Balnakiel Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.58° N 4.77° W

Balnakiel Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 23 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Balnakiel Bay sea temperature is
12.4°C
0.7° 

Balnakiel Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 24 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 25 Oct, 9AM (local time) - 28ft (8.5m), 13s period, W swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 25 Oct, 12PM (local time) - 34ft (10.5m), 14s period, WNW swell with 43,404 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 25 Oct, 9AM (local time) - 28ft (8.5m), 13s 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 Sunday (Oct 25) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 8.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 10.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Oct 25) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Oct 24) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Sun 25th Oct)28ft (8.5m) 13s
Best Surf 9AM (Sun 25th Oct)28ft (8.5m) 13s
Most Powerful12PM (Sun 25th Oct)34ft (10.5m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 10°C on Mon morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Fri night, stormy winds from the WNW by Sun morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed night, min 8°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (gales from the SW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Thu morning).

Fri
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
0
0
!
!
0
0
3
2
0
!
!
0
0
0
3
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.2
W
12
2.4
W
13
2.4
W
13
1.8
W
12
2.5
W
12
8.5
W
13
9.5
WNW
14
7
WNW
13
4
WNW
11
2.1
W
11
1.7
WNW
12
5.5
WSW
11
8
W
14
7.5
W
14
5.5
W
13
5.5
W
12
2.5
WSW
12
3
WSW
10
2.2
W
11
1.8
W
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1415
1932
1909
925
2165
22077
36730
15745
3786
1027
780
7692
26079
21990
9961
7604
1748
1622
1075
792
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
15
WSW
25
SE
50
SSE
45
SSW
95
WNW
85
W
60
W
25
WSW
20
SE
20
SSE
65
SSW
75
SW
60
WSW
50
WSW
50
WSW
45
SW
20
SSE
20
S
15
SSE
Wind State
on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
on
on
on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
6:43PM3.57m
7:16AM3.58m
7:18PM3.80m
7:49AM3.81m
7:54PM3.99m
8:22AM3.97m
8:32PM4.09m
8:56AM4.06m
9:12PM4.10m
9:34AM4.04m
9:55PM3.99m
10:14AM3.94m
10:42PM3.76m
Low Tide
1:07AM0.37m
1:22PM0.62m
1:43AM0.13m
1:59PM0.37m
2:19AM-0.02m
2:37PM0.17m
2:57AM-0.07m
3:16PM0.06m
3:37AM-0.00m
3:58PM0.05m
4:19AM0.18m
4:43PM0.16m
light rain
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
mod rain
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
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cloud
cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
—
—
8:14
—
—
7:17
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—
8:18
—
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8:22
—
—
8:23
—
—
8:26
—
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
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5:50
—
—
4:47
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5:45
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5:42
—
—
5:39
—
—
5:37
—
 mm
1
1
—
11
9
7
4
—
—
—
4
1
1
7
—
—
—
—
—
3
Temp °C
8
8
8
8
9
8
8
9
10
10
12
11
8
11
11
12
13
13
14
12
Feels °C
4
3
-1
-1
-1
-11
-10
-2
6
5
1
-2
-8
-1
0
2
4
9
10
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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