Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Thursday 07 May 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
8.8° 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 (May 07) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. 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 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 12) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Thursday (May 07) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Thu 7th May)3.5ft (1.0m) 9s
Best Surf 1AM (Wed 13th May)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 7PM (Tue 12th May)10ft (3.0m) 11s

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

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 11°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Mon night, min 5°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sun morning, light winds from the WNW by Mon morning).

Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
1.2
N
10
1
N
9
1.6
W
9
2.5
WSW
8
2.2
W
8
2
WNW
9
2.5
NW
11
2.5
NNW
11
2
NNW
11
1.4
NNW
10
3
NW
9
1.9
N
10
1.4
WNW
9
1.4
WNW
9
2.3
W
7
2.4
WNW
9
3
WNW
11
3
WNW
11
3
NNW
9
2.3
NNW
9
2
NNW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
262
166
408
844
597
591
1630
1395
871
410
1325
652
319
307
483
963
1780
1747
1393
808
613
Wind (km/h)
40
SSE
20
S
35
SSW
45
SW
40
WSW
25
WNW
25
NW
30
W
30
W
50
WSW
45
NNW
40
NNW
25
NNW
25
W
45
WSW
40
W
50
WSW
35
WSW
35
NNW
45
NNW
45
NW
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
on
on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
on
on
on
High Tide
12:48PM2.30m
1:03AM2.47m
1:47PM2.13m
2:04AM2.36m
3:05PM2.04m
3:17AM2.32m
4:25PM2.08m
4:26AM2.37m
5:29PM2.21m
5:24AM2.49m
6:20PM2.41m
6:14AM2.66m
7:03PM2.64m
Low Tide
6:47PM1.01m
7:31AM0.96m
7:36PM1.14m
8:34AM1.03m
8:39PM1.23m
9:49AM1.01m
9:58PM1.23m
11:01AM0.87m
11:14PM1.13m
11:59AM0.66m
00:14AM0.95m
12:47PM0.43m
1:04AM0.73m
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:01
4:58
4:56
4:54
4:52
4:50
4:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:19
9:21
9:22
9:25
9:28
9:30
9:31
1
5
1
1
4
1
4
Temp °C
10
11
11
8
8
7
7
7
7
7
6
6
6
6
9
9
9
8
8
8
7
3
6
3
-3
-2
-1
-1
-1
1
-4
-5
-5
0
-1
0
-1
-2
-1
0
-2
-4
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
N
10
1
N
9
1.6
W
9
0.5
N
9
0.4
N
9
1.2
NW
12
2.5
NW
11
2.5
NNW
11
2
NNW
11
1.4
NNW
10
1.7
WNW
9
1.5
N
8
1.4
WNW
9
1
N
9
0.8
N
9
0.8
N
10
3
WNW
11
1.8
WNW
11
1.4
WNW
11
2
NNW
9
Energy kJ
262
166
408
41
27
409
1630
1395
871
410
453
319
307
160
97
116
1747
692
452
613
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
W
7
0.9
W
8
0.7
N
9
0.2
W
15
0.3
W
14
0.5
W
13
0.5
W
12
0.6
W
12
0.5
W
11
1.6
N
10
1.4
WNW
9
1.3
N
9
0.1
NE
6
0.7
WNW
13
0.1
W
19
0.7
N
9
0.1
W
18
0.1
W
18
1.2
WNW
10
Energy kJ
17
93
78
17
37
85
71
97
57
472
301
264
2
168
7
83
6
6
312
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SE
7
0.1
SE
6
0.2
NNW
14
0.3
NNE
9
0.2
ESE
5
0.2
ESE
5
0.1
NE
10
0.2
ENE
8
0.1
W
15
0.1
W
18
0.1
W
17
Energy kJ
7
2
20
16
3
2
4
6
4
6
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSE
4
0.6
S
4
0.6
S
4
2.5
WSW
8
2.2
W
8
2
WNW
9
1.6
W
5
3
NW
9
1.9
N
10
2.3
W
7
2.4
WNW
9
3
WNW
11
3
NNW
9
2.3
NNW
9
Energy kJ
21
9
9
844
597
591
131
1325
652
483
963
1780
1393
808
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
Distance (km)
49
0
66
225
210
54
54
54
176
404
408
214
336
54
176
458
672
176
510
404
458
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands
Rating
(10 max)
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
1
4
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
7
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
8
5
5
9
9
7
5
5
6
8
  • 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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