Bells Beach, VIC

Home of the Rip Curl Pro since 1961 — a powerful reef break on Bass Strait that produces some of Australia's heaviest waves.

Live AI Coastal Briefing

Sunday 12 July is shaping up to be a great day to get outdoors and enjoy the coastal lifestyle, with a current temperature of 8C and mostly cloudy conditions. The cloud cover is sitting at 69%, and the humidity is at 89%, so it's feeling a bit damp out there. The wind is blowing at 27 km/h from the WNW, with some stronger gusts of up to 57 km/h, so it's going to be a bit breezy.



The ocean conditions are looking pretty good for surfers, with a wave height of 1.32m, which is waist to chest high, and some solid surf to be had. The water temperature is a cool 14.2C, so a 3/2 full wetsuit is recommended if you're planning to get in the water. The tides are looking good, with a high tide of 4.2m at 08:32 am and a low tide of -2.2m at 02:05 pm.



For all you sports and fitness enthusiasts out there, today is a great day to get out and enjoy the coast. Surfers will love the powerful reef break, which is producing some heavy waves, but please be aware that it's not suitable for inexperienced swimmers. Runners and cyclists will enjoy the cool and breezy conditions, while anglers will have a great time trying to catch some fish in the ocean. Paddleboarders will also have a blast navigating the waves and exploring the coastline.



As we head into the afternoon, the temperature is expected to reach a maximum of 8C, and with no rain expected, it's going to be a great day to stay outdoors and soak up the sunshine. The UV index is low, so you don't need to worry about special protection, and the air quality is good, with an AQI of 25. So, grab your board, your bike, or your running shoes, and get out there and enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery – it's going to be a fantastic day.

About This Coastline

Bells Beach is a celebrated surf reserve west of Torquay, enclosed by high ochre cliffs and exposed to the powerful swells of the Southern Ocean.

Rather than relying on a single attraction, the destination draws strength from the combined presence of landscape, community and maritime activity.

The Vibe

The atmosphere is focused and elemental rather than resort-like.

Surfers study the lines from cliff-top lookouts, spectators gather for major events, and the beach itself remains largely free of commercial development. The experience is shaped as much by sound and movement as by appearance, from wind through coastal vegetation to boats, birds or breaking waves.

The Local Anchor

The Rip Curl Pro, held in the wider Bells area, is one of professional surfing’s longest-running major contests and forms the beach’s clearest cultural anchor.

Its place within the Surf Coast also connects it to generations of Victorian surf history. Its local anchor helps organise the place visually and culturally, giving visitors a reference point amid a much larger coastline.

The Landscape

Bells is not a broad, gentle swimming beach.

Reef breaks, deep water, strong currents and changing swell make it a location for experienced surfers and careful observation, while the cliffs and coastal heath create a stark, dramatic setting. Changes in tide and weather continually redraw the boundary between land and water, particularly around reefs, estuaries and shallow bays.

The result is a shoreline where natural conditions, community history and everyday recreation remain closely connected.