Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Tuesday 21 Apr 2026 BST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Balnakiel Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Balnakiel Bay sea temperature is
8.1° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Tuesday (Apr 21) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 1.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Tue 21st Apr)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s
Best Surf10AM (Tue 21st Apr)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 1PM (Tue 21st Apr)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Fri morning, min 5°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Mon
27
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
W
1
W
1.3
W
1
W
0.7
W
0.5
W
0.4
WNW
0.3
W
0.3
W
0.2
W
0.2
W
0.3
NNE
0.4
NNE
0.4
NNE
0.9
NNE
0.9
N
1.2
NNE
1.2
NNE
1
NNE
1
NNE
1
NNE
Period(s) (?)13151412111110998911109889991010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)5604596182991195933141466233126101103265248181201205
Wind
(km/h)
20
ESE
20
ESE
25
ENE
15
E
15
E
20
ENE
15
ESE
15
E
20
ENE
15
ESE
5
NE
10
N
5
NNW
15
NE
25
E
20
SE
10
SE
5
N
10
SSW
15
SW
15
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offoffcross-
off
offoffoffoffoffoffcross-
off
glasscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
glasscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:43PM
3.92
11:12AM
3.74
11:30PM
3.70
12:10PM
3.40
12:28AM
3.44
1:24PM
3.07
1:43AM
3.22
2:57PM
2.89
3:13AM
3.14
4:27PM
2.92
4:34AM
3.22
5:36PM
3.08
5:38AM
3.38
6:28PM
3.28
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:10AM
0.16
5:31PM
0.49
6:01AM
0.41
6:23PM
0.84
7:03AM
0.69
7:26PM
1.16
8:21AM
0.90
8:48PM
1.37
9:53AM
0.94
10:20PM
1.36
11:13AM
0.80
11:34PM
1.18
12:11PM
0.61
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Mon
27
Sunrise-5:50--5:48--5:46--5:43--5:41--5:37--5:35-
Sunset--8:45--8:46--8:50--8:52--8:53--8:57--8:59
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C7997788111210111087871111101111
Feels °C (?)133433467587522199868
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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