Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Thursday 27 Nov 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
11.1° 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 Friday (Nov 28) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 7.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 12 days are 8.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Nov 28) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Dec 04) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 28th Nov)25ft (7.5m) 17s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 28th Nov)25ft (7.5m) 17s
Most Powerful 6AM (Fri 28th Nov)26ft (8.0m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 3°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (severe gales from the SW on Thu night, light winds from the ENE by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Mon afternoon, min 2°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sun morning, strong winds from the SSW by Mon night).

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
01
Tuesday
02
Wednesday
03
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
!
0
0
!
!
4
4
3
2
3
2
0
0
1
3
!
!
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
W
2.5
WSW
6
WSW
7.5
WSW
4.5
W
4
NNW
4
N
3.5
N
3
N
2.4
N
2.3
N
2.1
N
1.8
N
1.6
N
1.6
W
3
WSW
3
WSW
2.5
W
4
W
3.5
W
2.5
W
Period(s) (?)111012171611131212111213131314131014121212
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)39413659456317421136740305747393022291401138214421138862932286214332722463440421882
Wind
(km/h)
35
SW
55
SW
75
SW
75
SW
50
WNW
40
NW
20
N
20
N
10
NE
10
SE
20
SSE
35
SSE
20
SSE
25
SE
35
SSW
40
S
30
S
25
SSE
20
WSW
15
S
20
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:54AM
3.13
12:54AM
2.74
1:01PM
3.09
2:12AM
2.80
2:12PM
3.13
3:19AM
2.98
3:19PM
3.27
4:16AM
3.23
4:19PM
3.47
5:06AM
3.49
5:15PM
3.69
5:53AM
3.74
6:08PM
3.88
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:37PM
1.04
6:47AM
1.38
7:43PM
1.01
7:59AM
1.41
8:52PM
0.88
9:15AM
1.30
9:56PM
0.68
10:21AM
1.06
10:54PM
0.45
11:19AM
0.75
11:46PM
0.25
12:11PM
0.44
12:35AM
0.12
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
01
Tuesday
02
Wednesday
03
Sunrise8:33--8:36--8:37--8:40--8:41--8:42--8:45--
Sunset-3:37--3:37--3:34--3:33--3:33--3:32--3:30-
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
2255242-1--21--1-2---
Temp. °C13129987544334688787876
Feels °C (?)71-6-4-3-4-2-3-2-2-4-4102-212331
  • 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 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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