Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,829 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 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 (Aug 19) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period. 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 1.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at a pretty solid window coming up for Bells Beach – Bowl. We’ve got a reliable spot, a reef and point break that’s built for advanced crew, and it loves a good SW groundswell. The water temp here is sitting about average for this time of year, nothing too wild, just your standard chilly winter water.
Right now, there’s nothing doing – we’re looking at a dry gap from the start. The first real sniff of action comes on Friday the 21st. Early morning we’ve got a clean 0.7m (2ft) SW swell with a gentle cross-off breeze, and the combined energy is pumping at 548. That’s moderate energy, but the afternoon kicks it up a notch – 1.0m (3ft) SW, period 14 seconds, sweet offshore wind, and energy jumping to 910. This is a good, solid session for the experienced surfer. Not a standout, but a nice way into the weekend.
Saturday the 22nd shows a bigger push: 1.5m (5ft) SW in the morning, with a cross-off breeze and energy at 1081. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-shore chop, so aim for early. Sunday the 23rd is where it starts to get exciting. Morning sees 1.9m (6ft) SW swell, a 16-second period, offshore wind, and energy at 1675. This is excellent for experienced surfers – big, clean, powerful lines. The afternoon holds similar size at 1.9m (6ft), energy at 1730, and still offshore. That’s the real standout of this forecast. Monday the 24th keeps the quality up with a 1.7m (6ft) SSW swell, offshore wind, and energy at 1159. Another top session for those who know what they’re doing.
Things drop off mid-week. Tuesday and Wednesday are poor or marginal, with onshore winds and dropping swell. We get a brief reprieve on Saturday the 29th – 1.1m (4ft) SW, 17-second period, clean, with energy at 731. Not huge, but clean and lined up. Then Sunday the 30th is a write-off with fresh wind and rain.
Now, looking into the second week, there’s a promising blip on Monday the 31st. A 1.7m (6ft) SW swell, offshore wind, and energy at 1262. It’s a bit far out, so treat it as promising but less certain. After that, it fades fast into the start of September.
Overall, the clear winner is Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th. That’s where the size, period, and offshore wind all line up for some proper Bells barrels. If you’re an advanced surfer, those are the days to circle. Crowds are a possibility at Bells, so get in early.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the NNE by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 384 | 508 | 661 | 485 | 238 | 310 | 196 | 107 | 85 | 54 | 77 | 163 | 161 | 218 | 393 | 651 | 1041 | 799 | 1685 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off |
High Tide | 2:32AM1.88m | 2:45PM1.97m | 3:19AM1.91m | 3:19PM1.94m | 4:01AM1.89m | 3:51PM1.88m | 4:41AM1.83m | 4:21PM1.80m | 5:20AM1.75m | 4:50PM1.71m | 6:00AM1.66m | 5:19PM1.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:36AM0.34m | 9:03PM0.19m | 9:18AM0.42m | 9:40PM0.15m | 9:56AM0.52m | 10:16PM0.17m | 10:31AM0.63m | 10:50PM0.22m | 11:06AM0.74m | 11:24PM0.30m | 11:40AM0.86m | 00:01AM0.39m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | |  | |  |  | |  | |  | | | | |  | |
 | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 384 | 508 | 661 | 485 | 238 | 310 | 196 | 107 | 85 | 54 | 77 | 163 | 161 | 197 | 393 | 651 | 1041 | 799 | 1685 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | SE 5 | S 17 | SE 6 | SW 14 | ESE 5 | SE 4 | ESE 7 | E 7 | SW 18 | SW 14 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 15 | SW 18 | — | SSW 20 | SW 18 | — |
| kJ | 5 | 11 | 5 | 44 | 149 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 54 | 49 | 13 | 18 | 218 | 194 | — | 40 | 781 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | SE 5 | S 16 | — | — | ENE 4 | WSW 8 | E 8 | E 7 | SW 19 | SW 18 | — | — | S 16 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 19 | 7 | 5 | — | — | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 133 | 323 | — | — | 45 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | E 5 | ESE 5 | — | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 12 | 23 | 8 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 31 | 59 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 9 | 33 | 9 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
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.
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