Balnakiel Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.58° N 4.77° W

Balnakiel Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 01 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Balnakiel Bay sea temperature is
13.9°C
0.6° 

Balnakiel Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, W swell with 5,167 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period with NNW 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore 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 (Sep 02) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Wed 2nd Sep)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Best Surf 1PM (Wed 2nd Sep)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sat 5th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed night, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the SW by Thu morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Fri morning, light winds from the SSE by Sat night).

Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
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
0
0
1
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WSW
6
1.6
W
6
1.6
WNW
8
2
NNW
9
2.1
N
10
1.8
N
10
1.3
N
9
1
N
9
2.1
W
12
3.5
W
11
3.5
W
11
4
W
12
3
WNW
10
2.2
WNW
9
1
W
9
1
W
8
1.5
WSW
8
2.4
WSW
9
3
W
9
3
WSW
9
1.7
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
93
170
280
603
861
650
287
155
1167
2789
3491
5167
1514
826
162
137
293
834
1666
1474
440
Wind (km/h)
30
SSW
35
W
20
WNW
15
W
15
NE
20
SSE
30
WSW
35
SW
30
SW
50
WSW
20
W
40
W
35
W
30
W
20
SW
20
SE
25
SSW
35
SSW
50
WSW
40
W
25
SW
Wind State
cross
on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
High Tide
10:58AM3.68m
11:09PM3.83m
11:35AM3.53m
11:51PM3.59m
12:19PM3.32m
00:44AM3.29m
1:18PM3.08m
2:00AM3.01m
2:45PM2.93m
3:45AM2.89m
4:25PM3.00m
5:23AM3.02m
5:45PM3.27m
Low Tide
5:02AM0.14m
5:14PM0.43m
5:40AM0.35m
5:55PM0.61m
6:22AM0.64m
6:43PM0.84m
7:15AM0.96m
7:46PM1.08m
8:28AM1.23m
9:18PM1.21m
10:07AM1.32m
11:01PM1.06m
11:36AM1.15m
00:17AM0.71m
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:16
6:18
6:20
6:22
6:24
6:26
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:20
8:16
8:15
8:12
8:08
8:06
8:02
 mm
5
1
1
7
3
3
1
1
1
3
3
4
Temp °C
13
14
11
12
12
15
15
15
13
13
13
12
13
13
12
12
16
16
14
14
12
Feels °C
8
7
6
10
8
11
8
8
7
4
9
5
7
7
8
9
13
11
4
7
7
  • 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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