Balnakiel Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.58° N 4.77° W

Balnakiel Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 17 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Balnakiel Bay sea temperature is
13.4°C
0.5° 

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 17 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, W swell with 15,604 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period with WNW 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period. 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 6.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Fri 18th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 21st Sep)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Most Powerful10PM (Thu 17th Sep)20ft (6.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Fri afternoon, near gales from the WSW by Sat morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Sat night, light winds from the SE by Sun night).

Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
3
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
W
10
5
W
13
6
W
14
4.5
WNW
13
3.5
WNW
12
3.5
W
11
3.5
W
10
4.5
W
11
5
W
12
4.5
WNW
11
4
W
12
3.5
WNW
12
2.4
WNW
11
1.8
WNW
11
1.7
W
10
1.6
W
10
2
W
10
1.7
W
10
2.1
W
13
2.4
W
13
2.5
WNW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1760
8555
14084
6458
3402
2750
2481
4093
6469
5188
4525
3072
1473
821
627
479
799
598
1497
1992
1697
Wind (km/h)
45
SW
50
WSW
50
W
40
WSW
30
SW
50
WSW
55
WSW
55
WSW
50
WSW
50
W
45
W
15
WSW
15
SE
20
SW
30
SW
25
SW
25
SW
15
NNW
10
NW
5
NW
15
SSE
Wind State
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
12:06PM3.15m
00:33AM2.95m
12:52PM2.88m
1:37AM2.66m
2:12PM2.66m
3:23AM2.51m
4:03PM2.64m
5:03AM2.59m
5:23PM2.83m
6:06AM2.81m
6:15PM3.10m
6:49AM3.06m
6:53PM3.38m
Low Tide
6:03AM0.94m
6:24PM1.03m
6:43AM1.27m
7:14PM1.32m
7:38AM1.54m
8:32PM1.55m
9:13AM1.70m
10:33PM1.54m
11:05AM1.60m
11:53PM1.29m
12:06PM1.35m
00:38AM0.98m
12:47PM1.07m
1:14AM0.66m
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
6:52
6:54
6:56
7:00
7:01
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:34
7:30
7:29
7:25
7:22
7:20
7:16
 mm
2
5
3
1
2
1
2
4
1
1
1
8
Temp °C
12
11
12
13
13
14
12
12
12
12
12
11
11
15
16
17
17
11
12
11
11
Feels °C
3
1
4
6
7
5
1
1
2
2
3
5
7
11
12
12
14
7
9
9
8
  • 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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