a 12-second period and onshore wind, it’s a choppy mess. Kite surfers might have a field day, but it’s not for us paddle guys.

Wednesday the 26th sees a drop back to 3.0 ft SSW swell with cross-off NNE winds, energy low at 315. Dribbly.

Thursday the 27th is a write-off with fresh onshore winds and rain, small swell.

Friday the 28th is poor – south-southwest cross-onshore wind, 3.9 ft swell but choppy and lumpy. Don’t bother.

Now, Saturday the 29th is a beast but tricky. A massive 11.5 ft SW swell rolls in with the period backed to 13 seconds, and the energy is a whopping 5697 – that’s very strong. But the wind is onshore from the SE at only 6 mph, so it’s light but onshore. This is strictly for experts only, and even then, that size at the Bowl with an onshore wind will be a washing machine. Only the

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