Bells Beach offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, jet skiing, paddleboarding, and photography. If you plan to go into the water, Bells Beach is not ideal for swimming due to strong waves. Bells Beach is a prime surfing hotspot in the region, which is protected as part of the Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve. It is known for its consistent surf breaks, where waves can reach heights of six meters during big swells, which attract surfers from all over the world throughout the year. The beach faces southwest, making it perfectly aligned to catch the powerful swells rolling in from the Southern Ocean. Interestingly, Bells Beach's surf breaks include "Southside," "Centreside," "Rincon," "Boobs," "Steps," and "Winki Pop," an adjacent break offering faster waves known internationally as one of the best breaks in Victoria. This popular surf coast is renowned for its right-hand point break, ideal for experienced surfers. In addition, to know the Bells Beach surf forecast, the live webcams are installed near the shore that offer a real-time feed of the beach conditions. It is considered sacred ground by surfers, often referred to as the "Mecca of Surfing." In addition, there is a Bells Beach Lookout Point near the cliffs surrounding the beach that provides excellent vantage points for watching surfers competing and enjoying the natural beauty.
Bells Beach also hosts many interesting events, including the Rip Curl GromSearch National Series and the extremely popular Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running pro surfing competition—now known as the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, which has been held every Easter since 1962. Bells Beach has hosted some of the world’s greatest surfers, including Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, and Layne Beachley. Bells Beach is a key stop on Australia’s famous Great Ocean Road, a must-see destination for tourists. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, which is open from sunrise until sunset.