Surf Forecasts:
Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 19 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 25 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, W swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 25 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, W swell with 6,169 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 21 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s 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 Monday (Sep 21) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 25) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 25) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Fri 25th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 25th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon night, min 9°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Sat night, light winds from the SSW by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu night, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Wed night, strong winds from the SW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | Wednesday 23 | Thursday 24 | Friday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 12 | W 12 | W 11 | WSW 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | W 12 | W 16 | W 16 | W 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3393 | 3467 | 5576 | 3803 | 3137 | 2196 | 894 | 935 | 710 | 890 | 639 | 2280 | 2623 | 2088 | 1551 | 1259 | 1066 | 857 | 4652 | 5606 | 2968 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:12PM2.66m | 3:23AM2.51m | 4:03PM2.64m | 5:03AM2.59m | 5:23PM2.83m | 6:06AM2.81m | 6:15PM3.10m | 6:49AM3.06m | 6:53PM3.38m | 7:23AM3.32m | 7:25PM3.64m | 7:54AM3.56m | 7:56PM3.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:32PM1.55m | 9:13AM1.70m | 10:33PM1.54m | 11:05AM1.60m | 11:53PM1.29m | 12:06PM1.35m | 00:38AM0.98m | 12:47PM1.07m | 1:14AM0.66m | 1:22PM0.80m | 1:46AM0.36m | 1:56PM0.56m | 2:18AM0.12m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  | |  | | | | |  | | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:10 | — |
mm | 2 | — | 5 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 12 | W 12 | N 8 | N 8 | W 10 | W 11 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | W 12 | W 16 | W 16 | W 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 2196 | 894 | 116 | 68 | 890 | 639 | 2280 | 2623 | 2088 | 1551 | 1259 | 1066 | 857 | 4652 | 5606 | 2968 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | N 8 | — | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | N 11 | NNW 10 | N 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 47 | 111 | — | 88 | 52 | 35 | 21 | 15 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 28 | 41 | 21 | 21 | 17 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 10 | — | SSE 3 | W 11 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SE 4 | SE 4 | — | — |
| kJ | 3393 | 3467 | 5576 | 3803 | 3137 | — | 3 | 935 | 710 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 13 | 9 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1059 | 1059 | 762 | 734 | 539 | 31 | 31 | 22 | 31 | 40 | 248 | 2 | 2 | 317 | 2 | 17 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 57 | 0 |
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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