Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Thursday 28 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 28 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 3 Jun, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, W swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 3 Jun, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, W swell with 972 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 30 May, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s 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 Saturday (May 30) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 1.7m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 7PM. 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 Monday (Jun 01) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sat 30th May)3ft (0.9m) 7s
Best Surf10PM (Wed 3rd Jun)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Most Powerful 7PM (Wed 3rd Jun)5.5ft (1.7m) 13s

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 9mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat night, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
28
Friday
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
W
9
0.4
W
9
0.4
W
8
1.3
WSW
5
2.2
WSW
6
1.9
W
7
1.3
W
7
0.9
WNW
7
1
N
10
1.1
N
10
1
N
10
0.7
WSW
12
0.7
WSW
11
0.6
WSW
11
0.5
W
11
0.5
W
10
0.7
NNE
8
0.5
NNE
8
0.5
W
13
1.6
W
13
1.4
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
39
24
20
80
386
377
178
82
186
225
186
145
130
93
57
50
51
32
90
875
550
Wind (km/h)
10
ESE
15
ESE
5
SW
35
SW
45
WSW
30
SW
15
SW
10
E
0
S
10
W
10
SW
15
SW
10
ESE
5
SSE
5
W
10
WSW
15
WSW
10
SE
10
SSE
20
SW
10
ESE
off
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
off
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
High Tide
6:38AM3.36m
7:08PM3.43m
7:19AM3.41m
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
Low Tide
1:00PM0.66m
1:22AM0.79m
1:38PM0.62m
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
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:26
4:26
4:24
4:22
4:22
4:20
4:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:05
10:07
10:08
10:10
10:12
10:14
10:15
4
2
3
1
1
2
1
3
Temp °C
20
23
16
13
12
12
14
13
14
12
12
12
13
13
12
13
14
13
13
14
12
18
23
14
7
4
6
12
11
11
11
10
9
11
12
11
11
11
11
9
10
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
W
9
0.4
W
9
0.4
W
8
0.5
WNW
9
0.1
NE
7
0.2
W
12
0.2
WSW
11
0.9
WNW
7
1
N
10
1.1
N
10
1
N
10
0.8
N
9
0.7
WSW
11
0.6
WSW
11
0.5
W
11
0.4
NNE
8
0.7
NNE
8
0.5
NNE
8
0.6
NNE
7
1.6
W
13
1.4
WSW
12
Energy kJ
39
24
20
46
2
11
11
82
186
225
183
101
130
93
57
26
51
32
35
875
550
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NW
6
0.3
NW
6
0.4
E
4
0.1
E
7
0.1
N
6
0.1
NE
8
0.1
NW
9
0.4
N
8
0.6
WSW
10
0.9
WSW
11
0.8
WSW
12
0.7
WSW
12
0.7
N
8
0.6
N
8
0.4
N
8
0.5
W
10
0.4
WSW
10
0.4
WSW
9
0.5
W
13
0.6
NNE
7
0.4
NNE
7
Energy kJ
9
6
6
1
1
2
3
22
77
202
186
145
66
48
18
50
31
27
90
35
21
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
N
7
0.2
N
7
0.3
NW
6
0.1
N
6
0.1
W
18
0.1
N
9
0.2
WSW
10
0.5
WNW
7
0.2
E
3
0.2
ENE
4
0.4
NE
7
0.3
N
7
0.3
ESE
4
0.3
WSW
11
0.5
WSW
10
0.2
ESE
7
Energy kJ
4
4
5
1
6
2
10
29
1
1
14
10
3
23
54
5
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
E
4
0.6
E
4
0.3
WSW
3
1.3
WSW
5
2.2
WSW
6
1.9
W
7
1.3
W
7
0.5
E
3
0.6
ENE
3
0.7
E
4
0.6
E
4
Energy kJ
2
10
1
80
386
377
178
5
9
13
12
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
Distance (km)
17
348
112
45
552
248
2
0
0
2
2
2
0
0
45
33
2
0
0
2
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
3
2
2
3
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
6
5
5
5
5
7
7
5
5
5
4
4
4
5
5
5
4
4
6
  • 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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