
Surf Forecasts:
Bay of Skaill surf forecast from 26 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 1 Oct, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 1 Oct, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, W swell with 3,580 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 28 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s 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 Monday (Sep 28) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Oct 01) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 29) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 28th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Thu 1st Oct) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 1st Oct) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bay of Skaill over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Sat night, light winds from the S by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SE on Tue night, calm by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 26 | Sunday 27 | Monday 28 | Tuesday 29 | Wednesday 30 | Thursday 1 | Friday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 12 | NNW 10 | N 10 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2679 | 1532 | 980 | 738 | 592 | 1179 | 1644 | 1520 | 883 | 434 | 233 | 187 | 31 | 16 | 2063 | 2753 | 3580 | 1777 | 1790 | 1444 | 1029 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 9:12PM3.22m | 9:39AM3.05m | 9:44PM3.28m | 10:09AM3.10m | 10:18PM3.28m | 10:42AM3.09m | 10:55PM3.19m | 11:17AM3.01m | 11:36PM3.02m | 11:57AM2.87m | 00:25AM2.78m | 12:47PM2.68m | 1:30AM2.51m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:09PM0.29m | 3:33AM-0.04m | 3:43PM0.19m | 4:06AM-0.07m | 4:18PM0.14m | 4:41AM-0.01m | 4:55PM0.17m | 5:18AM0.15m | 5:35PM0.27m | 5:59AM0.38m | 6:21PM0.44m | 6:45AM0.65m | 7:16PM0.65m | ||||||||
7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
— | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 5 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 12 | NNW 10 | N 10 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 |
2679 | 1532 | 980 | 738 | 592 | 52 | 48 | 1520 | 883 | 434 | 233 | 187 | 31 | 16 | 2063 | 2753 | 3580 | 1777 | 1790 | 1444 | 1029 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 9 | — | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | SE 7 | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | WSW 11 | W 14 | WSW 7 | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | NNW 13 | NNW 12 |
2 | 1 | — | 34 | 31 | 2 | 49 | 45 | 36 | 33 | 31 | 37 | 23 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 17 | 28 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 12 | — | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | NNW 11 | W 9 | WSW 10 | ESE 8 | SE 10 | N 10 | — | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 |
— | — | — | — | 31 | — | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | 11 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 8 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 4 | SSE 5 | S 5 | W 11 | W 12 | — | ESE 6 | SSE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | S 4 | S 4 | S 3 | SSE 4 | — | — | — |
— | — | 46 | 63 | 47 | 1179 | 1644 | — | 4 | 47 | 106 | 243 | 207 | 91 | 21 | 21 | 5 | 21 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 51 | 47 | 51 | 519 | 45 | 51 | 47 | 43 | 49 | 113 | 511 | 113 | 335 | 149 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 23 | 47 | 54 | 51 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
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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.










