Bells Beach
Bells Beach is Australian surfing's spiritual home—a powerful right-hand point break carved into the dramatic cliffs of Victoria's Great Ocean Road. Home to the world's longest-running professional surf contest (since 1962), Bells delivers cold-water power in the form of long, bowling walls that demand committed rail surfing. The clifftop amphitheater atmosphere makes competition days electric. When autumn and winter groundswells from the Southern Ocean combine with rare northerly winds, Bells transforms into one of the world's premier right-handers.
Bells Beach surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (184°)
- Direction range
- 161° - 216°
- Size range
- 1m - 4m
- Ideal size
- 2.3m - 3.3m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (308°)
- Offshore range
- 283° - 350°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.6m - 1.8m
Water temp
14°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
7/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Bells Beach?
Bells Beach is a point break in Victoria, Australia, that mostly breaks right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Bells Beach?
Bells is named after William Bell, a Geelong businessman and grazier who owned much of the land there from the 1840s. Getting down to the beach was a real problem until 1960, when Torquay surfers and Olympic wrestler Joe Sweeney bulldozed a road and charged one pound per surfer to cover the cost. The final scene of Point Break is set at Bells, but it was actually filmed in Oregon.
What swell works best at Bells Beach?
Bells Beach picks up swell from the SSE round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 4m, with the sweet spot around 2.3 to 3.3m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Bells Beach?
A NW wind is dead offshore at Bells Beach, and anything from the WNW round to the N keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Bells Beach?
Bells Beach is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.6m to 1.8m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Bells Beach?
The most reliable run of swell at Bells Beach comes Mar to Oct. Autumn-Spring. Big SW swells.
How cold is the water at Bells Beach?
The water at Bells Beach averages around 14°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Bells Beach good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Cold water. Shark activity. Strong currents.
How do I get to Bells Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is MEL, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Bells Beach?
The closest breaks we track are Winki Pop (0.8 km), Point Impossible (11 km) and Thirteenth Beach (19 km), handy when Bells Beach isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Autumn-Spring. Big SW swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Winki Pop
🔔 Bells' barrel neighbor • Local crew heavy • Victorian proving ground
Point Impossible
🌊 Surf Coast sleeper • Less crowds than Bells • Two-section reef
Thirteenth Beach
🏖️ Melbourne's reliable option • Multiple peaks • Consistent catchall
Black Rock
🦭 Victorian reef right • Cold water barrels • Seal colony neighbor
Johanna Beach
🌿 Great Ocean Road power • Otway backdrop • Wild Victorian coast
Cape Woolamai
🐧 Phillip Island main break • Southern Ocean power • Wild Victoria
Plan a trip around Bells Beach
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.