Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Friday 29 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
9.7° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Bay of Skaill surf forecast from 29 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 5 Jun, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 4 Jun, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period, W swell with 2,002 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 30 May, 1PM (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 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 2.1m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jun 04) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Sat 30th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 7s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 5th Jun)5.5ft (1.7m) 14s
Most Powerful 4PM (Thu 4th Jun)7ft (2.1m) 15s

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

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed night).

Fri
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
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)
0
0
0
1
2
2
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
3
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
WSW
6
2
W
7
1.3
W
7
0.8
W
7
0.9
N
9
0.9
W
12
0.8
W
12
0.8
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
11
0.7
WSW
11
0.6
W
11
0.5
W
10
0.4
WSW
10
0.5
N
8
0.4
W
15
0.7
W
13
0.7
W
12
1.8
W
15
2.1
W
15
1.8
W
14
1.6
W
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
161
366
149
65
137
216
174
202
173
130
83
50
34
33
67
176
146
1396
2002
1214
852
Wind (km/h)
40
SW
40
W
25
WSW
15
SE
15
SSE
5
WNW
10
WSW
10
WSW
15
WSW
5
S
20
ESE
20
ESE
20
ESE
20
SE
30
SE
25
SE
25
WSW
25
WSW
20
SW
30
S
30
SE
cross-off
cross
cross
off
off
glassy
cross
cross
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
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
11:53AM2.49m
00:04AM2.74m
12:35PM2.35m
Low Tide
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
5:47AM0.59m
5:51PM0.76m
6:29AM0.67m
light rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
mod rain
light rain
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
clear
cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:15
4:13
4:11
4:09
4:09
4:07
4:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:05
10:07
10:08
10:10
10:12
10:14
10:15
10:16
1
1
10
1
1
3
1
Temp °C
12
11
12
13
11
11
12
12
11
12
12
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
12
11
11
5
3
9
9
10
10
10
10
8
11
8
7
7
7
6
7
4
7
7
5
5
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
WNW
9
0.1
W
18
1.3
W
7
0.8
W
7
0.9
N
9
0.9
N
10
0.9
N
9
0.8
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
11
0.7
WSW
11
0.6
W
11
0.5
N
8
0.5
N
8
0.5
N
8
0.4
NNE
8
0.7
W
13
0.7
W
12
1.8
W
15
2.1
W
15
1.8
W
14
1.6
W
13
Energy kJ
44
7
149
65
137
149
134
202
173
130
83
33
34
33
20
176
146
1396
2002
1214
852
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SE
6
0.1
SE
7
0.2
WSW
11
0.5
N
8
0.7
W
7
0.9
W
12
0.8
W
12
0.7
N
9
0.5
N
8
0.4
N
8
0.4
N
7
0.5
W
10
0.4
WSW
10
0.4
WSW
9
0.4
W
15
0.4
NNE
8
0.3
NNE
7
0.3
NNE
7
0.3
NNE
7
0.2
NNE
7
0.2
NNE
7
Energy kJ
2
2
11
32
54
216
174
74
32
18
17
50
32
28
67
19
11
9
9
5
5
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
6
0.2
N
8
0.3
WNW
7
0.4
WSW
10
0.3
N
10
0.1
SE
4
0.1
SE
4
0.2
W
7
0.2
W
3
0.1
N
10
0.1
W
17
0.4
WSW
9
0.2
W
19
0.2
N
7
Energy kJ
1
5
10
31
18
1
1
3
1
2
6
28
29
4
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
WSW
6
2
W
7
0.4
W
4
0.5
SE
3
0.5
SE
3
0.5
W
4
0.4
SE
8
Energy kJ
161
366
4
4
5
8
14
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
4
3
3
Distance (km)
632
351
45
0
0
0
21
23
23
0
48
70
8
0
50
8
45
47
23
45
77
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
4
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
4
5
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
7
7
6
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
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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