Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Sunday 07 Dec 2025 GMT
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
10.2° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bay of Skaill this week:

The surf forecast for Bay of Skaill over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Dec 08) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Bay of Skaill in the next 12 days are 7.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 10) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 09) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Mon 8th Dec)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf 6PM (Wed 10th Dec)23ft (7.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 6PM (Wed 10th Dec)23ft (7.0m) 13s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Sun night, gales from the ESE by Tue afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed night, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (severe gales from the WSW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the NW by Fri afternoon).

Sun
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
2
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
!
2
7
!
!
!
!
2
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
W
1.1
W
0.9
W
1.4
WNW
2.4
W
2.2
W
1.6
W
1.6
W
5.5
W
6
W
6
W
3.5
W
2.3
W
2.5
WNW
4
W
3.5
W
3
W
3.5
W
1.7
W
2
W
2.5
WSW
Period(s) (?)141312201716151514131214131817161515141311
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)663421243156033542344109910741086911825100654474172643788521638637284869111512881768
Wind
(km/h)
40
ESE
20
SW
15
SSW
25
WSW
20
S
45
SE
65
ESE
50
SW
50
SSW
70
SW
75
WSW
35
SSW
40
S
40
SSE
40
SSE
5
NW
20
SSE
35
S
35
SSW
30
S
15
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
offoffoffcross-
on
offcross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:20PM
2.99
10:31AM
3.22
11:15PM
2.78
11:23AM
3.09
12:14AM
2.57
12:19PM
2.92
1:17AM
2.39
1:20PM
2.74
2:24AM
2.28
2:25PM
2.59
3:30AM
2.26
3:31PM
2.49
4:31AM
2.32
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:08PM
-0.02
4:22AM
0.37
4:59PM
0.09
5:09AM
0.54
5:53PM
0.26
5:59AM
0.73
6:51PM
0.45
6:55AM
0.92
7:54PM
0.61
8:00AM
1.06
9:02PM
0.72
9:16AM
1.13
10:09PM
0.78
10:31AM
1.09
Sun
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunrise--8:52--8:52--8:55--8:56--8:56--8:57--9:00
Sunset3:18--3:17--3:17--3:15--3:15--3:15--3:15--
cloud
heavy rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-14---2101-311---------
Temp. °C1099999121110101111111010999889
Feels °C (?)22544-12-1-1-4-43242751005
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 12 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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