Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
14.1° C
0.6° 

Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 7,199 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s 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 (Jul 20) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Mon 20th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 16s
Best Surf 7PM (Sat 25th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Most Powerful10PM (Fri 24th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s talk about the Bells stretch of coast. The start of the week is a bit of a dud – Monday the 20th through Wednesday the 22nd, swell is tiny, maybe 2 to 3 feet out of the SW. The wind is offshore, but the wave energy is weak (142 to 274). You could paddle out, but you’d be waiting a long time for a proper wave.

Then, Thursday the 23rd, the ocean wakes up. Boom – 12 feet of SW swell with a 14-second period. The energy is massive (7034). The wind is a cross-offshore, so it’s not glassy, but it’s clean. This is for experts only. If you’re not confident in big, powerful surf, stay on the sand.

Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th keep the size up, with 8 to 12 feet of SSW and SW swell. The energy stays very high (2444 to 5999). The wind is still cross-off. It’s going to be a battle, but a rewarding one for the right crew. The water is about average for the season.

The true standout is the weekend of Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of August. Saturday morning, Bells Beach – Bowl is showing a clean 5 foot SSW swell with a gentle offshore breeze. The energy is moderate (607) and the period is a solid 11 seconds. It’s clean, it’s fun, and it’s not too big. Then Sunday the 2nd morning is even better: 5 foot SW swell, 12-second period, light offshore, and a combined energy of 1393. That’s your best bet. The waves will be well-shaped, and while the crowds will be there, it’s worth it.

For the big-wave crew, Thursday the 30th of July has a 10 foot SSW swell with a 13-second period and a light cross-off wind. The energy is huge (4977). It’s a clean, powerful day for those who are up for it.

The forecast runs out of steam after the 2nd of August, with the swell dropping below 3 feet and the wind turning onshore, so get your sessions in on that first weekend of August.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Fri morning, light winds from the W by Sat afternoon).

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
4
7
3
7
3
2
7
5
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.6
SW
15
0.8
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.8
SW
10
3
SW
12
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
4
SW
15
2.4
SSW
16
2.4
SSW
15
4.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
13
3
SW
13
1.5
SSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
109
161
107
134
269
246
108
144
144
2738
5212
2925
6221
2791
2444
6749
4277
3214
702
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
15
NNW
10
NW
15
NW
15
NW
15
NW
15
NW
25
WNW
20
WNW
15
W
20
W
30
W
25
WSW
25
WNW
30
WNW
25
W
20
W
20
SW
10
W
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
3:35AM1.82m
3:51PM1.99m
4:25AM1.80m
4:26PM1.92m
5:13AM1.75m
4:59PM1.82m
6:00AM1.69m
5:30PM1.72m
6:48AM1.62m
6:02PM1.61m
7:41AM1.55m
6:37PM1.52m
Low Tide
9:36AM0.34m
10:13PM0.24m
10:20AM0.48m
10:53PM0.23m
11:01AM0.63m
11:32PM0.26m
11:41AM0.76m
00:10AM0.32m
12:23PM0.89m
00:50AM0.38m
1:11PM1.00m
1:35AM0.44m
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:33
7:33
7:31
7:31
7:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:23
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:27
5:28
 mm
3
1
2
2
2
1
Temp °C
13
13
14
12
14
15
12
14
10
9
11
10
10
11
13
12
13
13
12
Feels °C
9
9
11
9
11
12
7
8
6
5
3
2
3
3
8
7
8
9
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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