Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Thursday 26 Mar 2026 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
7.6° 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 Friday (Mar 27) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 7.0m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 8.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Mar 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Friday (Apr 03) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Fri 27th Mar)23ft (7.0m) 18s
Best Surf12PM (Fri 27th Mar)23ft (7.0m) 18s
Most Powerful 6PM (Fri 27th Mar)26ft (8.0m) 19s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Thu night, min 4°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Thu afternoon, gales from the SSW by Sun morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue morning, min 4°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Sun night, moderate winds from the SW by Mon night).

Thu
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
!
!
!
!
0
0
0
!
!
0
!
0
0
0
!
0
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
N
2.3
W
5.5
W
8
WNW
8
WNW
9
WNW
7.5
WNW
4
WNW
4
W
6.5
WNW
8
WNW
7.5
WNW
6.5
WNW
4.5
WNW
4
WNW
4
W
3.5
W
4
W
5
WNW
5
NW
3
WNW
Period(s) (?)111113191816151311121516161614131212111212
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)19651212972545565406533794023882477235241171231435289461926797556514510134293943563974332586
Wind
(km/h)
20
S
35
W
45
WSW
50
WSW
55
WSW
55
W
50
NW
20
SW
65
SSW
50
W
60
W
55
WNW
45
WNW
20
SW
40
SW
40
SW
45
SW
35
N
45
NW
40
NNW
10
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crossonononcross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:23AM
2.96
3:40PM
2.86
4:00AM
3.09
5:01PM
3.06
5:08AM
3.36
5:56PM
3.31
5:59AM
3.63
6:38PM
3.54
6:40AM
3.85
7:13PM
3.72
7:16AM
3.98
7:44PM
3.84
7:50AM
4.03
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:00PM
1.40
9:05AM
1.12
9:45PM
1.38
10:37AM
0.91
11:02PM
1.15
11:38AM
0.60
11:55PM
0.87
12:24PM
0.32
12:37AM
0.62
1:03PM
0.12
1:15AM
0.42
1:37PM
0.02
1:49AM
0.30
Thu
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Sunrise--6:01--5:58--5:56--5:52--5:50--5:48--5:45
Sunset6:45--6:47--6:50--6:52--6:54--6:57--6:59--
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
1212421210241-1--1152--
Temp. °C5866656676577910994656
Feels °C (?)-10-5-6-6-8-4-1-5-6-8-5-42210-4-5-63
  • 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 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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