Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Thursday 28 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
9.6° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Bay of Skaill surf forecast from 28 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 3 Jun, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period, W swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 3 Jun, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, W swell with 986 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 30 May, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period with W swell.

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 Saturday (May 30) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 16 days are 1.7m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (May 28) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sat 30th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 7s
Best Surf 4PM (Wed 3rd Jun)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Most Powerful 7PM (Wed 3rd Jun)5.5ft (1.7m) 13s

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 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu night, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the E by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat night, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
28
Friday
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
3
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
W
9
0.5
W
9
0.4
W
8
0.5
WNW
9
2.3
WSW
7
2.4
W
8
1.6
W
7
1.1
W
7
0.9
N
10
0.9
W
11
0.8
WSW
12
0.6
W
12
0.7
W
11
0.6
W
11
0.5
W
11
0.4
WSW
10
0.4
WSW
10
0.5
W
9
0.6
W
14
1.2
W
13
1.5
W
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
57
39
21
48
471
636
264
124
146
198
179
98
127
88
58
33
32
43
129
503
636
Wind (km/h)
40
SSE
40
SE
20
S
20
WSW
45
WSW
45
WSW
20
W
5
E
25
E
10
SSE
5
WSW
15
W
20
SE
25
SE
5
SW
15
W
15
W
20
SSE
25
SE
5
WNW
20
NE
off
off
off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross
off
off
glassy
cross-on
High Tide
7:25AM2.70m
7:56PM2.73m
8:07AM2.74m
8:30PM2.82m
8:46AM2.78m
9:04PM2.88m
9:23AM2.80m
9:38PM2.91m
10:00AM2.78m
10:12PM2.91m
10:37AM2.71m
10:48PM2.88m
11:14AM2.61m
11:26PM2.82m
Low Tide
1:45PM0.51m
2:06AM0.64m
2:22PM0.51m
2:43AM0.55m
2:57PM0.52m
3:19AM0.49m
3:31PM0.54m
3:54AM0.47m
4:05PM0.57m
4:30AM0.48m
4:40PM0.62m
5:08AM0.52m
5:15PM0.68m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:18
4:16
4:15
4:13
4:11
4:09
4:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:04
10:05
10:07
10:08
10:10
10:12
10:14
1
2
1
1
1
2
3
8
Temp °C
11
10
14
13
11
11
13
12
12
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
12
12
11
12
11
3
1
10
9
3
2
10
10
7
9
10
8
7
6
9
8
10
10
7
12
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
W
9
0.5
W
9
0.4
W
8
0.5
WNW
9
0.1
SE
7
0.1
SE
6
0.2
W
11
1.1
W
7
0.9
N
10
0.9
W
11
0.9
N
10
0.7
N
9
0.7
W
11
0.6
W
11
0.5
W
11
0.4
WSW
10
0.4
WSW
10
0.5
W
9
0.6
W
14
1.2
W
13
1.5
W
12
Energy kJ
57
39
21
48
2
2
10
124
146
198
146
76
127
88
58
33
32
43
129
503
636
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
NW
6
0.3
NW
6
0.3
SE
7
0.1
SE
6
0.1
N
6
0.1
W
19
0.1
N
8
0.4
NNW
8
0.7
W
7
0.9
N
10
0.8
WSW
12
0.6
W
12
0.6
N
8
0.5
N
8
0.4
N
7
0.3
NNE
7
0.4
NNE
8
0.4
NNE
7
0.4
WSW
10
0.3
NNE
7
0.2
NNE
7
Energy kJ
6
6
7
2
1
7
1
23
51
153
179
98
46
33
17
10
22
18
31
10
5
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
N
6
0.2
N
7
0.2
WNW
6
0.1
N
6
0.1
W
17
0.2
N
11
0.3
W
13
0.2
N
10
0.4
W
13
0.2
W
7
0.1
NE
7
0.2
N
9
0.1
N
8
0.2
W
16
0.3
NNE
7
0.2
ESE
7
Energy kJ
3
4
4
1
6
10
31
8
56
3
2
6
1
20
10
4
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSE
4
1.1
SE
4
0.4
S
4
0.8
W
4
2.3
WSW
7
2.4
W
8
1.6
W
7
0.3
ESE
2
0.4
SE
3
0.3
ESE
4
0.4
ESE
3
0.6
SE
3
0.7
SSE
4
0.3
SSE
3
0.4
SE
3
0.6
SE
4
Energy kJ
11
46
4
22
471
636
264
1
2
3
2
7
13
2
2
10
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
Distance (km)
50
337
206
37
632
337
45
0
48
0
23
23
0
8
0
66
97
0
0
0
21
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
3
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
6
5
5
5
5
7
7
5
5
5
4
4
4
5
5
5
4
4
6
  • 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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