Surf Forecasts:
Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 27 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 3 Oct, 10AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 1 Oct, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, WSW swell with 2,679 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 28 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Balnakiel Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 28) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Oct 01) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 30) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 28th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sat 3rd Oct) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 1st Oct) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat night, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sun morning, fresh winds from the SE by Tue afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Tue night, light winds from the SSE by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 27 | Monday 28 | Tuesday 29 | Wednesday 30 | Thursday 1 | Friday 2 | Saturday 3 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | W 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 745 | 720 | 1170 | 1456 | 1354 | 751 | 347 | 188 | 128 | 22 | 35 | 612 | 2048 | 2679 | 1755 | 2032 | 1455 | 841 | 2210 | 1727 | 1070 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | on | on |
High Tide | 8:53AM3.90m | 8:59PM4.14m | 9:24AM3.97m | 9:33PM4.14m | 9:56AM3.95m | 10:10PM4.03m | 10:31AM3.84m | 10:50PM3.82m | 11:11AM3.65m | 11:38PM3.52m | 12:00PM3.39m | 00:38AM3.18m | 1:06PM3.14m | 2:08AM2.90m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:03PM0.21m | 3:24AM-0.11m | 3:38PM0.14m | 3:59AM-0.05m | 4:15PM0.16m | 4:37AM0.12m | 4:55PM0.28m | 5:17AM0.39m | 5:39PM0.49m | 6:04AM0.72m | 6:33PM0.75m | 7:01AM1.07m | 7:44PM1.00m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | | | | |  | | |  |  | |  | | | | |
 | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — |
 | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:47 | — |
mm | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 5 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 10 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 12 | W 11 | NNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | E 9 | W 16 | WSW 15 | E 9 | W 13 | ESE 7 | W 12 | W 11 | ESE 5 | — | — |
| kJ | 745 | 720 | 79 | 1456 | 39 | 751 | 347 | 188 | 128 | 22 | 80 | 612 | 2048 | 25 | 1755 | 10 | 1455 | 841 | 8 | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | ESE 8 | NNW 11 | — | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | WSW 13 | E 10 | E 10 | N 10 | E 8 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | — | — |
| kJ | 33 | 60 | 6 | 71 | — | 20 | 37 | 36 | 20 | 19 | 35 | 94 | 65 | 8 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 29 | 31 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 4 | — | — | — | NNW 12 | — | — | — | — | NNW 9 | SW 5 | N 11 | — | N 11 | N 11 | NNE 10 | N 9 | SE 4 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 8 | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 4 | 9 | — | 9 | 9 | 10 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | — | W 11 | SSW 4 | W 11 | E 7 | SE 4 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 4 | SE 4 | WSW 14 | SSE 3 | W 12 | — | SSE 3 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 27 | — | 1170 | 29 | 1354 | 3 | 23 | 115 | 271 | 350 | 101 | 28 | 27 | 2679 | 8 | 2032 | — | 3 | 2210 | 1727 | 1070 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 390 | 31 | 45 | 72 | 45 | 0 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 306 | 187 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 17 | 45 | 45 | 31 | 31 | 216 | 45 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Balnakiel Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Balnakiel Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Balnakiel Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Balnakiel Bay surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Balnakiel Bay) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Balnakiel Bay may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Scotland - North Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Balnakiel Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Scotland - North Coast, consider staying in Scrabster which is 72 km (45 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Wick which is 99 km (61 miles) away
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