Balnakiel Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.58° N 4.77° W

Balnakiel Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Balnakiel Bay sea temperature is
13.1° C
0.3° 

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 15 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with 265 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period with W 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 (Jul 15) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period. 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 1.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Wed 15th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 10s
Best Surf 1AM (Fri 17th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s
Most Powerful 1AM (Fri 17th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the WSW by Sun afternoon).

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.5
W
9
0.4
W
9
0.7
W
12
1.1
WNW
11
0.8
WNW
9
0.8
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
8
1.2
WNW
7
1.3
NW
7
0.9
WNW
7
0.4
WNW
12
0.4
WNW
11
1.4
WNW
6
1.3
NW
7
1.2
NW
7
1
NW
7
0.7
NW
7
0.7
NW
7
0.7
NW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
64
57
40
24
144
265
113
106
207
142
167
75
49
42
145
174
156
104
48
51
46
Wind (km/h)
0
SE
10
NNW
0
W
5
N
10
NNE
5
N
15
NW
15
WNW
15
W
10
NNW
15
N
5
W
20
WSW
30
WSW
25
WSW
20
W
20
W
10
WNW
10
W
20
W
20
WSW
Wind State
glassy
cross
glassy
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
9:28PM4.21m
10:05AM3.84m
10:14PM4.26m
10:52AM3.76m
11:00PM4.20m
11:38AM3.62m
11:45PM4.01m
12:24PM3.44m
00:31AM3.75m
1:11PM3.24m
1:20AM3.44m
2:02PM3.06m
2:15AM3.15m
Low Tide
3:23PM0.22m
3:56AM-0.18m
4:08PM0.22m
4:42AM-0.18m
4:51PM0.30m
5:27AM-0.05m
5:34PM0.46m
6:11AM0.18m
6:18PM0.68m
6:55AM0.48m
7:04PM0.92m
7:41AM0.79m
7:56PM1.16m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:33
4:35
4:37
4:39
4:41
4:43
4:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:14
10:13
10:10
10:08
10:07
10:06
10:04
 mm
Temp °C
20
20
19
17
15
12
14
14
12
13
12
12
14
14
13
13
13
12
14
15
13
Feels °C
19
18
19
16
13
11
11
11
9
10
9
8
9
10
8
10
10
10
11
12
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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