Bells Beach called off due to small swell

The Bells Beach World Surf League event has been called off for the day with event officials anticipating a larger swell for the weekend.

The World Surf League tour event at Bells Beach has been put on hold due to small surf conditions. (AAP)

The World Surf League tour event at Bells Beach has been put on hold for the second time in as many days due to small surf conditions and southerly winds.

"As expected, conditions at Bells today are quite poor," World Surf League Commissioner Kieren Perrow said in a statement on Friday.

"The swell has dropped even further and the wind is coming from the south, which is not idea," Perrow said.

"The good news is that forecasts suggest that it is only going to improve from here with swell increasing and winds becoming more favourable."

Event organisers will reconvene early on Saturday morning to reassess the conditions.

Defending event winner Matt Wilkinson will be first-up when the competition resumes.

WilkInson will be up against three-time WSL champion Mick Fanning and Jadson Andre in the opening heat of round one.