Balnakiel Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.58° N 4.77° W

Balnakiel Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 29 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Balnakiel Bay sea temperature is
13.3° C
0.2° 

Balnakiel Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Balnakiel Bay surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, N swell with 1,065 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with NNW 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 (Aug 03) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 3rd Aug)3ft (0.9m) 9s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 3rd Aug)6ft (1.8m) 11s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 3rd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 11s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Wed morning, light winds from the SSW by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
3
3
3
2
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)
2
W
8
1.3
W
8
0.9
NNW
8
1
N
8
0.8
N
8
1.4
WNW
6
1
NW
7
1
WNW
6
0.7
N
7
0.7
N
8
0.7
N
8
0.6
W
9
1.4
WNW
8
1.2
WNW
8
0.9
NNW
9
2.1
N
11
2
N
11
1.8
N
10
1.5
N
10
1.4
N
9
1.1
N
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
546
224
103
121
84
119
88
82
50
55
66
57
232
159
121
1065
951
676
434
341
189
Wind (km/h)
35
SW
30
WSW
15
SW
30
SW
25
WNW
25
W
30
WSW
30
WSW
20
WSW
25
W
20
WNW
15
WSW
20
WNW
15
WNW
5
NW
5
ENE
10
NNE
10
ENE
10
ENE
15
ENE
10
NE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:59PM3.72m
9:22AM3.45m
9:30PM3.84m
9:54AM3.50m
10:00PM3.90m
10:25AM3.51m
10:30PM3.90m
10:57AM3.49m
11:01PM3.85m
11:30AM3.44m
11:36PM3.73m
12:08PM3.34m
00:16AM3.56m
Low Tide
2:50PM0.63m
3:18AM0.41m
3:23PM0.53m
3:51AM0.29m
3:56PM0.48m
4:24AM0.23m
4:29PM0.48m
4:58AM0.24m
5:03PM0.54m
5:32AM0.30m
5:39PM0.65m
6:09AM0.43m
6:19PM0.79m
part cloud
clear
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:01
5:03
5:05
5:07
5:09
5:11
5:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:47
9:45
9:44
9:40
9:38
9:37
9:34
 mm
1
2
1
2
3
2
2
1
Temp °C
15
15
13
13
12
12
14
14
12
13
13
12
13
13
12
13
12
11
12
13
12
Feels °C
9
9
10
7
7
7
7
8
8
8
8
10
9
9
10
10
9
9
9
10
10
  • 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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