Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 01 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
13.8°C
0.9° 

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 1 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 6,894 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. 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 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 2nd Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 15s
Best Surf 4PM (Tue 8th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 17s
Most Powerful 1PM (Thu 3rd Sep)15ft (4.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break down what’s coming for Bells Beach.

The first week of September is looking pretty solid, with a couple of sessions that are real standouts. Right now, the focus is on Bells Beach – Bowl (Victoria). The water temp is about 57°, which is a bit warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s a nice little bonus.

We start on Tuesday, the 1st of September. The afternoon is looking clean with a 3ft SW swell and a nice 15-second period. The wind is offshore, so the lineup will be smooth. The combined energy is moderate (448), so it’s not a massive push, but it’s a good start.

Wednesday the 2nd sees a bump in size. The morning brings 5ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period, and the wind is cross-offshore. The energy jumps to 1161 (moderate), and it’s looking clean. The afternoon holds similar with 5ft SW swell (15 seconds, 1220 energy). Both sessions are clean, but the forecast notes some tide concerns.

Thursday the 3rd gets bigger. The morning has 6ft SW swell (14 seconds, 1480 energy) with a cross-offshore breeze from the WSW. The afternoon pushes to 7ft SW (14 seconds, 1972 energy). Still clean, but the wind picks up a bit and the conditions might be a little tricky.

Now, Friday the 4th – this is the real standout. The morning has 8ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period, offshore NW wind, and the combined energy is pumping at 2658 (strong). The afternoon follows with 7ft SW (16 seconds, 2242 energy). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The wind stays offshore, so expect clean, powerful waves. Bells will be doing what it does best.

Saturday the 5th is a bit of a fall. The wind gets strong from the W at 25 mph, making things messy. The morning is 6ft SW (15 seconds, 1399 energy) but the cross-offshore wind is strong, and the afternoon is 8ft SW (14 seconds, 2595 energy). The quality drops, and it’s marginal at best.

Sunday the 6th is a nice rebound. The morning has 5ft SW (14 seconds, 928 energy) with a light offshore NW breeze, so it’s clean and fun. But the afternoon steals the show – glassy conditions with NNE wind at 3 mph, a 5ft SW swell (14 seconds, 773 energy). That’s a glass-off at Bells. It doesn’t get much better.

Monday the 7th is small. The morning has only 2ft SW (13 seconds, 184 energy) – glassy but weak. The afternoon is 2ft SW (13 seconds, 181 energy). It’s surfable, but ordinary.

Tuesday the 8th is worth a mention. The morning has 3ft SW with a very long 18-second period (586 energy) and light cross-offshore wind. The afternoon, though, is a late call: 8ft SW (17 seconds, 3870 energy) with a light offshore NW wind. That’s big, powerful, and clean. For experienced surfers only, this is a serious session.

Wednesday the 9th is a write-off. The morning is 16ft SW (17 seconds, 17033 energy) with a strong cross-onshore wind from the SSW at 28 mph. The break is basically too big, and the wind is onshore. The afternoon is 12ft SSW (17 seconds, 6602 energy) with similar wind. Unless you’re a tow-in nut, stay out.

From Thursday the 10th through Tuesday the 15th, the surf is mostly small, or the wind is onshore, or both. There are a few glimpses of clean conditions, like Sunday the 13th afternoon with 5ft SW (15 seconds, 978 energy) and glassy conditions, and Tuesday the 15th morning has a tiny 2ft SW (15 seconds, 234 energy) with offshore wind. But it’s mostly a quiet period.

Wednesday the 16th has 3ft SW (19 seconds, 740 energy) in the morning, but it’s cross-onshore and messy. Not worth a paddle.

So, the best on offer? Friday the 4th is the clear winner – big, clean, offshore, and powerful. Sunday the 6th afternoon is a close second for those glassy, clean conditions. If you’re an experienced surfer, don’t miss Tuesday the 8th afternoon either, but that’s for the brave.

Signing off, Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sat morning, calm by Sun afternoon).

Tue
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
4
2
3
4
4
4
3
1
1
3
3
3
2
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
1.4
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.9
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.3
SW
15
2.4
SW
16
2.1
SW
16
1.9
SW
16
1.8
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
1.5
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1
SW
12
0.7
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.5
SW
20
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
429
346
1065
1135
1140
1480
1972
2233
2658
2242
1672
1399
2595
1311
928
711
306
162
134
186
Wind (km/h)
25
NW
20
W
15
WNW
15
WNW
25
NW
25
WSW
20
W
15
NW
20
NW
20
NNW
30
NNW
40
W
35
W
15
W
10
NW
5
NNE
10
NNW
5
NNW
10
NNE
5
ENE
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
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
6:38AM1.73m
5:53PM1.66m
Low Tide
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
12:18PM0.90m
00:47AM0.26m
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:43
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:02
6:02
6:04
6:05
 mm
1
3
1
1
2
5
Temp °C
20
14
15
15
13
13
13
10
15
14
15
15
15
12
15
17
13
14
11
11
Feels °C
15
10
11
11
7
6
7
6
9
9
10
7
7
8
13
15
11
12
9
10
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  • 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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