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 Torquay. 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).
Small waves but still worth a paddle for keen surfers. Heavy offshore making for difficult paddle-outs but textbook faces.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Torquay, specifically focusing on the iconic break of Bells Beach, is a legendary right-hand point and reef break situated on the Surf Coast of Victoria, Australia. The bathymetric profile consists of a flat, stepped limestone reef that extends outward from a steep clay cliff face. As powerful, long-period south-westerly groundswells generated in the Roaring Forties travel across the Southern Ocean, they collide with this defined underwater structure. A north-westerly wind blowing off the surrounding hills provides optimal offshore conditions, grooming the massive wave faces. The wave mechanics feature a steep take-off at the outside Bowl that transitions into a fast, workable wall through the inside Rincon section, demanding continuous down-the-line speed generation. Because the wave breaks over a flat rock platform, it does not typically pitch top-to-bottom, but rather offers an expansive canvas for drawn-out, high-speed carving. It is best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers possessing solid leg endurance and cardiovascular fitness.
Heads up: cold-shock risk, and rip risk elevated.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 85% 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: ~8m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Torquay
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 Torquay 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.
Torquay is the starting point of the Great Ocean Road and the self-proclaimed surf capital of Australia. Multiple beaches face south into Bass Strait, receiving Southern Ocean swell. Jan Juc, Torquay Front Beach, Thirteenth Beach, and Point Danger all offer different waves. The town has the highest concentration of surf industry in Australia (Rip Curl and Quiksilver were founded here). Cold water, consistent swell.
Picks up south-westerly groundswell from the Southern Ocean. A northerly wind is offshore. Works on all tides depending on the specific beach. Consistent year-round with the biggest swells in autumn and winter. The 3-6ft range suits most spots. Summer has smaller but rideable waves.
Jan Juc (reef): powerful right-hander for experienced surfers. Front Beach: mellow, sheltered, good for beginners. Thirteenth Beach: long exposed beach with space. Point Danger: heavy reef. Choose based on ability.
Cold water (wetsuits year-round). Reef at Jan Juc and Point Danger. Powerful waves on bigger days. Sharks occasionally. Each spot has its own hazards.
Multiple car parks at each beach. Easy access. Full town facilities (surf shops, cafes, surf museum). The Surf Coast Walk connects the beaches.
Busy, particularly at Jan Juc. Melbourne surfers (1 hour drive) add to the local population on weekends. The variety of breaks helps distribute people. Dawn patrol and midweek are quieter.
Torquay is the centre of Australian surf culture. Visit the surf museum. Jan Juc reef is the quality wave but needs respect. Thirteenth Beach offers the most space when everywhere else is crowded. The Great Ocean Road south from here has dozens of breaks. The local bakeries are excellent. Bells Beach (10 minutes) is the main event on big swells.
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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 Torquay tend to be best between 08:00 to 11:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 38/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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