Balnakiel Bay surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Sunday 22 Feb 2026 GMT
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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Feb 24) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Balnakiel Bay in the next 12 days are 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Feb 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Mar 01) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Tue 24th Feb)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 24th Feb)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 6PM (Fri 27th Feb)16ft (5.0m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Balnakiel Bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sun morning, light winds from the SW by Mon afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Wed morning, min 4°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Wed morning, near gales from the SW by Thu afternoon).

Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
3
4
2
1
0
2
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
W
2.5
W
3
W
3
W
3
W
2.5
W
1.7
W
1.8
W
2
WSW
1.6
W
1
W
2.5
WNW
1.9
NW
2.5
WSW
2.5
WSW
6
W
5
W
4.5
WNW
2.5
W
2.2
W
1.7
WNW
Period(s) (?)14141616161413121211161212811121413141413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2643279640324889470925229718941072639527166510648001575959399406809245218911030
Wind
(km/h)
40
SW
40
SW
35
SW
25
WSW
15
WSW
15
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSW
25
SSW
10
WNW
15
E
20
SSW
20
SW
50
SW
35
SW
40
W
40
WNW
40
W
25
SSW
20
S
20
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrossonoffcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
onononcrosscrosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:36AM
3.89
11:04PM
3.52
11:21AM
3.61
11:52PM
3.28
12:19PM
3.27
12:57AM
3.04
1:42PM
2.98
2:29AM
2.91
3:29PM
2.90
4:08AM
3.01
5:02PM
3.06
5:23AM
3.30
6:07PM
3.31
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:06PM
0.32
5:21AM
0.62
5:51PM
0.65
6:12AM
0.88
6:48PM
1.00
7:22AM
1.13
8:09PM
1.27
9:04AM
1.22
9:53PM
1.30
10:43AM
1.02
11:15PM
1.09
11:52AM
0.67
12:12AM
0.80
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunrise7:35--7:31--7:30--7:26--7:24--7:20--7:18--
Sunset-5:30--5:32--5:35--5:37--5:39--5:42--5:45-
clear
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
-131-3--3-5161-311---
Temp. °C88788881010878887755675
Feels °C (?)-1-1-24443556433-3-1-2-3-5010
  • 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 12 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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