Orkney Surf
Detailed Orkney surf forecast maps and the latest eyeball surf report from local surfers in the region. Near-shore swell is shown on the map together with the surf forecast rating for spots in Orkney. Find the best places to surf in offshore conditions by selecting the wind option on the forecast map. Windsurfers and kite surfers can also use this option to find more favorable cross-shore conditions in Orkney. Our local Wavefinder indicates where some of the best conditions are likely to be found in Orkney over the next 7 days. Surf photos from Orkney and reviews of the best spots and surfing conditions have been provided by local surfers.
Orkney Surf Forecast
Orkney Surf Forecast map for predicting the best wave and wind conditions across the region. For surfers, the map shows the most powerful swell tracking across near-shore open water and not the peak waves experienced by boats out at sea. Move your mouse over the ocean swell symbols or the surf breaks on the coastline to see a more detailed surf forecast including wave period and wind conditions. The forecast updates every 6 hours and most live weather reports update every hour. You can animate the Orkney Surf map or show live wind and wave conditions as reported from wavebuoys and local weather stations. Surf breaks shown along the Orkney coastline are also listed below.
Orkney Surf Report
Recent Eyeball Surf Reports for Scot - Orkney
- Today half hour after high tide the Waves that break on the right hand side of the Brough of Birsay causeway were in excess of 5 metres. Parts of that hazardous exposed reef would be no go to all but the most expert of surfers.
Eyeball Orkney Surf Reports are sent in by surfers living or working at the Orkney surf breaks. We don't publish reports from secret spots and reporters send in wave reports from more popular or indicator breaks to help their local surf community. If you are often in Orkney and want to get involved we can publish your surf reports anonymously or provide free publicity for your business.
Orkney Photos
Orkney Wavefinder
Friday 29 | Saturday 30 | Sunday 31 | Monday 01 | Tuesday 02 | Wednesday 03 | |||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney | ||||||||||||||||||
Rating | ||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) & direction (?) | 2.3 N | 2.2 N | 2.0 N | 1.6 N | 1.4 N | 1.4 N | 1.1 N | 1.7 N | 1.9 N | 1.9 N | 2.5 N | 2.3 N | 1.9 N | 1.8 N | 1.7 N | 2.4 N | 2.2 N | 1.5 N |
Period(s) (?) | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Energy(?) | 1152 | 1179 | 1004 | 585 | 410 | 630 | 279 | 713 | 856 | 850 | 1736 | 1280 | 841 | 723 | 621 | 1863 | 1439 | 614 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||
Wind State(?) | cross- off | off | off | off | off | cross- off | cross- off | on | cross- off | cross- off | cross- off | off | off | off | cross- off | cross- off | cross- off | off |
High Tide / height (m) | 10:32AM | 10:48PM | 11:02AM | 10:32AM | 11:19PM | 11:39AM | 12:01AM | 12:33PM | 1:08AM | 2:09PM | 4:47AM | 5:59PM | ||||||
Low Tide / height (m) | 4:50PM | 5:06AM | 5:23PM | 5:43AM | 6:03PM | 6:32AM | 4:50PM | 6:58PM | 7:45AM | 8:47PM | 11:17AM | 10:10PM | ||||||
Summary | some clouds | some clouds | clear | clear | clear | clear | clear | clear | some clouds | cloudy | cloudy | cloudy | cloudy | cloudy | light rain | cloudy | cloudy | cloudy |
Rain (mm) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - |
High °C | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Low °C | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Chill °C (?) | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -2 | -2 | -3 | -4 | -2 | -2 |
Sunrise | 5:45 | - | - | 5:43 | - | - | 5:37 | - | - | 5:37 | - | - | 5:33 | - | - | 5:31 | - | - |
Sunset | - | 6:51 | - | - | 6:52 | - | - | 6:54 | - | - | 6:58 | - | - | 7:00 | - | - | 7:01 | - |
Swell1 (m) & direction | 2.3 N | 2.2 N | 2.0 N | 1.6 N | 1.4 N | 1.4 N | 1.1 N | 1.7 N | 1.9 N | 1.9 N | - | 2.3 N | 1.9 N | 1.8 N | 1.7 N | 2.4 N | 2.2 N | 1.5 N |
Period (s) | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | - | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Swell2 (m) & direction | 0.6 W | 0.5 W | 0.3 W | 0.3 W | 0.6 N | 0.6 NW | 0.6 SSE | 0.2 W | - | 0.2 WNW | - | 0.4 NE | 0.4 NE | 0.3 ENE | 0.1 NE | - | - | 0.1 W |
Period (s) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 9 | - | 8 | - | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | - | - | 14 |
Wind waves (m) & direction | - | - | 0.3 SSW | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.7 N | 2.5 N | 1.0 NE | 0.4 NE | - | 0.5 ENE | - | - | 0.2 NNW |
Period (s) | - | - | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 | 11 | 12 | 4 | - | 3 | - | - | 2 |
Orkney Surf Breaks
Orkeny and the shetlands are very remote islands in the very north of Scotland which attracts the more hard core surfer in search of some of the most perfect waves you can get in this part of the world. There is a small but keen group of surfers that live there. You need to bring all of your own equipment with you as this place is as remote as remote gets. The Bay of Skaill offers the largest surf and tends to be the most poplar spot with locals. The coastlines are very exposed so is known for some big swells powering through and hammering the shores.
Orkney has a range of sandy bays, intense reef breaks and near perfect point breaks. Luckily the gulf stream runs all of the way up offering a slightly warmer surf.
The swell window is very generous allowing breaks to go off from a multitude of directions. The weather can be quite fierce so be prepared for cold and strong winds. If the swell is flat take five to absorb one of the most beautiful untouched places in Europe. Getting there can be quite tricky and expensive but is worth it, for the waves awaiting are world class and uncrowded.