Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Friday 03 Apr 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
7.7° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 (Apr 04) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 05) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Apr 08) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sat 4th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Best Surf 4PM (Sat 4th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sun 5th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 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 A light covering of new snow mostly falling on Sat night will be washed away by heavy rain (total 40mm) on Sat night. Mild temperatures (max 6°C on Fri morning, min 2°C on Sat night). Mainly near gales.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue morning, min 4°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Sun night, calm by Tue afternoon).

Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thu
09
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
3
3
2
3
4
3
4
3
2
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
W
2.3
W
2.5
W
2.4
W
3
W
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
4
W
4.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
1.9
WNW
1.7
N
2
W
2.1
W
1.7
W
1.9
W
1.9
W
1.7
W
1.5
W
1.6
W
Period(s) (?)131313121414131313101113101917151514121111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)6001849213318143859299023273244462737641478121161329592564124616321304841553599
Wind
(km/h)
15
SSE
25
WSW
25
W
35
W
25
WSW
5
E
55
N
40
W
50
W
45
W
15
SSW
15
ESE
20
SE
20
SSE
5
S
10
W
5
SSE
15
ESE
25
ESE
30
SE
10
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
onononcross-
on
offcrossonononcrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
glassoncross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:22AM
4.00
9:42PM
3.87
9:53AM
3.89
10:10PM
3.78
10:25AM
3.71
10:39PM
3.62
10:57AM
3.48
11:09PM
3.42
11:31AM
3.21
11:43PM
3.18
12:09PM
2.92
12:26AM
2.94
1:05PM
2.66
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:21AM
0.24
3:39PM
0.09
3:53AM
0.26
4:09PM
0.25
4:24AM
0.36
4:40PM
0.46
4:57AM
0.52
5:11PM
0.71
5:31AM
0.75
5:44PM
0.98
6:09AM
1.01
6:23PM
1.25
6:57AM
1.27
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thu
09
Sunrise-6:41--6:39--6:35--6:33--6:30--6:28--6:24-
Sunset--8:04--8:06--8:07--8:09--8:13--8:15--8:16
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
snow showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
9114-219221----216-----
Temp. °C56556555566761111781081110
Feels °C (?)-1-2-2-212-6-6-7-522069446367
  • 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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