Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break it down in feet and miles per hour.

We’re starting off a bit slow, but there’s some real magic on the horizon. The first solid session kicks off Thursday afternoon, August 6th, with a clean, moderate offshore breeze out of the northwest. Wave heights are only around 2 feet, but that’s a long-period SW groundswell (16 seconds) with a combined energy of 206, so it’s got a bit of push for its size. The water temp is sitting at about 56°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

The standout in the first week is without a doubt Friday, August 7th. Friday morning at Bells Beach - Bowl, we’ve got light NW offshore winds, almost glassy, and a clean 4-foot SW groundswell with a 16-second period. The energy jumps to 575, and it’s going to be proper. Friday afternoon stays clean with a light cross-off breeze, still holding around 3 feet. That’s your best bet for the early run.

Saturday the 8th drops off a bit with moderate cross-off winds and some questionable tide conditions, but the swell is still around 3 feet. Sunday the 9th is a write-off – light rain, fresh breezes, and poor conditions.

Now, Monday the 10th gets interesting but messy. A big 10-foot SW swell rolls in Monday morning, but it’s a short-period 9-second wind swell with a massive 2745 energy reading. The wind is a cross-off, but it’s fresh, and the quality is marginal. That’s more of a “look but don’t paddle” kind of day unless you’re keen on a challenge. Monday afternoon settles to 4 feet but still marginal.

The real gem of the entire outlook lands on Thursday, August 13th. Thursday afternoon, we’ve got a 10-foot SW groundswell with a 15-second period, and the energy is skyrocketing to 5264. The wind is a gentle cross-off from the SW, and the forecast is calling for exceptional surf conditions – but only for expert surfers. That’s a big, powerful, long-period swell at a reef and point break. It’s going to be thick, hollow, and demanding. If you’re advanced, you’ll be frothing. For everyone else, it’s a spectator sport.

Friday the 14th still has big swell (10 feet in the morning, 8 feet in the afternoon), but wind and tide conditions keep it marginal. Saturday the 15th turns choppy with cross-onshore winds, so that’s a no-go.

The second week fades out. From Sunday the 16th onward, the swell drops back to 3 feet or less, with some light onshore winds and mostly clean but small conditions. There’s a brief window on Wednesday the 19th with light offshore winds and 2 feet, 16-second swell – clean and fun for a small wave log, but nothing to get too excited about.

Overall, the clear standout is Thursday afternoon, August 13th. That’s your big, clean, expert-level session at Bells Beach - Bowl. The SW direction is spot-on for the break, and the combined energy is absolutely pumping. Crowds are possible, so get in early if you’ve got the skills.

Rusty.

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