Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Wednesday 29 Apr 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
8.4° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Apr 29) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 05) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Apr 30) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Wed 29th Apr)5.5ft (1.7m) 13s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 5th May)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful10AM (Tue 5th May)13ft (4.0m) 12s

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

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 10°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Sat night). Mainly strong winds.

Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
1
Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
4
4
4
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
!
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)
1.6
W
12
1.7
WNW
16
2.5
WNW
15
2.3
WNW
14
2.2
WNW
13
1.8
WNW
13
1.6
WNW
12
1.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
1.4
WNW
10
1
WNW
10
1.1
N
10
1.1
N
10
0.8
N
9
0.7
WNW
9
1.8
W
7
3
W
9
4
WNW
12
4
WNW
12
4
WNW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
738
1469
2937
2197
1679
977
671
512
476
442
348
205
245
230
103
82
312
1502
4641
4258
3492
Wind (km/h)
15
SSE
15
SE
20
SE
15
S
20
SE
10
S
10
SSW
20
W
15
WNW
15
NNE
40
NE
15
ENE
20
SE
30
SSE
15
WSW
25
SW
15
SW
35
SW
50
WSW
45
WNW
35
W
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
7:55AM2.93m
8:29PM2.86m
8:33AM2.98m
8:59PM2.95m
9:08AM3.00m
9:29PM3.00m
9:42AM2.98m
9:59PM3.00m
10:16AM2.92m
10:29PM2.96m
10:50AM2.82m
11:01PM2.88m
11:25AM2.67m
11:36PM2.75m
Low Tide
2:17PM0.23m
2:31AM0.46m
2:50PM0.22m
3:06AM0.38m
3:22PM0.25m
3:39AM0.33m
3:53PM0.32m
4:11AM0.34m
4:25PM0.43m
4:45AM0.41m
4:57PM0.56m
5:20AM0.51m
5:30PM0.71m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:22
5:20
5:16
5:13
5:11
5:09
5:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:00
9:01
9:05
9:07
9:08
9:12
9:14
3
1
1
1
Temp °C
12
13
13
13
15
15
14
11
9
8
6
6
6
7
8
8
10
9
7
7
7
7
9
8
9
9
12
10
6
5
5
-3
-2
0
1
3
2
3
2
-5
-4
-4
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
W
12
1.7
WNW
16
2.5
WNW
15
2.3
WNW
14
2.2
WNW
13
1.8
WNW
13
1.6
WNW
12
1.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
1.4
WNW
10
1
WNW
10
1.1
N
10
1.1
N
10
0.8
N
9
0.7
WNW
9
0.4
N
9
0.3
N
8
0.2
N
8
0.2
N
8
0.1
N
11
Energy kJ
738
1469
2937
2197
1679
977
671
512
476
442
348
205
245
230
103
82
24
12
5
6
2
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
WNW
19
1.5
W
12
0.2
NNE
8
0.3
SE
6
0.3
SE
6
0.3
WSW
10
0.3
WSW
9
0.1
SE
6
0.1
SE
6
0.9
N
7
0.8
WNW
10
0.8
WNW
10
0.7
WNW
9
0.6
N
9
0.1
SE
4
Energy kJ
241
594
6
5
6
22
17
2
1
71
123
123
90
60
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NNE
8
0.3
NNE
8
0.7
NNW
10
0.1
NE
6
0.5
N
11
0.1
SE
5
0.1
E
5
Energy kJ
23
13
110
1
59
1
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SE
5
0.5
SE
5
0.5
SE
3
0.5
NNE
6
0.6
E
3
0.4
ESE
3
0.6
SE
3
0.5
S
4
0.9
WSW
5
1.8
W
7
3
W
9
4
WNW
12
4
WNW
12
4
WNW
11
Energy kJ
11
14
5
20
8
4
9
6
35
312
1502
4641
4258
3492
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
3
4
4
3
Distance (km)
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
37
54
21
336
97
8
45
23
45
21
47
632
713
54
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
1
2
2
1
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
5
4
4
4
3
2
3
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
8
6
5
6
7
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
7
5
4
5
4
5
5
  • 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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