Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Wednesday 03 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 Thursday (Dec 04) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-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 7s period and expected on Saturday (Dec 06) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Thu 4th Dec)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Best Surf12AM (Sun 7th Dec)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
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 Mostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Thu night, min 6°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Wed night, near gales from the ESE by Fri night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 10°C on Mon night, min 8°C on Sat afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ESE on Sat afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon).

Wed
03
Thursday
04
Friday
05
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
3
3
2
0
0
2
4
2
2
0
0
0
0
4
3
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.8
W
1.6
W
1.2
W
1.4
W
3
W
2.5
W
2.2
W
1.5
W
0.8
W
1.5
W
1.7
W
1.4
W
1.2
W
1.1
W
0.9
W
1.1
W
2.3
W
2
W
1.9
W
1.6
W
1.2
W
Period(s) (?)131211141716151312181614141312201716151413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)112477536180861563647206178218414201434813545398232980307419831640988503
Wind
(km/h)
20
SSE
15
SSE
20
SE
25
SE
25
SE
20
SE
30
SE
50
ESE
50
ESE
40
ESE
20
ESE
20
SE
15
SSE
20
SSW
20
SW
25
SW
25
SW
15
ESE
30
ESE
35
ENE
45
NNE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
offoffoffcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:08PM
3.88
6:38AM
3.94
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
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:35AM
0.12
1:00PM
0.17
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
Wed
03
Thursday
04
Friday
05
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Sunrise--8:47--8:48--8:49--8:52--8:52--8:55--8:56
Sunset3:30--3:30--3:29--3:27--3:26--3:26--3:26--
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
mod rain
Rain (mm)
---------1---3-1--3118
Temp. °C77789777899899991089109
Feels °C (?)2222310-3-1233654334231
  • Map Icons:
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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 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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