Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Tuesday 10 Mar 2026 GMT
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
7.7° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 16) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 6.5m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 12 days are 6.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 16) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Mar 17) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Mon 16th Mar)21ft (6.5m) 18s
Best Surf 6AM (Mon 16th Mar)21ft (6.5m) 18s
Most Powerful 6AM (Mon 16th Mar)21ft (6.5m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 12 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue night, min 3°C on Thu night). Mainly gales.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Sat morning, min 4°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Sat night, strong winds from the W by Sun afternoon).

Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tue
17
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
!
!
!
3
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
W
7
W
6
W
5
W
4
W
4.5
W
6
W
4
W
4
W
5
WNW
5
WNW
4
WNW
3
WNW
2.3
WNW
3
W
4.5
WNW
6
WNW
5.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3
W
3.5
W
Period(s) (?)13131413131416151514131212129111817161414
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)245614933136328755574085241649570787026106117969534328941390177947282337416381597236063788
Wind
(km/h)
40
SSW
60
W
50
WSW
40
SW
40
SW
50
SW
50
SSW
45
SW
45
W
40
W
30
W
30
W
20
WSW
20
SSE
40
W
40
W
30
WSW
20
SSE
30
SSE
15
SSE
20
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crossoncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
onononononcross-
off
ononcross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:02AM
2.84
12:38PM
2.67
1:17AM
2.62
2:24PM
2.49
3:15AM
2.59
4:15PM
2.56
4:41AM
2.79
5:21PM
2.79
5:33AM
3.09
6:05PM
3.07
6:11AM
3.40
6:40PM
3.35
6:44AM
3.71
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:21AM
1.36
6:47PM
1.54
7:37AM
1.59
8:23PM
1.70
9:44AM
1.59
10:20PM
1.59
11:08AM
1.33
11:23PM
1.33
11:54AM
0.98
12:04AM
1.03
12:31PM
0.62
12:40AM
0.74
1:05PM
0.28
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tue
17
Sunrise-6:48--6:45--6:41--6:39--6:35--6:33--6:31-
Sunset--6:10--6:13--6:15--6:17--6:20--6:22--6:24
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
heavy rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
Rain (mm)
311199232242--434-1427
Temp. °C1066765565677655566894
Feels °C (?)4-7-6-6-3-7-5-4-6-4-1-10-1-5-6-2015-2
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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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