Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Sunday 15 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
7.5° 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 Sunday (Mar 15) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 6.5m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 14s is also forecast. 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 8.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 16) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Mar 22) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sun 15th Mar)21ft (6.5m) 19s
Best Surf 9PM (Sun 15th Mar)21ft (6.5m) 19s
Most Powerful 9AM (Mon 16th Mar)26ft (8.0m) 19s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue morning, min 4°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Mon afternoon, near gales from the SSW by Tue morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Wed morning, min 6°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Wed morning, calm by Thu morning).

Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
!
!
!
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
4
4
2
4
4
4
4
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
W
4.5
W
7
W
8
W
6.5
W
4.5
W
3.5
W
4.5
W
4
WSW
3.5
W
3.5
W
3
W
2.4
WNW
2.1
WNW
1.6
WNW
1.2
WNW
1.7
WNW
2.3
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.2
WNW
1.9
WNW
Period(s) (?)121119191716141313121313121212111412141312
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2582477237461454832671497924688673552523330379426401578112177335610901505218016731035
Wind
(km/h)
40
WSW
50
WSW
50
WSW
55
WSW
35
SW
50
SW
55
SSW
45
SW
40
SW
35
SW
30
WSW
20
W
10
W
10
ENE
15
SSE
5
SSW
5
ENE
10
SSE
5
SE
5
ENE
25
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononoffcross-
off
cross-
on
offcross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:05PM
3.07
6:11AM
3.40
6:40PM
3.35
6:44AM
3.71
7:13PM
3.62
7:15AM
3.97
7:44PM
3.83
7:48AM
4.17
8:16PM
3.98
8:22AM
4.27
8:48PM
4.04
8:58AM
4.26
9:23PM
4.00
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:54AM
0.98
12:04AM
1.03
12:31PM
0.62
12:40AM
0.74
1:05PM
0.28
1:15AM
0.47
1:38PM
-0.00
1:49AM
0.26
2:12PM
-0.18
2:24AM
0.11
2:48PM
-0.24
3:01AM
0.05
3:24PM
-0.16
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunrise6:35--6:33--6:31--6:28--6:24--6:22--6:18--
Sunset-6:20--6:22--6:24--6:27--6:29--6:31--6:34-
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
323118-2-------------
Temp. °C655781112889988778889107
Feels °C (?)-3-7-7-44-11-2-3124643655671
  • 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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