Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Friday 29 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
9.7° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 29 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 4 Jun, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 5 Jun, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 13s period, WSW swell with 1,511 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 30 May, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period with WSW 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 Saturday (May 30) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 2.1m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jun 05) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Sat 30th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 7s
Best Surf10AM (Thu 4th Jun)4.5ft (1.4m) 14s
Most Powerful10AM (Fri 5th Jun)7ft (2.1m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SW
5
1.9
WSW
6
2
W
7
1.2
W
7
0.7
WSW
7
1
N
9
1
N
10
0.8
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
11
0.7
WSW
11
0.6
W
11
0.5
W
10
0.5
W
10
0.6
NNE
8
0.4
W
14
0.6
W
13
0.7
W
12
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
102
266
366
126
57
171
186
183
186
170
123
82
50
53
51
64
125
137
788
617
638
Wind (km/h)
35
SW
40
SW
30
SW
20
SW
0
NE
5
S
10
WSW
20
WSW
15
SW
20
SW
5
NE
10
ESE
0
SSE
5
NNE
5
SE
15
SE
5
NNE
10
SE
5
NE
5
NNE
5
SSW
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross
High Tide
7:43PM3.52m
7:58AM3.45m
8:17PM3.58m
8:35AM3.47m
8:51PM3.61m
9:11AM3.45m
9:25PM3.60m
9:48AM3.38m
10:01PM3.57m
10:25AM3.27m
10:37PM3.51m
11:03AM3.14m
11:15PM3.42m
Low Tide
1:38PM0.62m
2:00AM0.67m
2:13PM0.60m
2:35AM0.58m
2:48PM0.60m
3:11AM0.53m
3:23PM0.63m
3:47AM0.54m
3:58PM0.68m
4:24AM0.59m
4:33PM0.77m
5:03AM0.68m
5:10PM0.88m
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:26
4:24
4:22
4:22
4:20
4:18
4:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:07
10:08
10:10
10:12
10:14
10:15
10:16
1
1
1
6
4
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
3
3
Temp °C
14
12
12
14
12
12
14
14
12
13
13
12
13
13
13
13
14
12
13
12
12
8
4
5
13
12
11
10
10
9
10
11
10
13
12
12
10
14
11
12
11
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
WNW
9
0.1
NE
7
0.1
NE
7
0.3
WNW
8
0.7
WSW
7
1
N
9
1
N
10
1
N
9
0.8
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
11
0.7
WSW
11
0.6
W
11
0.6
NNE
8
0.6
NNE
8
0.6
NNE
8
0.6
NNE
8
0.6
W
13
0.7
W
12
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
Energy kJ
47
2
2
13
57
171
186
164
186
170
123
82
47
53
51
47
125
137
788
617
638
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
7
0.1
N
6
0.1
W
18
0.2
WSW
11
0.5
WNW
7
0.8
WSW
10
0.8
WSW
11
0.8
WSW
12
0.8
N
9
0.6
N
8
0.5
N
8
0.4
N
8
0.5
W
10
0.5
W
10
0.5
W
9
0.4
WSW
9
0.5
NNE
8
0.5
NNE
7
0.4
NNE
7
0.5
NE
7
0.4
NE
7
Energy kJ
1
1
6
11
26
128
167
183
101
48
32
18
50
47
41
28
32
31
20
24
12
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
6
0.1
N
6
0.2
N
8
0.4
N
8
0.4
WSW
12
0.3
NNE
7
0.1
W
14
0.3
ENE
3
0.4
W
14
0.5
E
4
0.3
W
17
0.2
E
6
Energy kJ
1
1
5
21
52
9
4
2
64
7
50
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SW
5
1.9
WSW
6
2
W
7
1.2
W
7
0.3
E
2
0.4
E
3
0.5
E
3
0.6
E
3
Energy kJ
102
266
366
126
1
3
5
7
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
2
Distance (km)
45
552
262
2
0
2
2
2
2
50
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
31
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
1
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
4
3
3
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
7
7
6
5
5
4
4
5
8
4
6
5
5
5
5
5
7
6
  • 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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