Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Monday 17 Nov 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
11.7° C
(Which is 1.1°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 Tuesday (Nov 18) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 12 days are 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Nov 19) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Nov 23) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Tue 18th Nov)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Thu 20th Nov)13ft (4.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 9AM (Wed 19th Nov)15ft (4.5m) 11s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Mild temperatures (max 6°C on Mon afternoon, min 4°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, strong winds from the N by Tue night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Sat morning, min 2°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Thu morning, calm by Sat morning).

Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
!
1
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
!
2
1
0
1
2
2
1
2
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3.5
N
3
N
3
N
2.5
N
3
N
3.5
N
4.5
N
4.5
N
4.5
N
3.5
N
3
N
2.1
N
1.4
NNE
1.1
NNE
1.9
W
1.8
W
1.5
W
1.6
WNW
1.2
WNW
1.6
W
1.7
W
Period(s) (?)1111131212111111111111101010111091091110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)26702236275318102862305152434512423831682172914386240882618380452238599575
Wind
(km/h)
20
NNW
15
NW
5
NW
10
ENE
40
N
40
N
40
N
40
N
35
N
30
N
25
N
10
SW
20
S
15
SSE
5
SSW
15
N
5
NNW
5
NW
15
SSW
20
SSW
20
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
on
glasscross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscrossglasscrosscross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:02PM
3.47
6:29AM
3.54
6:37PM
3.54
6:59AM
3.63
7:11PM
3.58
7:29AM
3.68
7:45PM
3.58
8:00AM
3.69
8:18PM
3.53
8:31AM
3.65
8:51PM
3.42
9:04AM
3.57
9:25PM
3.28
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:05PM
0.84
12:21AM
0.53
12:40PM
0.68
12:54AM
0.48
1:13PM
0.56
1:26AM
0.47
1:46PM
0.48
1:58AM
0.50
2:19PM
0.46
2:31AM
0.56
2:54PM
0.51
3:05AM
0.66
3:30PM
0.61
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Sunrise8:11--8:14--8:15--8:18--8:21--8:22--8:25--
Sunset-3:55--3:52--3:51--3:48--3:47--3:45--3:44-
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
--232643721--33-1----
Temp. °C564444445665336888766
Feels °C (?)-1100-7-7-7-7-4-2-12-3-22444211
  • 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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