Bells Beach
Torquay, Victoria, Australia
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: March–September
Bells Beach lies on Victoria's Surf Coast, just south-west of Torquay, below limestone cliffs. It hosts the world's longest-running professional surfing contest, held every Easter, and the neighbouring break of Winkipop sits just to the east.
The wave is a long right-hander breaking over a rock reef ledge, with several sections that link up on solid swells. It faces the Southern Ocean and needs south-west swells, which are most consistent from autumn to spring, roughly March to September. North-west, north and west winds blow offshore and are most common in the cooler months. Small days suit capable intermediates, but when the swell is big the wave is powerful and the paddle-out and currents are demanding, so it is best for experienced surfers. The line-up is crowded on good days, especially on weekends and holidays. The cliffs and car park give a good view, and there is a stairway down to the beach. The water is cold: a 3/2 in late summer, and a 4/3 or 5/4 with boots in winter.
Spots near Bells Beach
- Melbourne – St Kilda (82 km)
- Phillip Island – Woolamai (94 km)