Bells Beach surf report
Australia's most famous right-hand reef, home of the Rip Curl Pro. Needs a solid south-west swell.
New region (beta): these break settings are still being checked by locals. Spot something off? Tell us.
Tomorrow at Bells Beach (Sun, 4 Oct) · best 5am–6am
Fun.
Light cross-wind, head-high waves. Rated for an advanced surfer.
- South-south-westerly wind at 7 kn. That's cross-shore here, so expect a bit of texture.
- Waves around head high (1.4m faces), a good size for an advanced surfer.
- South-south-easterly swell at 9 seconds, an angle this spot likes.
- High tide and dropping at 5am, but this spot prefers mid tide.
- Wind swings south-south-westerly 8 kn around 6am, so it'll get choppy.
Forecast checked Sat, 3 Oct, 9:14 pm Gold Coast time.
When is Bells Beach good?
- Best wind
- North-westerly (offshore) or none
- Best swell
- East to south-west
- Best tide
- Mid tide
- Suits
- Advanced+
It is for advanced surfers.
It gets most of the open-ocean swell, so there is usually something to ride. A north-westerly wind blows offshore here, so mornings before the sea breeze are usually cleanest. Get Frothin’ checks the wind, swell, tide and the live wave buoys every hour and tells you, in plain English, whether it's worth paddling out at Bells Beach for your level.
Watch out
Powerful waves over reef, cold water and a strong crowd.
Frequently asked
What are the best conditions for surfing Bells Beach?
Bells Beach is best with a north-westerly (offshore) wind or no wind, a east to south-west swell and mid tide. It gets most of the open-ocean swell, so there is usually something to ride.
What wind is offshore at Bells Beach?
A north-westerly wind (NW) blows straight offshore at Bells Beach, holding the waves up and keeping them clean. Light winds are good too. Onshore winds make it choppy.
Is Bells Beach good for beginners?
No. Bells Beach is for advanced surfers. Beginners should try Jan Juc or Torquay (Fisherman's Beach) instead.
What should I watch out for at Bells Beach?
Powerful waves over reef, cold water and a strong crowd.
Nearby breaks
- Winkipop 0.8 km
- Jan Juc 2.5 km
- Torquay (Fisherman's Beach) 5.4 km