Surf Forecasts:
Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 21 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 28 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 25 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 17s period, W swell with 12,376 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 24 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period with WNW 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 Thursday (Sep 24) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. 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 4.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 25) at 7AM. 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 Thursday (Sep 24) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Thu 24th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Mon 28th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 25th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon night, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Mon night, light winds from the SW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the SSE on Thu morning, strong winds from the SW by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | Wednesday 23 | Thursday 24 | Friday 25 | Saturday 26 | Sunday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 12 | W 11 | WSW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 12 | W 17 | W 17 | W 15 | W 13 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 913 | 1144 | 671 | 873 | 676 | 3484 | 2560 | 1995 | 1005 | 659 | 786 | 3944 | 11438 | 6876 | 3188 | 1445 | 1537 | 828 | 459 | 872 | 727 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:23PM2.83m | 6:06AM2.81m | 6:15PM3.10m | 6:49AM3.06m | 6:53PM3.38m | 7:23AM3.32m | 7:25PM3.64m | 7:54AM3.56m | 7:56PM3.87m | 8:23AM3.76m | 8:27PM4.04m | 8:53AM3.90m | 8:59PM4.14m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:05AM1.60m | 11:53PM1.29m | 12:06PM1.35m | 00:38AM0.98m | 12:47PM1.07m | 1:14AM0.66m | 1:22PM0.80m | 1:46AM0.36m | 1:56PM0.56m | 2:18AM0.12m | 2:29PM0.35m | 2:50AM-0.05m | 3:03PM0.21m | 3:24AM-0.11m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — |
 | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | N 8 | N 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 12 | W 17 | W 17 | W 15 | W 13 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 |
| kJ | 913 | 84 | 66 | 873 | 676 | 3484 | 2560 | 1995 | 1005 | 659 | 786 | 3944 | 11438 | 6876 | 3188 | 1445 | 1537 | 828 | 459 | 89 | 161 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | — | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | — | NNW 14 | NNW 13 | NNW 13 | WNW 15 |
| kJ | 82 | — | 66 | 35 | 35 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 26 | 23 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 2 | — | 18 | 62 | 90 | 21 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 15 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | W 11 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | WSW 7 | — | — | — | S 3 | — | SSE 3 | SW 4 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 |
| kJ | 2 | 1144 | 671 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 18 | 244 | — | — | — | 6 | — | 8 | 36 | 872 | 727 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 31 | 31 | 2 | 99 | 31 | 99 | 499 | 2 | 17 | 31 | 31 | 57 | 57 | 31 | 31 | 2 | 31 | 389 | 72 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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