Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Wednesday 10 Dec 2025 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
10.7° C
(Which is 1.0°C warmer than 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 Friday (Dec 12) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 12 days are 10.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Dec 14) 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 16) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Fri 12th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Best Surf 6AM (Fri 12th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 9AM (Sun 14th Dec)34ft (10.5m) 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 Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (gales from the WSW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Thu afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat night, min 6°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (gales from the SW on Sun night, light winds from the SE by Mon night).

Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
3
0
!
!
!
0
!
0
!
!
0
0
!
4
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
5.5
WSW
7
W
5
W
3
W
2.5
W
3
W
4
W
4
W
4
W
4
W
3.5
W
4.5
WSW
11
W
7
W
4
W
4.5
W
3.5
W
2.3
W
1.8
W
6
W
4
W
Period(s) (?)131212131317161816161513181716141313141110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1091214134661433692584575774319614754386545605768668250301647854822037811783115875542562
Wind
(km/h)
65
SW
75
WSW
55
SW
35
SSW
20
S
20
SW
15
S
25
SSW
30
S
40
SSW
20
SSE
40
WSW
40
SW
30
SSW
75
SW
45
SW
15
SSW
15
SE
25
W
30
WSW
25
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
oncross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:33AM
3.62
12:27AM
3.05
12:33PM
3.41
1:34AM
2.92
1:38PM
3.22
2:41AM
2.89
2:44PM
3.11
3:42AM
2.94
3:46PM
3.06
4:34AM
3.04
4:42PM
3.09
5:20AM
3.16
5:31PM
3.16
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:04PM
0.57
6:12AM
1.12
7:04PM
0.79
7:15AM
1.31
8:10PM
0.94
8:28AM
1.41
9:17PM
1.02
9:42AM
1.38
10:17PM
1.01
10:45AM
1.26
11:08PM
0.96
11:34AM
1.09
11:51PM
0.88
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Sunrise8:56--8:57--8:59--9:00--9:00--9:02--9:03--
Sunset-3:26--3:25--3:25--3:25--3:23--3:23--3:23-
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
clear
Rain (mm)
1-2-11---1-24-1-2521-
Temp. °C10101112109788881291011877797
Feels °C (?)-3-5055521-1-220033-232021
  • 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 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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