Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Tuesday 24 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
7.7° 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 Thursday (Mar 26) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 13s. 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 6.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Mar 27) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Thu 26th Mar)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Best Surf 9AM (Thu 26th Mar)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 27th Mar)21ft (6.5m) 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 Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue night. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Tue morning, min 3°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Tue morning, light winds from the SW by Thu morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sun morning, min 4°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the WNW on Sat night, gales from the W by Sun night).

Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
!
0
0
0
0
0
!
4
0
0
!
!
0
0
0
0
0
!
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
7
W
6
W
4.5
WNW
5
NW
5
N
4.5
N
3.5
N
3
N
2.5
N
3.5
W
6.5
WNW
7
WNW
6.5
WNW
6.5
WNW
5
WNW
3.5
W
5
W
7.5
WNW
6.5
WNW
5.5
WNW
4
WNW
Period(s) (?)161514111212121112111918161513121115161514
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)246511620685516773691159133804218417503213324542939719560167188276374967732433518791129267327
Wind
(km/h)
55
WSW
40
W
45
WNW
45
NW
45
NW
35
NW
10
NW
15
SSE
40
W
45
WSW
45
WSW
45
SW
50
W
45
NW
30
WSW
65
SW
60
W
65
W
70
WNW
50
WNW
25
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
ononcross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
oncross-
on
ononononon
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:09AM
3.51
11:33PM
3.35
12:15PM
3.14
12:44AM
3.07
1:50PM
2.86
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
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:33PM
0.76
6:03AM
0.80
6:33PM
1.14
7:20AM
1.07
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
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Sunrise6:11--6:07--6:05--6:01--5:58--5:56--5:52--
Sunset-6:40--6:43--6:45--6:47--6:50--6:52--6:54-
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
light rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
Rain (mm)
1-6122--2-24312922--1
Temp. °C775554437666666966779
Feels °C (?)-5-3-5-6-7-7-1-10-4-5-5-6-5-2-2-7-10-6-52
  • 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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