Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the Bells Bowl stretch over the next couple of weeks. It’s a mixed bag, but there are some moments that’ll get the blood pumpin’.

First up, the water temp is sitting at 57°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The week kicks off with a solid pulse of SW groundswell, but don’t get too excited just yet – the wind is a cross-off at 16 mph, so it’s gonna be a bit of a battle. The combined swell energy is pumping at 5398 (moderate to strong), with 10 ft of SW swell, but the wind is messy and the call is “marginal”. On Thursday the 23rd, this is for the brave, not the faint-hearted.

Moving into Friday the 24th, the swell drops a notch to 8 ft from the SSW, but that period stretches to 15 seconds – proper long-period groundswell. The wind is still cross-off, and the energy is still solid at 3758. The size is getting into that territory where it’s only for the experienced crew. Not the cleanest, but there’s power.

Saturday the 25th is the standout for the first week. The morning brings a solid 12 ft of SW swell, period of 13 seconds, and a combined energy of 4927. The wind is a steady 12 mph cross-off from the west. This is the biggest swell of the run, and the Bowl will be a sight to behold. It’s a reef and point break, so it handles that size well, but it’s advanced-only territory. The swell direction matches the optimum SW, so it’s set up for some classic Bells lines. Expect crowds though – this spot is often busy, and with a swell like this, it’ll be buzzing.

Sunday the 26th drops off quickly. Morning is tiny at 4 ft, and by the afternoon it’s back up to 8 ft but the period is dropping to 10 seconds. The energy is low (438 in the morning, 1737 in the afternoon). Not the day.

Monday the 27th is a strange one. Swell is small, only 4 ft, but the wind goes offshore from the WNW. The energy is weak (268-441), but for a surfer who wants a clean, cruisy session on a smaller board, it’ll be glassy and fun. The period is 10-11 seconds, so it’s short-period and not much grunt.

Tuesday the 28th brings a new SSW groundswell with a very long period of 16 seconds, and 5 ft of swell. The wind is offshore from the NNW, but it’s a fresh 19 mph breeze. The energy is moderate (1319-1337). It’s clean, but the wind is strong and the swell is long-period, which can make the Bowl a bit too straight and fast. Still, for the experienced, it’s a go.

From Wednesday the 29th onward, the quality drops. Winds go cross-on, the swell drops, and the conditions turn choppy. By Thursday the 30th, the wind goes glassy or light cross-off, but the swell is down to 4-4 ft. It’s clean, but small. For the patient soul, it’s a chance.

Friday the 31st morning is clean with offshore wind and 3 ft of SSW swell, but by the afternoon it’s a joke – 2 ft with a 20 second period and 19 mph wind. That’s a paddling session, not a surfing one.

Now, the second week. Saturday the 1st of August is a massive pulse. 8-8 ft of SSW swell, period of 16 seconds, and combined energy of 5587 and 5139. That’s strong energy. But the wind is cross-on from the south at 9 mph, making it choppy. This is a big, powerful, but messy day. Only for the experts, and even then, it’s a battle.

Sunday the 2nd of August morning is the real standout for the second week. 7 ft of SSW swell, 16-second period, and combined energy of 1973. The wind is a light cross-off from the WSW at 6 mph. This is clean, powerful, and the swell direction is right. The Bowl will be a dream. The crowds will be there, but it’s worth it. This is the pick of the week.

After that, it fades. Monday the 3rd is onshore, Tuesday the 4th is small and cross-on, and by Wednesday the 5th it’s tiny. The rest of the week is a flat spell with weak energy and poor conditions. From the 5th to the 7th, it’s a write-off for any decent surfing.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Saturday the 25th of July for the big, powerful SW swell, and Sunday the 2nd of August for the clean, long-period groundswell with light offshore wind. The rest is patchy, windy, or small. Take your pick and be ready.

Rusty.

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