Surf Forecasts:
Bells Beach - Bowl surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, SSW swell with 1,626 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 11s period with SSW 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 (Aug 27) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 14s. 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 1.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mates, let’s have a look at the forecast for Bells Beach - Bowl. The vibe is a bit slow to start, but we’ve got a solid run of swell and wind lining up, especially for the experienced crew.
We’re kicking off Thursday the 27th of August with some small, clean surf. The water’s sitting at 56°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so nothing wild there. Thursday morning has a 3 ft swell from the SSW with a period of 11 seconds, and a light offshore breeze from the NW. It’s clean but small, not a standout. The afternoon drops to 2 ft with a cross-offshore wind from the west – the swell energy is moderate, around 230.
Friday the 28th is a step up. Friday morning brings a 3 ft SW swell, but with a very long period of 18 seconds. That’s groundswell, and it’s packing moderate energy (723). The wind is cross-offshore from the west, so the waves should be clean and well-shaped. Friday afternoon sees the swell bumping to 4 ft, still from the SW, with a 17-second period and strong energy (911). The wind swings cross-shore from the SSW, so it’s a bit more lumpy, but still a decent session.
Saturday the 29th starts clean again – 4 ft SW swell, 14-second period, light cross-offshore breeze from the WNW. The energy is moderate (466). Saturday afternoon gets a bit choppy as the wind turns cross-onshore from the SSW, with the swell holding at 4 ft.
Sunday the 30th is looking good in the morning. We’ve got 5 ft from the SSW, 13-second period, cross-offshore wind from the west, and moderate energy (690). Clean waves on offer. Sunday afternoon gets a cross-onshore breeze from the south, so it’s a bit bumpy.
Now, Monday the 31st of August is a true standout. Monday morning delivers 6 ft from the SSW with a very long period of 15 seconds. The wind is light offshore from the NW, and the swell energy is strong (1742). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. Monday afternoon is glassy with a light SW wind, and the swell holds at 6 ft, 15 seconds. This is premium stuff – clean, powerful, and lined up.
Tuesday the 1st of September has a solid 5 ft SW swell with a 16-second period, but the wind is a fresh offshore from the NNW at 30 km/h. It’s clean, but that strong wind makes paddling a bit tougher. The afternoon cranks up to 40 km/h offshore from the NW, so it’s clean but hard to get into.
Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd of September both offer consistent, clean waves. Wednesday has 4 ft to 4 ft SW swell, 14-15 second periods, and moderate offshore winds from the WNW. Thursday bumps up to 5 ft SW swell, same period, with a moderate offshore from the NW. Good, clean, and reliable.
Friday the 4th of September is another standout. The morning has 6 ft SW swell with a 15-second period, fresh offshore wind from the NW, and strong energy (1654). Friday afternoon sees 7 ft SW swell, 15-second period, and moderate offshore wind from the WNW – excellent conditions for experienced surfers.
Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September get a bit bigger and windier. Swells are 6 ft to 7 ft from the SW, with 14-15 second periods. The winds are cross-offshore and strong, so the waves are clean but powerful. This is getting into expert territory.
Monday the 7th of September is a monster. We’re looking at 8 ft SW swell with a 16-second period, offshore wind from the NW, and very strong energy (3891). This is for experts only. The swell is huge and powerful.
After that, the forecast gets a bit messy. Tuesday the 8th sees a drop to 6 ft but with lumpy cross-shore winds. Wednesday the 9th has a massive 12 ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, but onshore winds from the SE – not ideal for paddling, could be more of a kite session. The rest of the week into the 11th of September sees the swell backing off, with some clean but smaller waves on offer.
The absolute best of the bunch is Monday the 31st of August – that glassy, long-period SSW groundswell with offshore winds is a dream for advanced surfers at Bells. The other standout is Friday the 4th of September for the bigger, clean SW swell. If you’re experienced, those are the days to pencil in.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, strong winds from the NW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
133 | 90 | 184 | 442 | 907 | 710 | 466 | 476 | 479 | 630 | 689 | 1057 | 1222 | 1288 | 1239 | 883 | 581 | 767 | 696 | 581 | 520 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 11:36AM1.55m | 10:46PM1.32m | 12:19PM1.63m | 11:57PM1.42m | 12:53PM1.70m | 00:50AM1.55m | 1:23PM1.76m | 1:34AM1.69m | 1:52PM1.81m | 2:14AM1.81m | 2:20PM1.83m | 2:52AM1.90m | 2:48PM1.85m | 3:31AM1.96m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:46PM1.00m | 5:20AM0.57m | 6:30PM0.86m | 6:15AM0.52m | 7:03PM0.71m | 7:00AM0.47m | 7:34PM0.55m | 7:40AM0.45m | 8:04PM0.40m | 8:17AM0.45m | 8:34PM0.26m | 8:53AM0.47m | 9:06PM0.15m | ||||||||
6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
133 | 90 | 181 | 277 | 907 | 710 | 466 | 476 | 479 | 630 | 689 | 1057 | 1222 | 1288 | 1239 | 883 | 581 | 767 | 696 | 581 | 520 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SE 10 | SSE 16 | — | S 24 | SW 22 | SW 20 | SSW 20 | SW 24 | SW 20 | SW 20 | S 15 | S 16 | — | — | S 16 | S 15 | — |
54 | 69 | 184 | 442 | 4 | 25 | — | 11 | 18 | 60 | 40 | 22 | 469 | 239 | 17 | 44 | — | — | 5 | 5 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | SW 21 | S 10 | SE 11 | — | — | — | S 15 | S 15 | — | — | SW 24 | S 17 | S 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
15 | 71 | 17 | 4 | — | — | — | 5 | 17 | — | — | 22 | 51 | 132 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NNW 4 | NW 3 | — | WNW 3 | NW 3 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 37 | 3 | — | 3 | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 535 | 394 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











