
Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 3,805 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and let’s cut to it. The next couple of weeks at Bells have some promise, but you’ll have to pick your moments. The water’s around 57°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a small win.
Right now, Tuesday afternoon, the surf is 2.4m from the SW, but the wind is a miserable cross-shore at 35 km/h. It’s choppy and raw. The energy is moderate at 2356, but it’s not doing you any favors.
Wednesday keeps the size around 2.3m, but that cross-onshore wind is still messing the surface up. It’s lumpy and hard work.
Thursday, the swell drops to 1.6m, and the wind eases, but it’s still cross-shore. Marginal at best, with energy dropping to 1072. You might find a few, but it’s ordinary.
Now, the first real highlight is Friday the 18th. The swell is around 1.6m from the SW, but the wind swings offshore from the NW at 20 km/h. That’s the key. The energy jumps to 2299, and it’s going to be clean and lined up. This is where you want to be if you’re experienced – Bells Beach – Bowl handles this kind of power well. The offshore wind is a big plus, giving you those clean faces.
Saturday the 19th is a bit smaller, at 1.1m, but the offshore wind holds, especially in the afternoon when it goes light. Cleaner, but smaller.
Then things shut down. From Sunday through Monday, the swell fades and the wind turns onshore. It’s not worth it. Tuesday the 22nd, the swell bumps back to 2.3m, but the wind is onshore from the SE, and the conditions are poor. Big but messy.
We hit a real lull from the 23rd to the 25th. The swell drops under a metre, and while the conditions are clean with light winds, there’s just no power. Energy readings drop to 170 and 158. It’s a full stop.
But then, the one to really mark up: Saturday the 26th of September. The swell comes back at 1.7m from the SW with a 18-second period. The wind is offshore from the NNW at 25 km/h, and the energy is up to 1865. This is a proper groundswell – longer period, more punch, better shape. It’s going to be clean and strong. This is the best of the whole forecast, but I’d call it promising, not certain, since we’re a week out.
Sunday the 27th is still clean with 1.5m swell and a light cross-offshore wind. Energy is at 1433. Another good day.
But then the wheels come off. From Monday the 28th onward, the wind is onshore from the south and southeast, and it’s choppy. By Tuesday the 29th, the period drops to just 7 seconds – that’s wind chop. The energy is weak, and the conditions are poor.
So, the two windows you want are Friday the 18th and, more so, Saturday the 26th. The rest is small, messy, or both. Beginners should stay away from the 2.3m days – that’s too heavy for anyone not comfortable in powerful waves. This break demands respect.
That Saturday swell is the one to chase. You’ll feel it in your chest.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
2356 | 2529 | 2324 | 2177 | 1739 | 1072 | 838 | 1057 | 1543 | 1239 | 752 | 444 | 380 | 146 | 340 | 513 | 471 | 636 | 900 | 2355 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:55AM1.99m | 2:45PM1.84m | 3:31AM1.96m | 3:16PM1.80m | 4:07AM1.90m | 3:46PM1.74m | 4:42AM1.81m | 4:15PM1.67m | 5:18AM1.70m | 4:44PM1.58m | 6:00AM1.59m | 5:15PM1.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:07AM0.82m | 11:17PM0.41m | 11:44AM0.92m | 11:57PM0.52m | |||||||
— | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 25 | 21 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 13 | 16 | 10 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 |
— | — | 2324 | 2177 | 1739 | 1072 | 838 | 1057 | 1543 | 1239 | 752 | 444 | 380 | 146 | 340 | 513 | 471 | 636 | 900 | 2355 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 15 | S 16 | — | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | — | SSW 14 | SW 18 | NE 4 | — | — | — | S 15 | S 16 |
— | — | — | 68 | 42 | — | — | 60 | 607 | 595 | — | — | 40 | 13 | 3 | — | — | — | 17 | 125 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 17 | — | — | — | SW 20 | S 16 | N 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 149 | — | — | — | 15 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — | SW 5 | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | N 2 | WNW 3 | WSW 9 | WNW 2 | — | — | — |
2356 | 2529 | — | — | — | — | 45 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 211 | 1 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 752 | 294 | 200 | 75 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 11 | 3 | 200 | 75 | 5 |
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.










