Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Friday 17 Apr 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
8.0° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Monday (Apr 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Apr 18) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Monday (Apr 20) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 20th Apr)6ft (1.8m) 12s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 20th Apr)6ft (1.8m) 12s
Most Powerful 7PM (Sat 18th Apr)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 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sat morning, light winds from the NNW by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the N by Wed night).

Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
2
1
3
2
2
1
1
1
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
WSW
0.9
WSW
1.6
WSW
2.1
WSW
3.5
W
3
WNW
2.2
WNW
1.1
WNW
1.8
WNW
1.4
WNW
1.3
W
1.3
W
1.1
WNW
1.4
WNW
1.1
W
0.8
WNW
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.3
NNW
0.8
N
0.8
N
Period(s) (?)1211117109814121111131514121111101077
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)343202617408271613046824529184473885605667333771648550197057
Wind
(km/h)
20
SE
15
SW
40
SSW
45
W
45
W
30
WNW
25
WNW
20
NW
10
NNE
20
NE
25
E
20
ESE
20
ENE
15
ENE
10
ENE
15
E
15
ENE
5
ENE
10
N
10
NNE
5
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
crossonononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
offcross-
off
offoffoffoffcrosscross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:45PM
4.06
8:56AM
4.22
9:22PM
4.12
9:38AM
4.19
10:00PM
4.07
10:23AM
4.02
10:43PM
3.92
11:12AM
3.74
11:30PM
3.70
12:10PM
3.40
12:28AM
3.44
1:24PM
3.07
1:43AM
3.22
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:43PM
-0.17
3:00AM
0.07
3:22PM
-0.19
3:40AM
-0.02
4:02PM
-0.07
4:23AM
0.01
4:45PM
0.17
5:10AM
0.16
5:31PM
0.49
6:01AM
0.41
6:23PM
0.84
7:03AM
0.69
7:26PM
1.16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Sunrise6:01--6:00--5:56--5:54--5:50--5:48--5:46--
Sunset-8:36--8:37--8:39--8:43--8:45--8:46--8:50-
cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-111-----------------
Temp. °C131110888887897887777787
Feels °C (?)973-1-21224333344335455
  • 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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