Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 9,395 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bells Beach - Bowl in the next 16 days are 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 7PM. 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 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Gather round, crew. Rusty here with a look at the next few weeks for the Bells stretch. We’ve got a solid run of swell on the way, but you’ll need to pick your moments with the wind.
The overall pattern is this: a powerful pulse of SW groundswell arrives late in the month and into September, with some absolute standouts for the experienced crew. The energy hitting the coast is significant, with combined swell readings climbing well into the moderate to strong range. The first few days of September, however, bring a strong NW wind that will mess up the morning surface, but the afternoons clean up nicely. The real gem is early on, with a glassy day before the wind kicks in.
We kick off on Monday the 31st of August at Bells Beach – Bowl (reef and point). The water is sitting at 56.3°F – about average for the time of year. Morning has clean, glassy conditions with a light NW air and a solid 4.9ft SSW swell, period hanging around 14 seconds. That’s a groundswell with some real push, and the combined energy is pumping at 1099 – moderate but with intent. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon stays glassy with an ESE breeze and a 4.6ft SW swell, period stretching to 15 seconds and energy up to 1161. A beautiful day, and you’ll have some company – crowds are sometimes an issue here.
Tuesday the 1st of September sees a shift. Morning swell drops to 3.9ft SW at 16 seconds, but a strong 15.5 mph NNW cross-offshore breeze has the surface clean. The energy drops to 744, but it’s still a long-period groundswell – perfect for this reef setup. The afternoon picks up a 3.3ft SW swell with a 15.5 mph NW offshore, clean and rideable. Worth a look if you missed Monday.
Wednesday the 2nd has a 4.3ft SW swell in the morning with a 12.4 mph W cross-off, clean but the energy is moderate at 854. The afternoon is the better call: 5.2ft SW at 16 seconds with a 9.3 mph WNW offshore, energy surging to 1169. That’s the kind of clean, lined-up wave this place is famous for.
Thursday the 3rd gets heavy. Morning is a 6.9ft SW swell at 14 seconds, but a 21.7 mph W cross-off keeps it clean. Energy is 1787 – strong. The afternoon is the standout of the whole window: 11.5ft SW swell, 14 second period, and the energy is an impressive 7534. This is big, powerful groundswell. The wind is 18.6 mph W cross-off, so it’s clean, but at 11.5ft this is for experts only. If you’re not comfortable in heavy, ledgey waves, sit this one out. This is the best wave of the outlook for those with the skills.
Friday the 4th eases a touch. Morning has a 6.9ft SW swell at 15 seconds with a 12.4 mph NNW offshore, energy at 1875. Excellent conditions. The afternoon drops to 5.9ft but the wind swings 15.5 mph NNW cross-off, still clean.
The weekend gets messy. Saturday the 5th is 7.2ft SW in the morning with a 21.7 mph W cross-off – strong wind, strong swell, but the surface stays clean. Energy 1999. The afternoon is 9.8ft SW at 16 seconds, wind 18.6 mph W cross-off, energy 3784. Again, expert territory. Sunday the 6th has a 6.9ft SW swell in the morning, 16 second period, clean with a 9.3 mph N cross-off, energy 2160. A good, solid day.
Monday the 7th is a drop-off – 3.0ft SW at 13 seconds with glassy NW air, but the energy is down to 308. Fun for a longboard or small craft.
Then things go a bit pear-shaped. Tuesday the 8th through to Saturday the 12th sees onshore winds from the SSE and SSW, with lumpy, choppy conditions. There are periods with 13.1ft swell (energy 10532) on the 8th – massive, but with a 18.6 mph SSW cross-onshore, it’s a washing machine. Not one for the surfboard unless you’re a masochist. This stretch is far better suited to kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Sunday the 13th offers a small reprieve: 5.9ft swell from the SE with a short 7 second period, but a light NE cross-off keeps things clean. The energy is weak at
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Fri night, light winds from the NW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 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) | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
961 | 881 | 1255 | 702 | 429 | 293 | 854 | 1149 | 1140 | 1787 | 4733 | 2721 | 1875 | 1436 | 1062 | 1999 | 3784 | 4137 | 2160 | 1169 | 507 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 5:42AM1.84m | 5:04PM1.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:26AM0.80m | 11:48PM0.15m | ||||||||
6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 12 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 12 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 14 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
961 | 881 | 1255 | 702 | 429 | 293 | 854 | 1149 | 1140 | 1787 | 2801 | 2721 | 1875 | 1436 | 1062 | 1999 | 3784 | 4137 | 2160 | 1169 | 507 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | SW 18 | — | S 16 | SSW 16 | — | — | — | — | S 15 | — | — | — | S 16 | — | — | — |
138 | 246 | 844 | 42 | 19 | 150 | — | 20 | 83 | — | — | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 14 | — | — | — | S 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 34 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | N 3 | NW 4 | NW 3 | — | — | NW 3 | W 4 | SW 14 | — | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | W 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 6 | 10 | 3 | — | — | 4 | 23 | 4733 | — | 4 | 6 | 9 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 520 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 555 | 558 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 524 | 524 | 520 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











