Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Saturday 30 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
10.1° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 30 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 5 Jun, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period, W swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 6 Jun, 1AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, W swell with 664 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 30 May, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period with W 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 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 2.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jun 06) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sat 30th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 7s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 5th Jun)6ft (1.8m) 10s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sat 6th Jun)6.5ft (2.0m) 9s

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 12mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the SW by Thu night).

Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Friday
5
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
1
2
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
7
0.5
WNW
7
1
N
10
1
N
10
0.8
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
12
0.7
WSW
11
0.7
WSW
11
0.6
W
10
0.5
W
10
0.7
NNE
8
0.6
NNE
8
0.5
W
14
0.8
WSW
13
0.8
WSW
12
0.7
W
11
0.7
W
11
0.7
WSW
11
0.8
WSW
12
1.1
W
10
2
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
97
31
186
186
186
186
133
123
80
50
61
50
107
232
192
125
116
135
176
249
664
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
5
SE
10
SSE
15
SW
20
WSW
25
SW
5
SE
10
E
5
N
5
SW
5
WSW
20
SW
5
ENE
15
ESE
5
S
5
E
5
SSE
35
SW
25
SW
5
W
10
E
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
off
glassy
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
on
off
High Tide
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
11:55PM3.33m
Low Tide
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
5:49PM1.01m
cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
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>
10:08
10:10
10:12
10:14
10:15
10:16
10:17
4
4
4
1
4
1
3
5
3
2
3
Temp °C
14
12
12
13
13
12
14
14
13
13
13
13
13
12
12
12
12
11
12
11
10
11
11
10
9
9
8
11
12
13
13
12
12
10
9
11
11
11
6
7
9
9
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
7
0.5
WNW
7
1
N
10
1
N
10
0.9
N
9
0.8
WSW
12
0.7
WSW
11
0.7
WSW
11
0.6
W
10
0.6
NNE
8
0.7
NNE
8
0.6
NNE
8
0.5
NNE
8
0.8
WSW
13
0.8
WSW
12
0.7
W
11
0.7
W
11
0.7
WSW
11
0.8
WSW
12
1.1
W
10
0.6
W
12
Energy kJ
97
25
186
186
136
186
133
123
80
48
61
50
34
232
192
125
116
135
176
249
106
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
WNW
7
0.5
WSW
7
0.7
WSW
10
0.8
WSW
11
0.8
WSW
12
0.8
N
9
0.6
N
8
0.5
N
8
0.4
N
7
0.5
W
10
0.5
W
10
0.5
W
9
0.5
W
14
0.5
NNE
8
0.4
NNE
8
0.4
NNE
7
0.4
NNE
7
0.3
NNE
7
0.4
W
15
0.4
W
14
0.2
NNE
6
Energy kJ
41
31
100
170
186
101
48
32
16
50
47
44
107
33
23
21
17
9
68
59
4
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WSW
11
0.4
N
8
0.4
WSW
13
0.1
W
7
0.5
WSW
5
0.3
NNE
7
0.4
E
4
0.1
W
16
0.4
WSW
5
0.4
ENE
4
0.3
E
4
0.2
E
6
0.2
E
6
0.2
NNE
7
0.2
NNE
7
Energy kJ
11
20
53
1
12
10
5
5
9
5
3
3
3
5
4
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
4
0.2
ESE
2
0.4
E
3
0.3
WSW
2
0.5
SW
3
0.7
E
3
0.3
WSW
2
0.6
W
3
1.1
W
5
0.7
W
4
2
W
9
Energy kJ
11
1
3
1
5
11
1
8
64
18
664
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
2
3
Distance (km)
17
0
0
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
17
0
0
389
2
2
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
2
2
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
3
3
1
1
4
3
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
7
6
5
5
4
4
5
5
4
5
4
4
5
4
5
4
4
4
5
9
  • 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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