
Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, SW swell with 1,936 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 21s. 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 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
The main event is Bells Beach – Bowl (Victoria). It’s a reef and point setup that handles a good SW swell, and it’s going to see plenty of action. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no major surprises there.
We kick off on Friday the 31st of July. The morning brings a clean 4 ft SW swell with a 12-second period and a light cross-off breeze. The wave energy is moderate (371), and it’s looking like a decent session. The afternoon goes glassy with a 3 ft SSW swell and a 3 mph glassy wind – that’s a real treat for the arvo.
Saturday the 1st of August is where things get interesting. The morning is clean with a 2 ft SW swell, but the real standout is the afternoon. You’ve got a 5 ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period, clean cross-off wind, and the combined energy jumps to a massive 2097. That’s strong, powerful energy and the waves will have serious shape. This is the best session on offer – definitely for experienced surfers, as the power is up there.
Sunday the 2nd of August holds onto a 5 ft SW swell in the morning, but the wind picks up to 12 mph, making it a bit lumpy. The energy drops to 986, so it’s still rideable but not as clean. The afternoon is similar.
Monday the 3rd of August sees a 3 ft SW swell with a nice offshore wind, staying clean. The energy is moderate (767), and it’s a solid option for a wave.
Tuesday the 4th of August drops off. The morning has a 3 ft SW swell, but the wind swings cross-off and the quality fades. The afternoon turns messy with a 16 mph cross-shore and poor conditions – not worth paddling out.
Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th of August are small, with 2 ft SW swells and light winds. The energy is weak (266-383), so it’s more of a longboard or a quiet day.
Friday the 7th of August brings a 3 ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period and a light cross-off. The energy is 719, and it’s clean. The afternoon gets a bit chopped up with a cross-shore, but the morning is a good one.
Saturday the 8th of August is a write-off in the morning with poor conditions, but the afternoon cleans up with a 3 ft SW swell and a moderate offshore. It’s rideable, but not a stand-out.
Sunday the 9th of August shows a 4 ft SW swell, but the wind is howling at 16-19 mph. The energy is 1332, so there’s power, but the wind will make it messy. The afternoon is similar.
Now, here’s the second big highlight. Monday the 10th of August – the afternoon is special. You’ve got a 5 ft SW groundswell with a massive 18-second period, a moderate offshore wind, and the combined energy is 1427. The report says excellent conditions for experienced surfers, and I agree. That’s a proper session, but only for the skilled crew.
Tuesday the 11th of August has a 4 ft SW swell with a fresh offshore, but the wind is strong at 22 mph. It’s going to be a battle.
The second week is a bit mixed. Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th of August have smaller swells around 2 ft to 5 ft, with moderate energy and clean conditions at times, but nothing jumps out.
Friday the 14th of August – the morning has a 6 ft SW swell with a 19-second period and the combined energy is 2456. That’s very strong, but the wind is moderate and cross-off. This is big, powerful surf, only for experts. The afternoon is similar.
Saturday the 15th of August finishes the run with a 5 ft SW swell and 1082 energy, but the wind is cross-off. It’s okay, but the best days are definitely the 1st of August afternoon and the 10th of August afternoon.
Keep in mind the long-period swells (15-19 seconds) at Bells, which is a reef and point, so they’ll wrap in nicely and offer plenty of power, but the sets will be more spaced out. For the average punter, stick to the smaller, cleaner days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 7°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
341 | 299 | 255 | 309 | 1179 | 1318 | 940 | 720 | 558 | 418 | 459 | 203 | 197 | 169 | 861 | 208 | 206 | 238 | 248 | 242 | 455 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 1:28PM1.78m | 1:02AM1.46m | 2:00PM1.83m | 1:49AM1.54m | 2:29PM1.87m | 2:31AM1.62m | 2:56PM1.88m | 3:11AM1.69m | 3:22PM1.87m | 3:50AM1.75m | 3:48PM1.85m | 4:31AM1.80m | 4:16PM1.83m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:40PM0.80m | 7:16AM0.40m | 8:13PM0.68m | 7:56AM0.39m | 8:43PM0.56m | 8:34AM0.41m | 9:12PM0.45m | 9:09AM0.45m | 9:40PM0.35m | 9:45AM0.51m | 10:11PM0.26m | 10:22AM0.60m | 10:45PM0.19m | ||||||||
7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 |
341 | 299 | 255 | 196 | 1179 | 1318 | 940 | 720 | 558 | 418 | 459 | 203 | 197 | 169 | 161 | 208 | 206 | 238 | 248 | 242 | 455 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSE 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | WSW 17 | SW 20 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 6 | S 5 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SW 20 | SW 14 |
18 | 98 | 91 | 309 | 918 | 54 | 46 | 46 | 18 | 333 | 15 | 172 | 91 | 87 | 30 | 13 | 170 | 103 | 13 | 62 | 130 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 20 | S 14 | — | SSW 5 | — | — | SW 21 | SW 19 | S 5 | SSW 9 | S 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 |
12 | 12 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | 75 | 16 | — | 14 | — | — | 110 | 184 | 7 | 26 | 5 | 6 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NNE 4 | N 3 | N 3 | NW 3 | W 3 | — | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 8 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 7 | — | 94 | 91 | 861 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 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.











