Surf Forecasts:
Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, W swell with 10,205 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 20 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period with WNW 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 (Sep 20) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon night, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Mon night, near gales from the WSW by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the SW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 | NW 6 | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 9 | W 9 | W 12 | W 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 13 | W 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | W 11 | WSW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 338 | 233 | 219 | 426 | 418 | 662 | 1236 | 5910 | 10205 | 5929 | 3267 | 1784 | 1827 | 1773 | 3750 | 6739 | 5132 | 2555 | 1170 | 1816 | 1625 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:57AM3.66m | 11:12PM3.62m | 11:30AM3.42m | 11:49PM3.29m | 12:06PM3.15m | 00:33AM2.95m | 12:52PM2.88m | 1:37AM2.66m | 2:12PM2.66m | 3:23AM2.51m | 4:03PM2.64m | 5:03AM2.59m | 5:23PM2.83m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:56AM0.29m | 5:10PM0.47m | 5:29AM0.61m | 5:45PM0.73m | 6:03AM0.94m | 6:24PM1.03m | 6:43AM1.27m | 7:14PM1.32m | 7:38AM1.54m | 8:32PM1.55m | 9:13AM1.70m | 10:33PM1.54m | 11:05AM1.60m | 11:53PM1.29m | |||||||
 | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | |  | | |  |  | | | | |
 | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — |
 | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:22 | — |
mm | 5 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 8 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 9 | — | NNE 8 | W 12 | N 10 | N 9 | N 8 | — | — | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | N 8 | NNE 9 |
| kJ | 338 | 233 | 186 | 330 | 418 | 135 | 46 | 31 | 25 | — | 13 | 1784 | 7 | 6 | 1 | — | — | 2555 | 1170 | 6 | 16 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | N 10 | — | NNE 8 | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 73 | 47 | — | 252 | 299 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 11 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 426 | 176 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 5 | NW 6 | — | — | WSW 9 | W 9 | W 12 | W 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 13 | W 12 | — | WSW 6 | W 11 | WSW 10 |
| kJ | — | 46 | 219 | — | — | 662 | 1236 | 5910 | 10205 | 5929 | 3267 | — | 1827 | 1773 | 3750 | 6739 | 5132 | — | 201 | 1816 | 1625 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 1053 | 769 | 248 | 2 | 45 | 441 | 672 | 719 | 393 | 100 | 393 | 778 | 224 | 393 | 386 | 315 | 31 | 99 | 45 | 45 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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