
Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, SW swell with 2,018 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 14s is also forecast. 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 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for the next couple of weeks.
First up, the water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing to worry about there. The first surf we can really talk about is Wednesday morning the 5th at Bells Beach - Bowl (reef and point). It's not much to write home about though, with a 5ft swell from the SW and a short 8-second period, the energy is moderate (639), but it's a bit weak and the cross-offshore wind doesn't help. Honestly, that morning is marginal and a bit of a letdown for such a classic spot.
The afternoon drops right off to a tiny 2ft. There's a gap here where the surf just isn't worth mentioning. We pick up again on Thursday the 6th, but it's still only 2ft. The wind turns offshore and clean, which is nice, but the wave energy is weak (221). Friday the 7th is where it starts to get a little more interesting. We’ve got a clean 3ft SW groundswell, and the afternoon turns glassy with a 15-second period. The energy is moderate (651) and it's setting up to be a really pleasant session. That’s a solid option for a wave that’s clean and easy to read, especially for those who know the bank.
Saturday the 8th holds similar 4ft SW swell, but the wind goes a bit wonky in the afternoon. Still, the morning should be fine. Then we hit a bit of a lull on Sunday the 9th with strong winds and rain, and the swell drops to nothing. Avoid that day.
Now, here’s the standout. Monday the 10th. The morning shows a clean 4ft SW groundswell with a very long 19-second period and moderate offshore wind. The energy jumps to strong (1378). That's a serious groundswell for Bells. It’s going to be clean, powerful, and those long lines will be running down the point. The afternoon bumps up to 6ft with energy hitting 3740. That's very strong. This is expert territory by the afternoon, but for those who can handle it, it will be the best day of the window so far. Tuesday the 11th still has 4ft, but the conditions get a bit more mixed with stronger wind.
Then things get big. Wednesday the 12th has a 6ft SW swell, but the wind is howling at 28 mph. That's going to be hard work, and the conditions are marginal. Thursday the 13th is even bigger, with a 10ft SW swell and a long 17-18 second period. The energy is extreme (6251). That is massive. It's too big for most and will only be for experts. The cross-offshore wind will keep it clean but make no mistake, this is a serious, serious day.
Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th still have solid 7ft to 7ft SW swell, and while the conditions are clean, it's still big and will require some skill. The 15th morning looks particularly good with lighter winds and 7ft. The next week, from the 16th onward, the swell drops back down to the 3ft to 4ft range, with good periods and clean conditions. Monday the 17th afternoon looks glassy and inviting. Tuesday the 18th morning also has a clean 3ft with a long 17-second period.
Overall, if you’re picking one day, it has to be Monday the 10th. That combination of long-period SW groundswell, offshore wind, and building energy is the real deal. Thursday the 13th is for the hardcore only.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the W by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | SW 8 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
727 | 284 | 167 | 147 | 203 | 201 | 297 | 480 | 432 | 588 | 567 | 595 | 297 | 162 | 96 | 432 | 1268 | 2018 | 1185 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 3:50AM1.75m | 3:48PM1.85m | 4:31AM1.80m | 4:16PM1.83m | 5:15AM1.81m | 4:48PM1.80m | 6:04AM1.79m | 5:24PM1.75m | 7:02AM1.74m | 6:09PM1.69m | 8:12AM1.69m | 7:06PM1.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:45AM0.51m | 10:11PM0.26m | 10:22AM0.60m | 10:45PM0.19m | 11:02AM0.70m | 11:24PM0.14m | 11:46AM0.81m | 00:11AM0.13m | 12:38PM0.93m | 1:07AM0.16m | 1:45PM1.02m | 2:14AM0.21m | |||||||
— | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 8 | SW 14 | SSW 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
246 | 150 | 167 | 50 | 203 | 201 | 297 | 480 | 432 | 588 | 567 | 595 | 297 | 162 | 85 | 291 | 1268 | 2018 | 1185 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 15 | S 6 | SW 13 | SW 7 | S 8 | SW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | — | ESE 16 | E 4 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 21 | SW 10 | SW 17 | S 16 |
50 | 107 | 21 | 106 | 13 | 5 | 54 | 36 | 36 | 14 | — | 25 | 1 | 13 | 96 | 432 | 110 | 1722 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 17 | S 8 | E 9 | SW 14 | S 16 | SW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 24 | — | ESE 10 | — | — |
55 | 98 | 166 | 147 | 5 | 2 | 74 | 5 | 183 | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | — | 9 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 8 | SW 9 | — | NNW 2 | WNW 3 | SW 7 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | WSW 9 | WNW 4 | NW 4 | N 3 |
727 | 284 | 76 | — | 1 | 3 | 176 | — | — | — | 7 | — | 5 | 70 | 92 | 173 | 15 | 10 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 29 | 169 | 29 | 358 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











