Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bells Beach - Bowl sea temperature is
14.1° C
0.5° 

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 12 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 13 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 14,904 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 5.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 3.0m and 16s. 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 5.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Mon 13th Jul)18ft (5.5m) 15s
Best Surf 7PM (Mon 13th Jul)18ft (5.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 7PM (Mon 13th Jul)18ft (5.5m) 15s

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


Alright, let’s get into it.

Right off the bat, it’s been quiet, but we’ve got a solid run of swell coming through for Bells Beach – Bowl. The first real action kicks off on Monday the 13th of July with a building SW groundswell. It’s a bit lumpy on Monday morning with that fresh offshore NW wind at 22 mph, but the waves are already a clean 8 ft with a long 16-second period. The water's sitting at 57°, which is pretty much what you'd expect for this time of year.

The standout window is Tuesday afternoon the 14th. The swell jumps to a solid 13 ft from the SW, period still a generous 15 seconds, and the combined energy hits a massive 10298 – that's serious power. Wind is a cross-offshore WSW breeze at 12 mph keeping things clean. This is advanced territory only; over 8 ft, so it’s for experienced crew. The Bowl will be firing with that long-period groundswell wrapping in perfectly over the reef and point.

Wednesday morning the 15th still looks good with a 6 ft SW swell and a gentle offshore at 9 mph. Clean conditions, but the size drops. Thursday the 16th holds around 5 ft, but the wind swings onshore from the south in the afternoon, putting a bit of a chop on it. Friday the 17th is a beauty – morning is light cross-off, and by the afternoon it goes glassy with a 5 ft SW swell, 16-second period, and light airs. Perfect for a session after work.

The weekend tails off. Saturday the 18th has small 3 ft waves, glassy in the afternoon, but it’s weak – energy down to 213. Sunday the 19th is even smaller, barely 2 ft. There’s a dry spell from the 20th through the 23rd, with waves hovering below 3 ft and mostly poor conditions. A couple of clean mornings but not worth paddling out for.

Then, looking ahead to Friday the 24th of July (that’s 11 days out, so keep it on your radar), we get another pulse. Morning sees a 3 ft SW swell, but the period jumps to 19 seconds – very long-period groundswell. By the afternoon it’s up to 5 ft with an 18-second period and moderate offshore NW wind at 12 mph. Combined energy hits 1483, and the conditions are clean. This could be a gem, especially if the long-period lines hold their shape at the point.

Saturday the 25th drops off with stronger northerly winds and smaller surf, and the following days stay mediocre through the end of the month. One to watch is Monday the 27th of July morning – 4 ft SW, gentle offshore, energy at 804 – a solid, clean option for a quieter session.

Bottom line: Tuesday the 14th afternoon is the big one for experts. Friday the 24th afternoon is the long-range highlight, promising but less certain. Crowds are possible at the Bowl, so get in early.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Mon morning, light winds from the WNW by Wed afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
5
2
8
4
4
4
3
4
3
3
4
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SW
16
2.4
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.3
SW
16
4
SW
15
2.2
SW
15
1.7
SW
15
1.6
SW
14
1.5
SW
14
1.6
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.5
SW
15
1.6
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
0.8
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.5
SSW
11
0.3
SW
20
0.4
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2481
2796
3953
2545
7946
1983
1237
1094
915
1045
1074
966
1367
976
472
281
208
82
74
69
111
Wind (km/h)
35
NW
35
WNW
20
NW
25
W
20
WSW
10
WNW
15
WNW
15
W
10
WNW
10
W
10
S
5
NW
10
N
5
NNE
10
NW
10
NW
5
WNW
10
NW
15
NW
10
NNW
15
NNW
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:45PM1.58m
11:07AM1.84m
10:05PM1.58m
12:09PM1.92m
11:25PM1.62m
1:04PM1.99m
00:38AM1.70m
1:51PM2.03m
1:42AM1.76m
2:34PM2.05m
2:41AM1.81m
3:14PM2.04m
3:35AM1.82m
Low Tide
3:38PM1.04m
3:48AM0.11m
4:58PM0.99m
4:59AM0.08m
6:08PM0.88m
6:06AM0.06m
7:07PM0.73m
7:06AM0.08m
7:59PM0.56m
8:01AM0.13m
8:47PM0.42m
8:50AM0.22m
9:31PM0.30m
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:37
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:19
5:19
5:20
5:21
5:21
5:22
5:22
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
15
14
12
14
14
11
12
13
14
14
13
13
12
13
12
13
14
12
14
15
12
Feels °C
7
7
7
8
9
8
9
11
12
13
11
12
10
12
10
10
13
10
11
13
9
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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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