Balnakiel Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.58° N 4.77° W

Balnakiel Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 27 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Balnakiel Bay sea temperature is
12.0°C
0.5° 

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 27 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 28 Oct, 6AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 28 Oct, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 13s period, W swell with 9,875 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 28 Oct, 6AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Oct 28) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 16 days are 5.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Oct 28) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Oct 29) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Wed 28th Oct)15ft (4.5m) 12s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 28th Oct)15ft (4.5m) 12s
Most Powerful12AM (Wed 28th Oct)18ft (5.5m) 13s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (gales from the WSW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the SE by Thu afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the WSW by Sun morning).

Tue
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
1
Monday
2
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
3
2
4
2
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
7
W
12
5.5
W
13
4
WNW
12
4
WNW
12
2.4
WNW
11
1.5
W
10
1.3
W
10
1.9
W
13
1.8
WSW
13
1.5
W
13
1.7
W
12
1.9
W
13
2
W
13
2.1
W
13
2.1
W
12
2.1
WNW
12
2.1
WNW
12
2.1
WNW
11
1.8
WNW
11
1.7
W
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
15132
9875
4567
4093
1326
487
313
1264
1162
771
857
1266
1440
1468
1378
1200
1170
990
778
632
Wind (km/h)
65
WSW
45
WSW
45
WSW
40
WSW
35
SW
15
SSE
10
SE
15
SSE
15
S
30
SW
5
W
15
SE
25
WSW
25
W
30
WSW
35
SW
30
SW
25
SW
15
WSW
10
SSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
8:12PM4.10m
8:34AM4.04m
8:55PM3.99m
9:14AM3.94m
9:42PM3.76m
10:00AM3.76m
10:36PM3.46m
10:54AM3.53m
11:45PM3.14m
12:04PM3.32m
1:14AM2.93m
1:31PM3.21m
2:47AM2.93m
Low Tide
2:37AM-0.00m
2:58PM0.05m
3:19AM0.18m
3:43PM0.16m
4:04AM0.44m
4:33PM0.35m
4:54AM0.75m
5:32PM0.60m
5:53AM1.06m
6:43PM0.81m
7:07AM1.29m
8:10PM0.88m
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
—
—
7:24
—
—
7:26
—
—
7:28
—
—
7:31
—
—
7:33
—
—
7:35
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:42
—
—
4:39
—
—
4:37
—
—
4:35
—
—
4:31
—
—
4:30
—
—
4:27
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 mm
—
4
2
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
9
10
11
11
12
14
14
12
12
13
9
9
10
10
9
10
10
10
10
10
Feels °C
-5
2
2
3
5
11
12
8
8
8
5
6
5
4
2
3
3
5
6
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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