Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Thursday 07 May 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
9.2° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Balnakiel Bay this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 09) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Thursday (May 07) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 1AM (Sat 9th May)10ft (3.0m) 11s

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 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 11°C on Thu afternoon, min 5°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Wed night, strong winds from the SW by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue morning, min 6°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sat night, strong winds from the WSW by Tue afternoon).

Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
2
Swell
Height Map
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
N
10
1.6
WSW
8
2.3
WSW
8
2.1
WSW
8
2
W
8
3
NW
11
3
NNW
11
2.5
NNW
11
2
NNW
10
1.3
N
10
2.5
NW
9
2.4
N
10
2.2
N
9
2.1
N
9
1.7
N
10
2.5
WNW
8
2.5
WNW
9
2.5
WNW
11
2.2
WNW
11
1.9
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
318
333
766
481
548
2174
1897
1369
807
327
966
1138
854
771
552
730
908
1788
1152
894
685
Wind (km/h)
20
SSE
30
SSW
45
SSW
40
WSW
30
WNW
20
WNW
20
WNW
25
W
25
WSW
45
WSW
30
N
20
NW
20
NW
25
WNW
35
SW
35
W
50
WSW
35
WSW
15
N
25
NNE
20
NNE
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:55AM2.91m
00:10AM3.09m
12:50PM2.72m
1:09AM2.96m
2:08PM2.61m
2:23AM2.90m
3:31PM2.65m
3:35AM2.97m
4:38PM2.83m
4:36AM3.13m
5:30PM3.09m
5:28AM3.36m
6:15PM3.37m
Low Tide
5:56AM0.95m
6:05PM1.17m
6:44AM1.13m
6:53PM1.35m
7:44AM1.25m
7:55PM1.49m
8:56AM1.25m
9:12PM1.52m
10:09AM1.10m
10:28PM1.41m
11:10AM0.85m
11:30PM1.18m
12:01PM0.57m
00:21AM0.89m
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:09
5:07
5:05
5:03
5:01
4:58
4:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:22
9:23
9:25
9:29
9:30
9:32
9:35
1
1
1
5
2
1
5
3
2
1
Temp °C
10
11
9
8
8
6
7
8
8
7
6
6
7
7
9
10
10
8
9
9
8
4
4
1
-1
0
0
0
1
-1
-2
-2
-1
1
0
1
2
-1
-2
4
3
3
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
N
10
1.6
WSW
8
0.8
NNE
9
0.6
N
9
0.9
NW
12
3
NW
11
3
NNW
11
2.5
NNW
11
2
NNW
10
1.3
N
10
2.5
NW
9
1.9
WNW
9
2.2
N
9
2.1
N
9
1.7
N
10
1.3
N
10
1.2
N
10
2.5
WNW
11
2.2
WNW
11
1.9
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
11
Energy kJ
318
333
110
61
256
2174
1897
1369
807
327
966
553
854
771
552
353
290
1788
1152
894
685
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
W
7
1.1
N
9
0.2
ESE
8
0.2
NNW
12
0.6
N
9
0.5
W
13
0.5
W
12
0.5
W
12
0.5
W
11
1.5
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
9
1
WNW
9
0.1
W
19
1
N
10
1.5
NNE
8
Energy kJ
70
207
6
15
60
82
68
66
56
368
274
169
7
188
273
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
ESE
4
0.1
W
16
0.2
W
15
0.3
W
14
0.1
W
15
0.4
WNW
12
0.1
W
19
Energy kJ
3
5
17
36
4
52
7
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SE
4
2.3
WSW
8
2.1
WSW
8
2
W
8
1.9
WNW
6
1.1
N
10
2.4
N
10
1.3
WSW
5
2.5
WNW
8
2.5
WNW
9
2.5
N
8
2.2
N
8
Energy kJ
9
766
481
548
293
237
1138
66
730
908
765
634
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
3
3
1
2
1
1
1
4
4
3
Distance (km)
17
22
355
216
369
99
867
867
2
388
404
119
119
254
22
214
422
164
72
86
23
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
4
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
7
6
6
6
5
5
5
5
4
6
9
5
5
4
5
9
5
5
5
7
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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