Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.37° S 144.28° E

Bells Beach - Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 02 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 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 7,344 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. 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 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 1.0m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Thu 3rd Sep)5ft (1.6m) 15s
Best Surf 4AM (Thu 10th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 18s
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

Righto, grab your wetsuit, ’cause I’ve got a bloody ripper of a run coming up for the Bells Bowl. This is a proper stretch of groundswell, and the Bowl is the only game in town, so let’s get straight into it.

We’re kicking off Thursday the 3rd of September, and it’s all about the Bowl (Bells Beach - Bowl). The ocean is thumping with a big, powerful SW groundswell – we’re talking 13ft to 15ft faces with a long 14-second period. The combined energy is monstrous, sitting at 8086 to 9613, so you’re getting a serious push of water. The wind is a solid cross-off from the W at 15 mph, which is keeping the surface clean, but it’s a blustery day. This is serious, experienced-only territory; the water is about average for this time of year, no big surprises there.

Then Friday the 4th is where it gets really special. The swell drops to a more manageable 7ft, but the period stretches out to a very long 16 seconds – pure groundswell. The wind goes light NW offshore at 9 mph, and the morning is glassy. This is the standout of the whole forecast: clean, long lines, perfect for a point break setup. The Bowl will be offering up some of the best waves you’ll see. The combined energy is still strong at 2387, but it’s manageable. Crowds are a possibility, as it’s often a busy spot, but for this quality, you’ll cop it.

Saturday the 5th gets a bit rowdy. The swell is still around 5ft to 7ft with a 14-15 second period, but the wind ramps up to a strong 28 mph offshore from the WNW. It’s clean, but it’s going to be a battle to get out and stay in. The combined energy drops to 1219-1602, but that wind is a handful. Sunday the 6th is a lovely little reset: 5ft of SW swell with a 13-14 second period, light breeze from the WSW, and clean conditions. The energy is moderate (921-667), and it’s a nice, relaxed day for the experienced surfer.

Monday the 7th is a write-off – the swell drops to 3ft with a choppy cross-on wind. Tuesday the 8th brings a pulse back: 5ft of SW swell with a very long 18-second period, light WNW winds, and clean. The energy is strong at 2060, and it’s just for the experienced crew. Wednesday the 9th is messy with a cross-onshore, but Thursday the 10th is another big one. The swell jumps to 8ft from the SSW with an 18-second period, light offshore wind, and a combined energy of 4634. This is a standout for the following week – clean, powerful, and only for experts.

The second week is a bit more mixed. Friday the 11th is a return to form: 5ft SW groundswell, 15-16 second period, light N offshore winds, and clean. The energy is moderate (957-1036), and it’s a real treat. Saturday the 12th is a bit windier but still clean, with similar swell. From Sunday the 13th to Monday the 14th, it’s small and messy, with poor conditions. Tuesday the 15th gets a bit of life back with 5-6ft SW swell and a moderate offshore, but it’s not as clean.

Then Wednesday the 16th is a massive finale. The swell jumps to 13ft from the SW, with a 15-second period and a combined energy of 10462 – that’s enormous. The wind is a fresh offshore from the NW, so it’s clean, but it’s a beast. Only for the brave. Thursday the 17th is still a solid 6-5ft with offshore winds, but Friday the 18th is a washout with a strong cross-shore.

So, the standout picks are Friday the 4th for the clean, long-period perfection, and Thursday the 10th for that big, clean groundswell. If you’re a beginner, stay well clear of this whole run – it’s all over 5ft and often way over 8ft. This is proper, expert-level surf.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Thu night, strong winds from the WNW by Sat morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
8
8
5
4
4
2
2
1
6
3
3
2
1
0
2
4
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
15
4
SW
14
4.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
15
2.2
SW
16
2.1
SW
16
1.9
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
2
SW
14
4
WSW
13
1.5
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
0.9
SW
13
0.9
SSW
13
0.6
SW
20
1.4
SW
18
1.4
SW
17
1.4
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1140
6374
7338
3017
2344
2328
1694
1219
1602
4930
902
651
347
238
295
306
1136
1073
906
Wind (km/h)
25
NW
25
W
25
W
15
NW
15
NW
15
NNW
25
N
45
WNW
40
W
25
W
10
WSW
10
SW
15
NW
20
W
25
S
10
SW
10
WNW
20
SW
25
SW
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
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
7:47AM1.64m
6:58PM1.56m
Low Tide
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
1:27PM0.98m
2:00AM0.37m
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:37
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:01
6:02
6:02
6:04
6:05
6:06
 mm
1
9
1
1
Temp °C
13
14
14
10
14
16
15
14
13
13
13
13
12
12
11
10
13
16
11
Feels °C
7
7
8
6
8
12
10
5
4
8
10
10
9
7
5
6
11
12
6
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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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