Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Thursday 18 Dec 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
10.6° C
(Which is 1.2°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


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 Saturday (Dec 20) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 12 days are 4.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 19) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 7s period and expected on Monday (Dec 22) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Sat 20th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Best Surf 9AM (Sun 21st Dec)11ft (3.5m) 17s
Most Powerful 3AM (Fri 19th Dec)15ft (4.5m) 17s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Thu afternoon, near gales from the WSW by Fri afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sun night, min 6°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Thu
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
!
0
0
0
0
3
2
2
!
5
2
3
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
5
W
4.5
W
4.5
W
5
W
4
W
2.4
W
1.9
W
1.5
W
3.5
W
3
W
2.4
W
1.7
W
1.3
W
0.9
W
0.6
W
0.7
WNW
1
W
0.9
W
1.1
W
1
W
0.8
W
Period(s) (?)191816101413121217161513121110151312131211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)189811366892895427579418501002660611548882474101849719573228350232408280152
Wind
(km/h)
15
SE
35
SW
55
SW
60
WSW
30
SW
20
SSE
20
SE
20
ESE
25
ESE
25
ESE
35
ESE
25
ESE
30
ESE
25
ESE
35
ESE
35
ESE
30
ESE
20
SE
15
SE
10
S
10
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:55PM
3.34
7:13AM
3.52
7:33PM
3.40
7:48AM
3.60
8:09PM
3.42
8:23AM
3.66
8:44PM
3.40
8:57AM
3.69
9:19PM
3.34
9:31AM
3.68
9:55PM
3.26
10:05AM
3.64
10:35PM
3.18
10:43AM
3.57
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:07AM
0.71
1:31PM
0.63
1:43AM
0.64
2:08PM
0.54
2:18AM
0.60
2:44PM
0.49
2:52AM
0.60
3:21PM
0.49
3:27AM
0.64
3:59PM
0.51
4:03AM
0.72
4:38PM
0.56
4:41AM
0.84
Thu
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Sunrise--9:06--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:08--9:08
Sunset3:23--3:25--3:25--3:25--3:26--3:26--3:26--
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
-613------12-2-------
Temp. °C888999887899998876655
Feels °C (?)3-3-4-3132312143210-11111
  • 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 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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