Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Wednesday 11 Mar 2026 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
7.4° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Mar 12) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 5.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 4.0m and 13s. 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 6.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 16) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Mar 12) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Thu 12th Mar)16ft (5.0m) 14s
Best Surf12AM (Thu 12th Mar)16ft (5.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 9AM (Mon 16th Mar)21ft (6.5m) 18s

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 38mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Wed morning, min 3°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (gales from the W on Wed morning, strong winds from the W by Fri night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Mon night, min 5°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat night, near gales from the W by Sun night).

Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
!
0
0
!
0
0
0
0
!
!
2
0
0
!
!
!
!
0
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
6
W
6.5
W
5
W
4.5
W
5
W
5.5
W
4.5
W
4
W
5
W
4.5
WNW
4
WNW
3
WNW
2.3
WNW
2.5
W
4
W
6.5
WNW
6
WNW
4.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
W
3
WNW
Period(s) (?)111414131416161515131312121211181816141419
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)889316064981067298618157249478745610186755652892894156819593385263222105110181553040206144
Wind
(km/h)
65
WSW
50
WSW
55
SSW
50
SW
50
SW
45
SW
50
WSW
40
WSW
50
W
35
W
35
W
30
WSW
45
S
45
W
50
W
40
WSW
35
S
40
S
45
S
40
W
20
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
crosscrosscrossoffcrosscrosscrossoffcross-
off
offcross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:39PM
2.12
2:18AM
2.11
3:29PM
2.01
4:12AM
2.12
5:10PM
2.09
5:31AM
2.29
6:11PM
2.26
6:20AM
2.52
6:53PM
2.46
6:57AM
2.75
7:27PM
2.65
7:29AM
2.98
7:59PM
2.84
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:35PM
1.32
8:35AM
1.33
9:25PM
1.42
10:49AM
1.28
11:15PM
1.29
12:00PM
1.05
12:10AM
1.07
12:42PM
0.76
12:48AM
0.82
1:16PM
0.47
1:22AM
0.59
1:49PM
0.20
1:56AM
0.38
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Sunrise6:43--6:39--6:37--6:33--6:31--6:28--6:24--
Sunset-6:05--6:07--6:08--6:12--6:14--6:16--6:19-
rain showers
part cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
light rain
part cloud
Rain (mm)
1-1612222-3212221-21-3-
Temp. °C7665556677775667791056
Feels °C (?)-6-6-6-6-7-7-5-4-3-2-10-6-4-6-2-100-40
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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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