Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Tuesday 28 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 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Apr 29) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Apr 30) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 29th Apr)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Best Surf 4PM (Tue 5th May)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Most Powerful10PM (Wed 29th Apr)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Thu afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Fri morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 10°C on Mon morning, min 5°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the NNE by Sat afternoon).

Tue
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
1
Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
0
0
0
3
2
1
0
0
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>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
W
15
1.2
W
13
1.6
W
12
1.7
WNW
16
2.5
WNW
15
2.3
WNW
14
2.1
WNW
13
1.8
WNW
13
1.7
WNW
12
1.6
WNW
11
1.4
WNW
11
1.4
WNW
10
1.4
WNW
10
1.5
N
8
1.3
N
10
1
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
10
1.7
W
6
2.5
W
9
3.5
WNW
10
3
WNW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
67
495
738
1469
2937
2197
1581
1009
767
603
423
388
358
272
306
205
163
191
955
2276
2128
Wind (km/h)
20
SE
15
SSE
10
SSE
15
SE
20
SE
20
SSE
30
SSE
10
WSW
5
WSW
15
W
5
NW
15
NNW
45
NNE
25
NE
5
E
20
SE
25
SW
40
SSW
45
SW
55
WSW
35
WNW
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross
cross
cross
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
High Tide
7:55PM2.74m
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
Low Tide
1:54AM0.59m
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
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
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>
8:58
9:00
9:01
9:05
9:07
9:08
9:12
9:14
5
1
Temp °C
10
11
12
13
13
13
13
12
11
9
9
9
6
6
5
6
8
10
9
7
6
5
6
8
9
7
6
6
5
8
6
7
5
-4
-2
1
0
0
1
-1
-5
-3
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
N
9
1.2
W
13
1.6
W
12
1.7
WNW
16
2.5
WNW
15
2.3
WNW
14
2.1
WNW
13
1.8
WNW
13
1.7
WNW
12
1.6
WNW
11
1.4
WNW
11
1.4
WNW
10
1.4
WNW
10
1.5
N
8
1.3
N
10
1.1
N
9
0.9
WNW
10
0.5
N
9
0.4
N
9
0.2
N
9
3
WNW
12
Energy kJ
59
495
738
1469
2937
2197
1581
1009
767
603
423
388
358
272
306
198
163
41
27
6
2128
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
W
15
0.5
N
9
0.6
WNW
19
1.5
W
12
0.3
NE
8
0.4
SE
6
0.1
SE
7
0.2
WSW
10
0.1
SW
10
0.2
ESE
6
0.1
SE
6
1
WNW
10
1
WNW
10
1
WNW
10
0.8
N
9
0.5
W
9
0.2
N
9
1.6
NW
12
Energy kJ
67
39
241
594
10
9
2
10
4
4
2
197
201
205
106
41
6
760
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WSW
5
0.4
NNE
8
0.3
NNE
8
0.1
SE
6
0.2
E
5
0.2
ENE
6
0.1
E
6
0.6
NW
9
0.2
N
8
Energy kJ
5
23
13
1
2
3
1
46
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SE
4
0.6
SE
5
0.6
SE
5
0.8
SSE
4
1.3
N
5
0.6
NE
4
0.3
SE
2
0.5
S
4
1.7
W
6
2.5
W
9
3.5
WNW
10
Energy kJ
2
15
18
15
97
11
1
7
191
955
2276
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
1
2
2
1
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
0
0
0
0
0
0
51
23
21
43
0
21
336
21
0
0
45
47
458
523
1004
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
4
4
4
4
3
3
1
2
2
3
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
4
4
5
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
8
8
6
5
6
6
7
5
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
7
5
4
4
4
  • 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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