Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Thursday 07 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
9.2° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Balnakiel Bay this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 13) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (May 13) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful10AM (Wed 13th May)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 11°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Thu night, light winds from the NW by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue morning, min 5°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Mon morning, strong winds from the WSW by Tue afternoon).

Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
N
10
1.6
WSW
8
2.2
WSW
9
2.2
WSW
8
2.2
W
8
3
NW
12
2.5
NNW
11
2.3
NNW
11
1.8
NNW
11
1.3
N
10
3
NW
9
1.8
N
10
1.7
N
8
1.4
WNW
9
2.1
W
7
2.5
WNW
10
3
WNW
11
3
WNW
11
3.5
N
10
2.4
N
9
2.1
N
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
318
326
749
614
682
2043
1596
1237
745
346
1172
580
396
315
384
1187
1942
1861
2270
961
676
Wind (km/h)
20
SSE
25
SW
45
SSW
40
WSW
35
W
15
NW
15
WNW
20
WNW
20
WSW
45
WSW
30
N
25
NNW
15
NW
25
WSW
35
WSW
40
W
45
WSW
25
W
35
NNW
35
NNW
30
NW
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross
cross
cross-on
High Tide
11:55AM2.91m
00:10AM3.09m
12:50PM2.72m
1:09AM2.96m
2:08PM2.61m
2:23AM2.90m
3:31PM2.65m
3:35AM2.97m
4:38PM2.83m
4:36AM3.13m
5:30PM3.09m
5:28AM3.36m
6:15PM3.37m
Low Tide
6:05PM1.17m
6:44AM1.13m
6:53PM1.35m
7:44AM1.25m
7:55PM1.49m
8:56AM1.25m
9:12PM1.52m
10:09AM1.10m
10:28PM1.41m
11:10AM0.85m
11:30PM1.18m
12:01PM0.57m
00:21AM0.89m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:09
5:07
5:05
5:03
5:01
4:58
4:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:22
9:23
9:25
9:29
9:30
9:32
9:35
2
5
2
1
1
4
2
2
2
Temp °C
10
11
9
8
8
6
7
8
7
8
6
6
7
8
9
11
11
8
8
7
6
5
4
2
-1
-1
1
2
2
1
-2
-1
-1
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
-2
-2
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
N
10
1.6
WSW
8
0.8
NNE
9
0.6
N
9
0.7
NW
12
3
NW
12
2.5
NNW
11
2.3
NNW
11
1.8
NNW
11
1.3
N
10
1.8
WNW
9
1.7
N
8
1.4
N
8
1.1
N
9
0.9
N
9
0.8
N
10
3
WNW
11
1.6
W
11
1.4
WNW
11
2.1
N
9
Energy kJ
318
326
110
61
148
2043
1596
1237
745
346
489
396
283
198
126
117
1861
617
452
676
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
W
7
1.1
N
9
0.2
ESE
8
0.2
W
15
0.6
N
9
0.5
W
13
0.5
W
12
0.5
W
12
0.5
W
11
0.6
NNE
10
1.5
WNW
9
1.4
WNW
9
0.1
W
20
0.8
N
10
0.1
W
18
1.3
NNE
9
1.2
WNW
10
Energy kJ
54
207
6
17
61
83
68
66
55
72
377
315
7
115
6
260
306
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
ESE
4
0.1
W
16
0.1
NW
12
0.3
W
14
0.4
NNE
9
0.5
NE
9
0.1
W
15
0.1
W
18
0.1
W
17
Energy kJ
3
5
6
36
28
41
4
6
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SE
4
2.2
WSW
9
2.2
WSW
8
2.2
W
8
1.5
W
5
3
NW
9
1.8
N
10
0.4
WSW
3
2.1
W
7
2.5
WNW
10
3
WNW
11
3.5
N
10
2.4
N
9
Energy kJ
8
749
614
682
112
1172
580
2
384
1187
1942
2270
961
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
31
2
45
227
217
22
99
99
197
388
392
119
248
99
197
441
660
197
530
388
441
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
1
4
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
7
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
8
5
5
9
9
7
5
5
6
8
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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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