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Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK
12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Thursday 18 Sep 2025 BST
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 Friday (Sep 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 11s. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 21) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 19th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Sat 20th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 21st Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 12 days.
Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu night, min 9°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the NNE by Sat night). | Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Mon morning, calm by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Thu 18 | Friday 19 | Saturday 20 | Sunday 21 | Monday 22 | Tuesday 23 | Wednesday 24 | |||||||||||||||||
| PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |||
Rating (10 max) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||||
| Wave Height (m) & direction (?) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period(s) (?) | 7 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | ||
Wave (?)Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ (?) | 792 | 1140 | 431 | 303 | 604 | 685 | 2153 | 1892 | 3137 | 2314 | 2071 | 1187 | 1058 | 730 | 251 | 437 | 617 | 361 | 274 | 326 | 183 | ||
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wind State (?) onshore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore offshore glassy | on | glass | cross- on | cross- on | cross- on | cross- off | cross- off | cross- off | cross | cross | on | on | on | cross- on | cross- on | glass | cross- off | cross | glass | cross | cross | ||
High Tide / height (m) | 6:41PM 3.46 | 7:21AM 3.38 | 7:24PM 3.71 | 7:58AM 3.57 | 8:01PM 3.89 | 8:30AM 3.71 | 8:33PM 4.00 | 8:59AM 3.80 | 9:04PM 4.03 | 9:27AM 3.82 | 9:34PM 3.97 | 9:54AM 3.78 | 10:03PM 3.85 | 10:21AM 3.67 | |||||||||
Low Tide / height (m) | 1:06AM 0.52 | 1:20PM 0.76 | 1:47AM 0.29 | 1:57PM 0.55 | 2:22AM 0.12 | 2:31PM 0.40 | 2:53AM 0.05 | 3:03PM 0.32 | 3:23AM 0.05 | 3:33PM 0.29 | 3:52AM 0.14 | 4:03PM 0.34 | 4:21AM 0.31 | ||||||||||
Thu 18 | Friday 19 | Saturday 20 | Sunday 21 | Monday 22 | Tuesday 23 | Wednesday 24 | |||||||||||||||||
| Sunrise | - | - | 6:54 | - | - | 6:56 | - | - | 7:00 | - | - | 7:01 | - | - | 7:03 | - | - | 7:05 | - | - | 7:07 | ||
| Sunset | 7:30 | - | - | 7:29 | - | - | 7:25 | - | - | 7:22 | - | - | 7:20 | - | - | 7:16 | - | - | 7:14 | - | - | ||
 |  |  | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | |  |  |  |  | |  | | |||
Rain (mm) | - | 2 | - | - | - | 11 | 9 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Temp. °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | ||
| Feels °C (?) | 6 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | ||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)- Wind Speed (km/h)
Recent Eyeball Surf Reports for Scot - North Coast
light winds from the W at Altnaharra NO 2 imply that is on-shore at Balnakiel Bay. 1.6m 6s windswell from the WNW with a 1.4m 11s groundswell from the NNW and a 1.1m 9s swell from the N as well as a 0.7m 12s groundswell from the W. 4 swells combining so expect closeout sets.
38 km away, 53 min ago
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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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