Surf Forecasts:
Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, WSW swell with 1,270 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period with N 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Wed afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Wed morning, strong winds from the SW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat morning, light winds from the SW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 514 | 1016 | 566 | 197 | 108 | 61 | 218 | 1033 | 1202 | 1129 | 709 | 627 | 978 | 614 | 606 | 778 | 573 | 414 | 373 | 304 | 305 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:53PM3.21m | 1:07AM3.36m | 1:50PM3.07m | 2:14AM3.16m | 3:05PM2.98m | 3:40AM3.04m | 4:30PM3.03m | 5:11AM3.11m | 5:48PM3.24m | 6:27AM3.30m | 6:51PM3.55m | 7:28AM3.54m | 7:44PM3.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:06PM0.96m | 7:42AM0.83m | 8:05PM1.13m | 8:48AM1.04m | 9:25PM1.21m | 10:14AM1.12m | 10:59PM1.11m | 11:39AM1.02m | 00:18AM0.81m | 12:46PM0.79m | 1:19AM0.44m | 1:39PM0.53m | 2:10AM0.10m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:31 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:27 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:16 |
mm | 1 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 4 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 12 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | W 10 | W 11 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 10 |
| kJ | 514 | 8 | 9 | 197 | 108 | 41 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 8 | 15 | 14 | 23 | 20 | 606 | 778 | 573 | 414 | 373 | 304 | 305 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | NNE 7 | — | N 10 | NNE 9 | NE 8 | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | NW 7 |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | 18 | 17 | 16 | 31 | 5 | — | 7 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 12 | — | — | — | 85 | 37 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 6 | NW 5 | NE 11 | NNE 10 | — | — | N 10 | NNE 9 | — | — | N 8 | — | — | — | W 7 | — | W 7 | W 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 | — | — | 7 | 8 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 40 | — | 15 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 8 | N 8 | NW 5 | W 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 5 | — | — | — | ESE 3 |
| kJ | — | 1016 | 566 | 38 | 15 | 61 | 218 | 1033 | 1202 | 1129 | 709 | 627 | 978 | 614 | 396 | 156 | 143 | — | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 216 | 552 | 340 | 276 | 2 | 72 | 197 | 78 | 386 | 95 | 217 | 216 | 99 | 2 | 750 | 610 | 270 | 23 | 0 | 17 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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