Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Friday 29 May 2026 BST
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
9.7° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 29 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 5 Jun, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 4 Jun, 1PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 15s period, W swell with 1,712 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 30 May, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period with WSW 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 Saturday (May 30) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 2.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jun 04) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Jun 02) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Sat 30th May)2.5ft (0.7m) 7s
Best Surf 7AM (Fri 5th Jun)5ft (1.6m) 13s
Most Powerful 1PM (Thu 4th Jun)6.5ft (2.0m) 15s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Thu morning).

Fri
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
WSW
6
1.9
W
7
1.1
W
6
0.7
W
7
1
N
9
1
N
10
0.8
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
11
0.7
WSW
11
0.6
W
10
0.6
NNE
8
0.7
NNE
8
0.8
NNE
8
0.4
W
14
0.7
W
13
0.7
WSW
12
1.9
W
14
2
W
15
1.7
W
14
1.5
W
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
288
326
91
54
175
186
186
186
170
123
80
47
68
73
66
171
147
1484
1712
1047
713
Wind (km/h)
40
SW
30
SW
15
SSW
5
W
5
S
10
WSW
20
SW
20
SW
15
SW
5
E
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
E
5
SE
10
SE
5
W
25
SW
35
SW
25
S
25
SSW
20
SE
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
7:43PM3.52m
7:58AM3.45m
8:17PM3.58m
8:35AM3.47m
8:51PM3.61m
9:11AM3.45m
9:25PM3.60m
9:48AM3.38m
10:01PM3.57m
10:25AM3.27m
10:37PM3.51m
11:03AM3.14m
11:15PM3.42m
11:44AM3.01m
Low Tide
2:00AM0.67m
2:13PM0.60m
2:35AM0.58m
2:48PM0.60m
3:11AM0.53m
3:23PM0.63m
3:47AM0.54m
3:58PM0.68m
4:24AM0.59m
4:33PM0.77m
5:03AM0.68m
5:10PM0.88m
5:44AM0.79m
light rain
light rain
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:24
4:22
4:22
4:20
4:18
4:18
4:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:07
10:08
10:10
10:12
10:14
10:15
10:16
10:17
1
1
2
6
1
2
2
1
3
6
1
Temp °C
12
12
14
13
12
14
14
12
13
12
13
14
15
14
13
12
11
11
11
10
13
4
5
12
12
12
10
10
9
10
10
11
12
13
13
12
11
6
3
6
3
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
7
0.1
NE
7
0.4
WNW
8
0.7
W
7
1
N
9
1
N
10
0.9
N
9
0.8
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
11
0.7
WSW
11
0.6
W
10
0.6
NNE
8
0.7
NNE
8
0.8
NNE
8
0.6
NNE
8
0.7
W
13
0.7
WSW
12
1.9
W
14
2
W
15
1.7
W
14
1.5
W
13
Energy kJ
2
2
21
54
175
186
133
186
170
123
80
47
68
73
47
171
147
1484
1712
1047
713
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
6
0.1
W
18
0.2
WSW
11
0.5
WNW
7
0.8
WSW
10
0.8
WSW
11
0.8
WSW
12
0.8
N
9
0.6
N
8
0.6
N
8
0.5
N
7
0.4
WSW
10
0.4
WSW
10
0.4
WSW
9
0.4
W
14
0.6
NNE
8
0.6
NNE
8
0.5
NNE
7
0.4
NNE
7
0.5
NE
7
0.5
NE
8
Energy kJ
1
6
11
25
128
170
186
101
48
45
27
33
31
28
66
45
37
29
19
25
28
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
6
0.2
N
8
0.4
N
8
0.4
WSW
13
0.1
NE
8
0.1
W
14
0.4
WSW
10
0.1
W
17
0.4
WSW
9
0.4
E
4
0.2
W
19
Energy kJ
1
5
21
53
3
4
31
5
29
5
28
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
WSW
6
1.9
W
7
1.1
W
6
0.6
WSW
4
0.3
WSW
3
0.5
E
3
0.6
E
3
0.8
ENE
4
0.5
E
3
0.4
ESE
3
0.5
SW
3
Energy kJ
288
326
91
10
2
5
8
15
6
3
4
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
4
4
3
3
Distance (km)
552
262
2
2
0
2
2
2
31
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
45
31
31
17
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
4
4
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
3
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
4
5
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
7
7
6
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
  • 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 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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