Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,820 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period. 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for the next couple of weeks.
Alright, straight up, the first few days are a bit of a write-off. We’ve got some swell around, but the conditions just aren’t cooperating. It’s not until Friday the 18th that things really start to click. The standout window is going to be that Friday the 18th and into the following week, with a solid pulse of long-period groundswell.
The first real call to get excited about is Friday, September 18th. The Bowl at Bells Beach is looking prime. We’ve got a solid 6ft swell out of the SSW, and that period is a dreamy 18 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is pumping at 2568 (moderate), and with a moderate offshore wind out of the NW, it’s going to be clean and lined up. This is one for the experienced crew though, as it’s an advanced break and the swell is right in the sweet spot. The water temp is sitting around 57°, which is about a degree and a half warmer than normal for this time of year – a nice little surprise.
After that, Saturday the 19th is a nice little step down, but still fun. The swell drops to 4ft from the SW with 14-second periods, and the offshore NW wind hangs around at 12 mph. It’ll be clean and a bit more manageable, but the energy is lower (515).
Now, if you can hold out, Monday, September 21st is another absolute gem. This might be the best of the whole run. The Bowl will see a 7ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, and get this – the wind goes glassy. Glassy conditions at Bells. That’s a rare treat. The combined energy is up at 1576 (moderate), making for some powerful, clean walls. This is an expert-only day with that size and the consistency, but if you’re up for it, it’s going to be world-class.
Tuesday the 22nd keeps the run going with another 7ft SW groundswell (16-second period) and a clean offshore breeze. That’s three days in a row of excellent conditions for experienced surfers.
We then see a bit of a drop-off mid-week, with smaller swell and cross-shore winds spoiling the party. The end of the period, around Thursday the 24th afternoon, shows a late pulse of 8ft from the WSW, but with strong offshore winds (16 mph), it might be a bit bumpy for paddling. The final weekend, the 27th and 28th, has some size but the wind is all over the shop, so it’s not the clean call the mid-week was.
In short: Mark your calendar for the 18th, the 19th, and absolutely the 21st of September. That’s the magic window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Sun night, fresh winds from the SW by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 465 | 255 | 147 | 111 | 49 | 1886 | 2233 | 2643 | 3820 | 2542 | 1898 | 1057 | 814 | 742 | 1682 | 1390 | 928 | 500 | 290 | 363 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:32AM1.89m | 1:38PM1.84m | 2:15AM1.97m | 2:13PM1.85m | 2:55AM1.99m | 2:45PM1.84m | 3:31AM1.96m | 3:16PM1.80m | 4:07AM1.90m | 3:46PM1.74m | 4:42AM1.81m | 4:15PM1.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:14PM0.33m | 7:38AM0.43m | 7:53PM0.21m | 8:19AM0.45m | 8:29PM0.14m | 8:56AM0.49m | 9:03PM0.13m | 9:30AM0.55m | 9:37PM0.16m | 10:03AM0.63m | 10:09PM0.23m | 10:34AM0.72m | 10:42PM0.31m | |||||||
 |  | | | |  |  | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 23 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 20 | 18 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 16 | 10 | 19 | 19 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | — | — | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 465 | 255 | 147 | 111 | 24 | 951 | — | — | 2542 | 2542 | 1898 | 1057 | 814 | 742 | 1682 | 1390 | 928 | 500 | 290 | 363 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 3 | SW 20 | WSW 6 | SW 18 | SW 15 | — | — | — | S 15 | S 15 | — | — | SSW 22 | SW 18 | SW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | — | NNE 4 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 15 | 3 | 49 | 149 | — | — | — | 72 | 41 | — | — | 45 | 799 | 757 | 39 | 15 | — | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 14 | SW 19 | S 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | S 17 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 14 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 46 | 87 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | — | — | — | SW 7 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | — | — | — | SW 4 | — | NNW 3 | — | NNW 3 | N 4 | NNW 4 | NW 2 |
| kJ | 5 | — | — | — | 25 | 1886 | 2233 | 2643 | 3820 | — | — | — | 34 | — | 3 | — | 5 | 10 | 34 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 519 | 752 | 294 | 748 | 200 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
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.
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