Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Monday 06 Apr 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
7.6° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 (Apr 07) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 9s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 10) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 11) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 7th Apr)7.5ft (2.3m) 18s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 10th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Most Powerful10PM (Fri 10th Apr)15ft (4.5m) 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 Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Mon afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the WSW by Thu morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 10°C on Fri afternoon, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri night).

Mon
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
4
3
4
2
1
2
0
0
0
3
!
!
0
0
4
4
3
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.9
WNW
1
W
3
W
2.5
W
2.5
W
2.3
W
2.1
W
2.4
W
2.3
W
3.5
W
4
W
3
W
3.5
W
4
W
3.5
W
3.5
W
2.4
WNW
2.3
W
2.4
W
2.2
W
2
W
Period(s) (?)111318161513131211151414141513121116141311
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)843329470831822616186614201494130048487117420644136725445839421340266823791592890
Wind
(km/h)
20
SE
10
S
15
SE
15
S
10
SSE
15
SW
20
SW
15
SSW
30
WSW
45
WSW
25
WSW
25
SE
15
S
5
SSE
40
SW
30
SW
10
SSE
10
SSE
10
NW
20
SW
10
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
off
crossglasscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:09PM
3.42
11:31AM
3.21
11:43PM
3.18
12:09PM
2.92
12:26AM
2.94
1:05PM
2.66
1:34AM
2.74
2:45PM
2.49
3:19AM
2.68
4:30PM
2.56
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:11PM
0.71
5:31AM
0.75
5:44PM
0.98
6:09AM
1.01
6:23PM
1.25
6:57AM
1.27
7:14PM
1.49
8:07AM
1.47
8:32PM
1.65
9:49AM
1.49
10:16PM
1.62
Mon
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Sunrise--6:30--6:28--6:24--6:22--6:18--6:16--6:13
Sunset8:09--8:13--8:15--8:16--8:20--8:22--8:23--
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
----1--311-----------
Temp. °C88141510910977671088869878
Feels °C (?)23101266660-3-41550026444
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  • 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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