Winkipop
Also known as: Winki
Bells' faster, longer-walled neighbour - a high-performance right peeling up to 150m; some locals rate it above the Bells Bowl.
Best time to surf
Autumn-winter-spring SW groundswells (~Mar-Oct); works when smaller/windier than Bells too
Shoulder season: Good - a strong option in autumn/spring and even when Bells is small
The wave
Break type: Reef point break (right)
Bottom: Reef (sandstone reef point, immediately east of Bells)
Wave direction: Right (two main sections)
Typical wave length: Long - freighting lines running up to ~150m
Ideal swell: SW-SSW long-period groundswell (15s+; best ~215-196 deg); handles size, can beat Bells on wider/W swells
Ideal wind: Offshore from NW (WNW-NW)
Working tide: Best around mid tide on a rising tide (same reef system as Bells)
Difficulty & skill
Difficulty (1-5): 4
Skill level: Advanced; can suit intermediates when smaller
Options for a mixed group: Advanced/intermediate wave - send beginners to Torquay Front Beach / Cosy Corner; Jan Juc for improvers
Safety & hazards
Cold water, rocks/reef, strong rips, powerful long walls, exposed cliff-base access, Southern Ocean shark presence
Dial 000; nearest patrols Jan Juc SLSC and Torquay SLSC; nearest major hospital University Hospital Geelong (~21-25 km)
Crowd, access & conditions
Crowd & localism: Crowded when working; a coveted world-class right, competitive lineup
Access & parking: Via the Bells Beach Rd car park precinct, then walk along the reef/cliff to the point; steep descent
Surf schools & rental: Not a learner venue; Torquay operators for hire/guiding - Go Ride A Wave, Torquay Surf Academy, Westcoast Surf School
Water temp & wetsuit: Cold ~13-19 C seasonally; 3/2 in warmer months, 4/3 steamer + boots in winter, hood/gloves midwinter
Crowds, access and local conditions change - confirm locally before you paddle out.
Around the break
Facilities: None at the break; Torquay township nearby for food, retail, the surfing museum, Rip Curl/Quiksilver HQ
For non-surfers: Great Ocean Road scenic drive, Bells clifftop lookout, Point Addis, Australian National Surfing Museum (Torquay), Otways walks
Location
Nearest hub: Surf Coast / Torquay (VIC)
-38.3700, 144.2900 (approximate)
Live conditions
Today's swell, wind and tide are a runtime layer - check the live sources: Surf-Forecast Winki Pop; Surfline Winkipop; Surf Atlas Bells/Winkipop
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand surf report. Coordinates are approximate.