Bells Beach, Surf beach on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia.
This coastal location along the Great Ocean Road features powerful reef breaks, rocky cliff formations, and open ocean swells that create challenging conditions for experienced surfers year-round.
The beach was named after William Bell, a Geelong businessman and landowner from the 1840s, and gained surfing accessibility in 1960 when locals cleared a pathway down the cliffs.
The annual Rip Curl Pro surfing competition has been held here every Easter since 1961, making it the longest-running professional surfing event in the world and a celebrated gathering for the surfing community.
The beach is unsuitable for swimming due to strong currents and large waves, with no lifeguard patrols available, so visitors should observe surfing from the cliff-top viewing areas or swim at nearby patrolled beaches like Jan Juc.
The amphitheatre-shaped coastline provides natural stadium seating for spectators to watch professional surfers compete in powerful swells generated by the Southern Ocean, creating an unparalleled viewing experience for surf competitions.
Location: Bells Beach
Address: Bells Beach VIC 3228, Australia 3228 Bells Beach
GPS coordinates: -38.36144,144.26092
Latest update: November 19, 2025 07:46
This collection includes renowned surf spots around the world, located across multiple continents and oceans. From the north coast of Oahu in Hawaii to Australian beaches like Bells Beach and Snapper Rocks, these locations attract surfers from around the world for their consistent waves and favorable conditions. The sites feature diverse characteristics suitable for different skill levels. Banzai Pipeline produces tube-shaped waves over coral reefs, while Supertubes at Jeffreys Bay offers rapid rights over 300 meters. Mavericks in California and Teahupo'o in Tahiti are known for their large waves requiring advanced experience, whereas Rincon Point and Hossegor provide accessible waves with quality sessions. Each destination has its own seasons and geological formations determining surf conditions. Rocky reefs, sandbanks, and coral bottoms create waves with distinct profiles, helping surfers choose their playground based on their skills and preferences.
Southside Beach
3.7 km
Southside Clothing Optional (nudist) Beach
1.9 km
Bells Beach
2.1 km
Addiscot Beach
2.5 km
Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve
2.4 km
Bird Rock Lookout
3.8 km
Scenic viewpoint
2.2 km
Princess Street (Steps/Boobs)
3.2 km
Salt and Pepper Gallery
1.8 km
Princes Street
3.6 km
Southside
1.9 km
Scenic viewpoint
2.2 km
Scenic viewpoint
2 km
Scenic viewpoint
3.4 km
Great Ocean Road Tandem Paragliding Southside Launch
1.9 km
Scenic viewpoint
3.3 km
Princes Street
3.8 km
Scenic viewpoint
3.2 km
Scenic viewpoint
2.8 km
Scenic viewpoint
2.3 km
Scenic viewpoint
1.7 km
Scenic viewpoint
3.4 km
Scenic viewpoint
2.4 km
Scenic viewpoint
2 km
Scenic viewpoint
3.8 km
Scenic viewpoint
2.2 km
Abandoned well
1.8 km
Old Jarosite Mine
1.9 kmReviews
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