Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Thursday 04 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
10.9° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


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 Saturday (Dec 06) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 18s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 12 days are 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 05) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Dec 06) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sat 6th Dec)5.5ft (1.7m) 18s
Best Surf 6PM (Wed 10th Dec)16ft (5.0m) 9s
Most Powerful12AM (Fri 5th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 17s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the ESE on Fri night, light winds from the ESE by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sun night, min 7°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun night, light winds from the SSE by Tue afternoon).

Thu
04
Friday
05
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
4
2
3
0
0
2
4
3
2
0
0
1
2
3
4
4
3
0
0
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
W
3
W
2.5
W
2.2
W
1.5
W
0.8
W
1.3
W
1.8
W
1.4
W
1.2
W
1
W
0.8
W
1.4
W
2.1
W
2
W
1.9
W
1.8
W
1.3
W
4.5
NW
3
WNW
1.7
W
Period(s) (?)1417161513121916141413121917161614138813
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)701622736472089794184117116678135693351841476238820581772135262926581173986
Wind
(km/h)
20
SE
20
SE
30
SE
20
ESE
55
ESE
50
ESE
30
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
25
ESE
25
SSW
15
SE
25
SSW
20
S
10
S
5
SSE
15
E
15
NNE
20
WNW
30
WSW
15
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffcross-
off
offcrosscross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
on
oncross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:59PM
4.00
7:24AM
4.07
7:50PM
4.02
8:10AM
4.12
8:41PM
3.94
8:57AM
4.10
9:33PM
3.76
9:46AM
4.00
10:27PM
3.52
10:37AM
3.83
11:25PM
3.27
11:33AM
3.62
12:27AM
3.05
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:23AM
0.06
1:48PM
-0.02
2:09AM
0.09
2:37PM
-0.09
2:55AM
0.20
3:26PM
-0.04
3:41AM
0.39
4:16PM
0.11
4:28AM
0.62
5:08PM
0.33
5:18AM
0.87
6:04PM
0.57
6:12AM
1.12
Thu
04
Friday
05
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Sunrise--8:48--8:49--8:52--8:52--8:55--8:56--8:57
Sunset3:30--3:29--3:27--3:26--3:26--3:26--3:26--
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-----1-----1----8841-
Temp. °C778788998897888987898
Feels °C (?)1212-2-2264332244643424
  • 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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