Bells Beach
Bells Beach is Australian surfing's spiritual home—a powerful right-hand point break carved into the dramatic sandstone 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 famous "Ring the Bell" trophy ceremony and the clifftop amphitheater atmosphere make 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.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (184°)
- Direction range
- 161° - 216°
- Size range
- 1m - 4m
- Ideal size
- 3.1m
- 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 tide is best at Bells Beach?
Bells Beach works best on a mid to high tide, ideally between 0.6m and 1.8m on the local tide chart. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at Bells Beach?
Offshore wind at Bells Beach blows from the NW (308°). Anything in the 283° to 350° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Bells Beach?
Bells Beach wants S swell (161° to 216°) between 1m and 4m, with a period of 16s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Bells Beach?
The main season at Bells Beach is Mar-Oct. Autumn-Spring. Big SW swells.
How do I get to Bells Beach?
Fly into MEL, then allow about 90 minutes by road.
What kind of wave is Bells Beach?
Bells Beach is a point break, a right-hander. Difficulty is rated 7/10.
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