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Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Bells Beach. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Slim pickings. Only worth it if you are gagging for a wave. Short-period chop. The waves lack any real push. Strong offshore, clean but tough to paddle into.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Bells Beach is an iconic, highly powerful right-hand reef and point break located on the rugged Surf Coast of Victoria, Australia. The bathymetry features a wide, terraced limestone reef that extends from a prominent natural clay amphitheatre into the Southern Ocean. This stepped, gradual seafloor gradient requires immense kinetic energy to activate; consequently, Bells operates optimally on massive south-westerly groundswells generated deep in the Roaring Forties. As these massive swells hit the reef, they create thick, sweeping walls with a relatively sloping face, rather than a top-to-bottom plunging barrel. A north-westerly offshore wind is essential to groom the expansive wave faces. The break is divided into several sections, notably Rincon and The Bowl, which can connect on the largest swells to provide rides of extraordinary length. Due to the immense volume of water moving across the reef, the necessity for strong paddling endurance, and the requirement for powerful, drawn-out carving manoeuvres on thick wave faces, Bells Beach is exclusively suited for advanced, physically robust surfers.
Heads up: rip risk elevated, and cold-shock risk.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 82% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Significantly cleaner air than a typical city. Ideal for outdoor exercise with minimal respiratory strain.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 09:24
Good water clarity: ~10m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Bells Beach
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile โPartly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at Bells Beach is the week of 2 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
This guide was generated from conditions data. Know this spot? Submit your own tips below.
Bells Beach is Australia's most famous wave, a powerful right-hand reef break on Victoria's Surf Coast near Torquay. It has hosted the world's longest-running professional surf competition (the Rip Curl Pro) since the 1960s. The wave breaks over a limestone reef shelf, producing long, powerful walls with barrel sections on bigger swells. The cliff amphitheatre above creates a natural stadium. Cold water, powerful waves, world-class quality.
Needs solid south-westerly groundswell from the Southern Ocean. A northerly wind is offshore. Best at mid to high tide. The 4-8ft range produces its famous walls. Works primarily in autumn and winter (March through September) when the biggest Southern Ocean storms track through. Summer can produce smaller rideable waves.
The main take-off is at the top of the point (the Bowl). The wave then runs right along the reef through the Rincon section and down to the inside. The Bowl is most powerful; Rincon is more workable. Choose based on your ability.
Powerful waves over limestone reef. Cold water (wetsuits year-round in Victoria). Strong currents sweep along the reef. The Bowl section is heavy and fast. Rocks throughout. Sea urchins. This is a serious wave on bigger days.
Large car park at the cliff top. Steps lead down to the beach (5-10 minutes). National surfing museum nearby. The Great Ocean Road runs past.
Crowded on good days. Bells Beach is iconic and attracts surfers from across Victoria and beyond. The Bowl section is competitive. 20-40 people on a solid swell. The local Torquay crew are skilled and experienced. Dawn patrol helps.
Bells is best on a solid SW groundswell with light offshores. The Rincon section offers slightly easier access to quality waves than the heavy Bowl. The competition window (Easter) draws the world's best. Torquay (10 minutes) has excellent surf shops and cafes. The Great Ocean Road drive is one of Australia's best.
Solid swell
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 30 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Bells Beach tend to be best between 08:00 to 11:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 30/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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