Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Monday 16 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
7.5° 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 Tuesday (Mar 17) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 4.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 16) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Mar 17) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Tue 17th Mar)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Best Surf 6AM (Tue 17th Mar)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 9PM (Mon 16th Mar)15ft (4.5m) 16s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 6°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 10°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
0
0
0
0
2
1
3
3
3
3
2
4
3
!
4
4
4
4
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
7.5
W
6
W
4.5
W
3.5
W
4.5
W
3.5
W
3
W
2.4
W
2.4
WNW
2
W
1.8
WNW
1.5
W
1.3
W
2.2
WNW
2.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3
WNW
3
WNW
2.4
WNW
2.3
WNW
2.1
WNW
Period(s) (?)191716141413121213121212111312141413131211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)36312229449014465669983635214315571930121496062841016991935428638822723184614681065
Wind
(km/h)
45
SW
40
SW
45
SW
40
S
45
SW
50
SW
20
SSW
20
WSW
10
WSW
0
NE
10
NNE
5
SSE
5
SW
5
WSW
5
SW
0
SSW
5
E
10
SE
10
SSE
0
SSW
25
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
glasscross-
off
glasscross-
on
glasscross-
on
glassglasscross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:40PM
3.35
6:44AM
3.71
7:13PM
3.62
7:15AM
3.97
7:44PM
3.83
7:48AM
4.17
8:16PM
3.98
8:22AM
4.27
8:48PM
4.04
8:58AM
4.26
9:23PM
4.00
9:37AM
4.12
10:00PM
3.86
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:31PM
0.62
12:40AM
0.74
1:05PM
0.28
1:15AM
0.47
1:38PM
-0.00
1:49AM
0.26
2:12PM
-0.18
2:24AM
0.11
2:48PM
-0.24
3:01AM
0.05
3:24PM
-0.16
3:39AM
0.10
4:03PM
0.06
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Sunrise6:33--6:31--6:28--6:24--6:22--6:18--6:16--
Sunset-6:22--6:24--6:27--6:29--6:31--6:34--6:36-
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-17-2----------------
Temp. °C7811139910109887899910109108
Feels °C (?)-4-123-1-2456755677887684
  • 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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