Surf Forecasts:
Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 12 Oct 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 18 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 15 Oct, 1AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 17s period, W swell with 10,377 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 12 Oct, 4PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period with NNE 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 (Oct 12) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 4.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Oct 15) 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 1.0m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Oct 14) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Mon 12th Oct) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sun 18th Oct) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 15th Oct) | 15ft (4.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Mon afternoon, gales from the SW by Wed afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 11°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Thu morning, light winds from the NW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 12 | Tuesday 13 | Wednesday 14 | Thursday 15 | Friday 16 | Saturday 17 | Sunday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 | NNE 8 | W 12 | WSW 7 | W 7 | W 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 12 | W 17 | W 14 | WNW 13 | NW 12 | W 12 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 117 | 53 | 70 | 456 | 431 | 2531 | 1540 | 3280 | 10377 | 6199 | 5580 | 1599 | 1225 | 1569 | 819 | 1020 | 1027 | 720 | 281 | 847 | 1468 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:34PM3.92m | 9:51AM3.84m | 10:08PM3.73m | 10:22AM3.68m | 10:42PM3.49m | 10:54AM3.46m | 11:18PM3.21m | 11:30AM3.22m | 00:00AM2.91m | 12:15PM2.97m | 1:00AM2.65m | 1:26PM2.77m | 2:41AM2.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:35PM0.20m | 3:51AM0.22m | 4:08PM0.30m | 4:23AM0.44m | 4:42PM0.47m | 4:56AM0.70m | 5:17PM0.71m | 5:30AM0.98m | 5:57PM0.97m | 6:10AM1.25m | 6:47PM1.24m | 7:01AM1.49m | 7:56PM1.44m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:47 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:06 | — |
mm | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | NNE 8 | W 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 14 | ENE 9 | WSW 11 | WSW 12 | W 17 | W 14 | WNW 13 | NW 12 | W 12 | NNW 14 | W 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | WNW 10 | N 11 | N 11 |
| kJ | 117 | 53 | 70 | 40 | 258 | 8 | 1540 | 3280 | 10377 | 6199 | 5580 | 1599 | 1225 | 975 | 819 | 1020 | 1027 | 720 | 281 | 192 | 112 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | WNW 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 10 | — | E 9 | — | — | N 22 | — | W 13 | NNW 15 | NNW 14 | NNW 13 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | W 14 | — |
| kJ | 78 | 26 | 39 | 14 | 9 | — | 2 | — | — | 36 | — | 1519 | 573 | 953 | 700 | 556 | 488 | 333 | 242 | 268 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | ESE 5 | WSW 5 | ESE 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 18 | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | — | SE 4 | WSW 7 | W 7 | W 13 | S 4 | ESE 5 | — | — | — | — | NW 11 | WNW 12 | — | — | — | — | WSW 5 | W 10 | W 13 |
| kJ | 25 | — | 16 | 456 | 431 | 2531 | 28 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 496 | 1569 | — | — | — | — | 60 | 847 | 1468 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 17 | 0 | 321 | 224 | 224 | 95 | 756 | 809 | 95 | 72 | 216 | 2 | 2 | 348 | 118 | 2 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 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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