Surf Forecasts:
Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 11 Oct 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 18 Oct, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 14 Oct, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, W swell with 7,374 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 11 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period with WNW 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 Sunday (Oct 11) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Oct 14) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Oct 13) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sun 11th Oct) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 18th Oct) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 14th Oct) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the W by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 11 | Monday 12 | Tuesday 13 | Wednesday 14 | Thursday 15 | Friday 16 | Saturday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 13 | W 11 | WSW 13 | W 15 | W 14 | W 13 | W 11 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1059 | 586 | 279 | 117 | 81 | 70 | 3278 | 2241 | 3116 | 2092 | 3932 | 6687 | 3835 | 3052 | 2041 | 1794 | 1487 | 1208 | 1935 | 1444 | 759 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 9:01PM4.04m | 9:21AM3.93m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:01PM0.18m | 3:19AM0.05m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:43 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — |
 | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:08 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | NNE 8 | W 12 | NE 9 | NE 10 | — | W 11 | WSW 13 | W 15 | W 14 | W 13 | N 11 | NW 10 | NNW 14 | NNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 1059 | 586 | 279 | 117 | 53 | 70 | 12 | 15 | — | 2092 | 3932 | 6687 | 3835 | 3052 | 21 | 286 | 322 | 280 | 1935 | 1444 | 759 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | WSW 12 | NNE 8 | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | — | N 12 | NNW 11 | — | NNW 15 | — | WNW 15 | NNW 12 | N 12 | N 11 |
| kJ | 126 | 146 | 137 | 78 | 81 | 27 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 27 | 43 | — | 87 | — | 174 | 192 | 130 | 119 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 11 | N 9 | ESE 4 | WNW 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 16 | — | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | 2 | 10 | 28 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 90 | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 3 | S 3 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | W 12 | W 11 | W 13 | SSW 5 | — | SSE 4 | — | — | W 11 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | 1 | 3 | 44 | 3278 | 2241 | 3116 | 45 | — | 25 | — | — | 2041 | 1794 | 1487 | 1208 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 321 | 216 | 227 | 72 | 31 | 803 | 95 | 72 | 72 | 45 | 99 | 730 | 99 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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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