Bells Beach, Jan Juc and Torquay are only a few kilometres apart, but they surf very differently. Bells and Winkipop are exposed reef and point breaks for experienced surfers, Jan Juc is a beach break with strong rips, and Torquay has the sheltered corners where most people learn. All of them get crowded when conditions are right.
Water temperature and wetsuits
The water sits around 12 to 14 °C in August, 15 to 17 °C in November and December, and peaks near 20 °C in February and March. It is wetsuit water all year. A 4/3 mm suit with 3 mm boots suits the warmer months; in winter most people wear a 5/3 mm, especially for long sessions or on a windy day. A few cloudy days in a row can drop the temperature below the seasonal average.
Learning to surf
Learn at Torquay, not at Jan Juc or Bells. Cosy Corner, the sheltered nook on Torquay's front beach beside Point Danger, is protected from the bigger swells, has lifeguards in season, and is where most beginners start.
Torquay Surfing Academy and Go Ride a Wave both run lessons and hire out boards and wetsuits from Bell Street, a short walk from the beach. Group lessons include the board and wetsuit. Book ahead for summer weekends and the school holidays, and check with the school for current times and prices.
Staying safe
Swim and surf between the red and yellow flags wherever they are up. Torquay and Jan Juc are patrolled by their surf life saving clubs through the summer season; Bells Beach and Winkipop are never patrolled. Rips run at both ends of Jan Juc and at the rocky ends of Torquay's surf beach. If one takes you, stay calm, float, and raise an arm to signal for help.
Check patrol times and conditions on Beachsafe, and the wind, swell and tides with the Bureau of Meteorology, before you paddle out. In an emergency, call 000.
Bells Beach and Winkipop
The exposed reef and point breaks make the surf here consistent, although summer conditions tend to flatten it out. It is best with a north-westerly wind, a south-westerly swell and the tide around halfway to high.
The rips make Bells hazardous when the surf is big; leave it to experienced surfers then. Winkipop, right next door on the Jan Juc side, is a long, fast right-hander for experienced surfers only. Point Addis is the next headland west, towards Anglesea.
Every Easter Bells Beach hosts the Rip Curl Pro, which brings surfers from around the world. See what's on for the next waiting period, and Bells Beach for the beach itself.
Jan Juc
An exposed beach break with consistent surf and both lefts and rights. Conditions are best with a north-westerly wind and a south-westerly swell, and it works through the low and high tide range.
The rips here can be treacherous and suit more experienced surfers. Bird Rock, Steps, Boobs and Sparrows are all within a kilometre or so.
Torquay
Torquay's surf beach is a reef and point break with consistent conditions, again best in a north-westerly wind and a south-westerly swell. There are lefts and rights, but watch the rocks and rips at either end. Jan Juc is just around Rocky Point, and Bird Rock, Boobs, Fisherman's Beach and Sparrows are all about a kilometre away.
Contests
The area holds state, national and international titles every year, the most famous being the Rip Curl Pro at Bells each Easter. The surf life saving clubs run inter-club competitions through summer, from nippers right through to seniors.