Winki Pop
Winki Pop is the high-performance right-hander that sits immediately west of Bells Beach, sharing the same cliff backdrop and cold Southern Ocean waters. The wave breaks faster and hollower than Bells, offering a more critical barrel section on solid swells. The local crew here is tight and experienced—this is not a spot for beginners or those unfamiliar with localism. When SW groundswells coincide with NW winds, Winki Pop produces some of Victoria's best barrels. The wave has featured in countless Australian surf films and is considered a proving ground for local surfers.
Winki Pop surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (210°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 250°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Offshore range
- 270° - 360°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
14°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
8/10
Access: Walk from Bells Beach carpark along the cliff path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Winki Pop?
Winki Pop is a reef break in Torquay, Australia, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Winki Pop?
Winki Pop picks up swell from the S round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.9 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s 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 Winki Pop?
A NW wind is dead offshore at Winki Pop, and anything from the W round to the N keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 5am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Winki Pop?
Winki Pop is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Winki Pop?
The most reliable run of swell at Winki Pop comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Winter swells. Best on SW groundswell with NW winds.
How cold is the water at Winki Pop?
The water at Winki Pop 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 Winki Pop good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. It gets busy (crowd 8/10), so mind the pecking order. Very localized. Respect the lineup. Sharp reef.
How do I get to Winki Pop?
The nearest airport on our list is MEL, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Walk from Bells Beach carpark along the cliff path.
What other surf spots are near Winki Pop?
The closest breaks we track are Bells Beach (0.8 km), Point Impossible (10 km) and Thirteenth Beach (18 km), handy when Winki Pop isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Winter swells. Best on SW groundswell with NW winds.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Bells Beach
🔔 Home of the Rip Curl Pro • Australia's competitive soul • Cold water power
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