Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Saturday 11 Apr 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
7.7° 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 Saturday (Apr 11) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. 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 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Apr 11) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 11) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sat 11th Apr)8ft (2.4m) 16s
Best Surf 7PM (Sat 11th Apr)8ft (2.4m) 16s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sat 11th Apr)8ft (2.5m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sun morning, min 5°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SE on Fri night, calm by Mon afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 6°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, strong winds from the SW by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Fri
17
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
2
1
2
0
0
0
3
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
WNW
1.8
WNW
2.5
W
1.8
W
1.7
W
1.5
W
2.5
WSW
2.4
W
2
W
1.5
W
1.1
W
1
W
0.9
W
0.4
W
0.7
W
1.6
WSW
1.4
W
1.6
W
2.2
WSW
1.6
W
1.2
W
Period(s) (?)14131714131381110109991413121214131111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)288511443399119010217047891326865417189155125661717945389291622606332
Wind
(km/h)
55
SE
25
SE
15
WSW
35
SE
25
SSE
40
SSE
40
SW
20
SSW
5
NW
5
SSW
10
ESE
20
ESE
30
SE
30
SE
30
SW
10
SSW
15
SSW
45
SW
20
SSW
15
SE
20
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
glasscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:19AM
2.68
4:30PM
2.56
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:49AM
1.49
10:16PM
1.62
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Fri
17
Sunrise-6:18--6:16--6:13--6:11--6:07--6:05--6:01-
Sunset--8:22--8:23--8:27--8:29--8:30--8:32--8:36
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
1-1--2--2----2111----
Temp. °C78869879971011912109101081111
Feels °C (?)-323-10-1-156555254510066
  • 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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