Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Tuesday 31 Mar 2026 BST
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 Thursday (Apr 02) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 11s. 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 03) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Apr 06) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Thu 2nd Apr)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Best Surf 4AM (Sat 4th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful10PM (Fri 3rd Apr)13ft (4.0m) 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 Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue morning, min 4°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Sat night. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Fri morning, min 3°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Fri morning, light winds from the E by Sat morning).

Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Mon
06
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
1
2
0
0
0
4
4
0
3
0
2
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
5.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
W
3.5
W
3
WNW
2.4
WNW
1.9
NNW
2.3
NW
1.7
WNW
1.1
WNW
2.2
W
5
W
4
WNW
3
WNW
2.4
WNW
2
WNW
2.1
WNW
3
W
3
W
2
W
1.8
W
Period(s) (?)161413121211101211161410151414131313131213
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1347555193944406424521360643147268666118685268622835172253129914083498251910981087
Wind
(km/h)
25
WSW
35
SW
40
SW
40
SW
25
N
20
NNE
25
N
10
SE
20
S
20
SSE
35
SSW
45
WSW
25
SW
5
E
15
E
20
SW
10
NNW
25
SSW
25
S
30
SE
50
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
oncross-
on
offoffcross-
on
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:40AM
3.85
8:13PM
3.72
8:16AM
3.98
8:44PM
3.84
8:50AM
4.03
9:14PM
3.89
9:22AM
4.00
9:42PM
3.87
9:53AM
3.89
10:10PM
3.78
10:25AM
3.71
10:39PM
3.62
10:57AM
3.48
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:37AM
0.62
2:03PM
0.12
2:15AM
0.42
2:37PM
0.02
2:49AM
0.30
3:09PM
0.01
3:21AM
0.24
3:39PM
0.09
3:53AM
0.26
4:09PM
0.25
4:24AM
0.36
4:40PM
0.46
4:57AM
0.52
5:11PM
0.71
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Mon
06
Sunrise-6:50--6:48--6:45--6:41--6:39--6:35--6:33-
Sunset--7:57--7:59--8:00--8:04--8:06--8:07--8:09
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
---884---172-1414-3---
Temp. °C911101046656575555665477
Feels °C (?)2322-2-1-200-1-1-5-32111-4-3-5-5
  • 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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