Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Thursday 30 Apr 2026 BST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Bay of Skaill surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Bay of Skaill sea temperature is
8.5° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bay of Skaill this week:

The surf forecast for Bay of Skaill over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Apr 30) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Bay of Skaill in the next 16 days are 2.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Apr 30) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Apr 30) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Thu 30th Apr)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s
Best Surf10AM (Thu 30th Apr)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s
Most Powerful10AM (Thu 30th Apr)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 7°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the NNE by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Sun night, min 3°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, severe gales from the NNW by Tue morning).

Thursday
30
Friday
1
Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
3
2
1
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
WNW
14
2.1
WNW
13
1.8
WNW
12
1.6
WNW
12
1.5
WNW
11
1.4
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
1.4
WNW
10
1.2
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
9
0.9
WNW
9
0.9
WNW
9
1.5
NW
9
1.8
NW
8
1
N
9
1.1
N
8
1.7
N
9
1.4
N
9
1.7
NW
10
2
NNW
10
1.5
NNW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2197
1535
962
647
512
408
464
365
269
156
144
126
342
418
166
173
463
340
535
788
367
Wind (km/h)
20
S
25
SSE
5
WSW
5
S
10
WNW
5
W
30
NNE
40
NNE
25
NE
5
N
15
W
45
WSW
25
NW
20
WNW
15
SW
35
WNW
55
NNW
35
NNW
40
NNW
35
WNW
40
WNW
off
off
glassy
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross
cross
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
8:33AM2.98m
8:59PM2.95m
9:08AM3.00m
9:29PM3.00m
9:42AM2.98m
9:59PM3.00m
10:16AM2.92m
10:29PM2.96m
10:50AM2.82m
11:01PM2.88m
11:25AM2.67m
11:36PM2.75m
12:04PM2.49m
00:15AM2.61m
Low Tide
2:50PM0.22m
3:06AM0.38m
3:22PM0.25m
3:39AM0.33m
3:53PM0.32m
4:11AM0.34m
4:25PM0.43m
4:45AM0.41m
4:57PM0.56m
5:20AM0.51m
5:30PM0.71m
5:58AM0.66m
6:06PM0.86m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:20
5:16
5:13
5:11
5:09
5:07
5:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:01
9:05
9:07
9:08
9:12
9:14
9:15
2
2
2
1
1
3
2
1
1
1
3
Temp °C
13
14
15
14
12
10
7
7
7
6
6
8
8
7
7
6
5
6
6
6
6
7
7
8
11
9
9
0
-2
-1
2
1
-2
1
1
3
-3
-8
-3
-4
-3
-4
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
WNW
14
2.1
WNW
13
1.8
WNW
12
1.6
WNW
12
1.5
WNW
11
1.4
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
1.4
WNW
10
1.2
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
9
0.9
WNW
9
0.9
WNW
9
0.8
WNW
9
0.4
N
10
1.1
NW
8
1.1
N
8
0.7
WNW
8
1.4
N
9
0.9
NNE
10
0.5
N
9
1.5
NNW
9
Energy kJ
2197
1535
962
647
512
408
464
365
269
156
144
126
101
31
158
173
62
340
167
44
367
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SE
6
0.3
SE
6
0.3
WSW
10
0.3
WSW
10
0.1
SE
6
0.1
SE
6
0.8
N
6
0.8
NNW
7
0.9
N
8
0.7
N
8
0.4
N
8
0.3
N
8
1
W
8
0.8
WNW
8
0.1
SE
4
0.6
WNW
9
0.3
ESE
6
0.1
E
5
Energy kJ
9
6
22
19
2
1
44
60
108
58
19
12
127
83
1
64
7
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SE
6
0.4
NNW
9
0.1
NE
5
0.1
SE
5
1
N
9
0.4
NNW
8
0.6
NW
11
Energy kJ
1
29
1
1
166
20
103
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SE
6
0.5
SE
3
0.7
NNE
4
0.2
E
5
0.3
SE
5
0.5
WNW
3
1.5
NW
9
1.8
NW
8
0.5
S
3
1.7
N
9
1.7
NW
10
2
NNW
10
1.4
WNW
6
Energy kJ
19
5
12
2
4
5
342
418
6
463
535
788
114
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
0
8
0
0
37
23
120
326
21
0
43
51
54
54
0
731
623
458
458
309
342
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
1
2
2
2
1
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
2
2
3
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
6
7
5
5
5
7
4
4
4
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
  • 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 Bay of Skaill Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Bay of Skaill provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bay of Skaill can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bay of Skaill 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 (Bay of Skaill) 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 Bay of Skaill 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 Orkney Islands? If you are looking for accommodation near Bay of Skaill, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Orkney Islands, consider staying in Kirkwall which is 23 km (14 miles) away. Other places in and around Orkney Islands where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Scrabster which is 50 km (31 miles) away and Wick, 71 km (44 miles) away.

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