Surf Forecasts:
Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 30 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 6 Oct, 1AM (local time) - 23ft (7.0m), 16s period, WNW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 6 Oct, 4AM (local time) - 25ft (7.5m), 16s period, WNW swell with 25,943 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 1 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period with W swell.
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 (Oct 01) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 7.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Oct 06) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 30) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 1st Oct) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 6th Oct) | 23ft (7.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Tue 6th Oct) | 25ft (7.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Tue night, light winds from the SSW by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun night, min 10°C on Mon afternoon). Mainly near gales. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 30 | Thursday 1 | Friday 2 | Saturday 3 | Sunday 4 | Monday 5 | Tuesday 6 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | W 15 | WSW 15 | W 14 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 16 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 24 | 57 | 859 | 2127 | 2325 | 1726 | 1389 | 1166 | 1130 | 884 | 865 | 2940 | 3347 | 2737 | 2408 | 2179 | 2880 | 24295 | 16531 | 8093 | 3304 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 10:31AM3.84m | 10:50PM3.82m | 11:11AM3.65m | 11:38PM3.52m | 12:00PM3.39m | 00:38AM3.18m | 1:06PM3.14m | 2:08AM2.90m | 2:41PM3.00m | 3:58AM2.86m | 4:19PM3.10m | 5:23AM3.04m | 5:32PM3.36m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:37AM0.12m | 4:55PM0.28m | 5:17AM0.39m | 5:39PM0.49m | 6:04AM0.72m | 6:33PM0.75m | 7:01AM1.07m | 7:44PM1.00m | 8:19AM1.34m | 9:21PM1.09m | 10:00AM1.38m | 10:57PM0.91m | 11:24AM1.18m | 00:04AM0.59m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:20 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — |
 | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:42 | — | — | 6:39 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 6 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 1 | -3 | -3 | -1 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | E 10 | W 15 | WSW 15 | W 14 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | NNW 12 | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 371 | 302 | 859 | 2127 | 2325 | 1726 | 1389 | 1166 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | ESE 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | E 7 | — | NE 9 | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 24 | 57 | 187 | 94 | 42 | 24 | 11 | 4 | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 10 | WSW 5 | SW 6 | N 9 | N 9 | — | N 12 | NNW 12 | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 10 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 1 | — | 12 | 15 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | — | — | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 16 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 1130 | 884 | 865 | 2940 | 3347 | 2737 | 2408 | 2179 | 2880 | 24295 | 16531 | 8093 | 3304 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 276 | 306 | 2 | 31 | 2 | 31 | 2 | 45 | 72 | 386 | 72 | 393 | 393 | 57 | 393 | 393 | 778 | 1102 | 1107 | 944 | 944 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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