Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Friday 24 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
8.1° 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 Sunday (Apr 26) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s is also forecast. 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 1.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Apr 29) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Friday (May 01) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sun 26th Apr)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 29th Apr)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Most Powerful 7AM (Wed 29th Apr)4.5ft (1.4m) 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

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun night, min 5°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, strong winds from the SSE by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 6°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the SE by Wed night).

Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
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
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
1
1
0
1
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)
0.3
N
7
0.3
NNE
11
0.3
NNE
10
1
N
6
1.1
N
7
1.5
N
10
1.3
N
10
1.3
N
11
1.2
N
11
1
N
11
0.9
N
10
0.7
N
10
0.5
N
9
0.4
W
15
0.9
W
13
1.4
W
12
1.3
W
12
1.1
W
11
0.8
WNW
14
1.1
WNW
13
1.3
WNW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
8
22
18
86
114
468
340
396
350
231
171
94
42
67
284
594
461
287
236
390
452
Wind (km/h)
5
SE
10
NW
20
NNW
20
NE
20
ENE
30
SE
35
SSE
15
SSE
10
SW
25
W
20
WNW
10
WSW
15
WSW
10
WNW
10
S
15
SSE
20
SE
25
SE
35
SE
35
SSE
40
SE
glassy
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
High Tide
3:49PM2.30m
4:01AM2.55m
5:17PM2.32m
5:20AM2.61m
6:24PM2.44m
6:23AM2.73m
7:15PM2.60m
7:13AM2.84m
7:55PM2.74m
7:55AM2.93m
8:29PM2.86m
8:33AM2.98m
8:59PM2.95m
Low Tide
9:35PM1.13m
10:44AM0.71m
11:07PM1.09m
12:01PM0.58m
00:18AM0.94m
12:57PM0.42m
1:11AM0.75m
1:40PM0.30m
1:54AM0.59m
2:17PM0.23m
2:31AM0.46m
2:50PM0.22m
3:06AM0.38m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:35
5:33
5:30
5:28
5:24
5:22
5:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:47
8:50
8:52
8:54
8:58
9:00
9:01
1
Temp °C
7
8
8
6
5
6
7
10
11
10
10
10
10
11
11
12
12
11
7
13
13
5
4
3
1
-1
-3
0
7
8
5
6
8
7
8
9
8
7
5
-1
4
3
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
N
7
0.3
NNE
11
0.3
NNE
10
1
N
6
1.1
N
7
1.5
N
10
1.3
N
10
1.3
N
11
1.2
N
11
1
N
11
0.9
N
10
0.7
N
10
0.5
N
9
0.6
N
9
0.9
W
13
1.4
W
12
1.3
W
12
1.1
W
11
0.9
W
11
1.1
WNW
13
1.3
WNW
12
Energy kJ
8
22
18
86
114
468
340
396
350
231
171
94
42
60
284
594
461
287
182
390
452
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
NW
7
0.3
N
6
0.2
WNW
6
0.5
N
8
0.3
N
13
0.1
W
12
0.1
W
11
0.1
SW
10
0.1
SE
5
0.1
W
10
0.1
W
10
0.5
W
5
0.4
W
5
0.4
W
15
0.5
N
9
0.5
N
8
0.4
NNE
8
0.4
NNE
8
0.8
WNW
14
0.8
W
11
0.2
WSW
10
Energy kJ
7
7
4
33
28
3
2
4
1
2
2
14
9
67
38
34
22
21
236
144
10
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
9
0.3
NW
6
0.2
N
7
0.1
W
14
0.2
W
13
0.1
NE
6
0.1
NW
7
0.1
NE
6
0.1
W
12
0.1
W
9
0.2
N
11
0.2
W
10
0.4
WNW
5
0.3
WNW
16
0.3
NNE
8
0.3
NNE
8
0.2
NNE
8
Energy kJ
6
6
3
4
14
1
2
1
3
2
9
8
9
51
12
12
7
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
NNW
2
0.4
NNW
3
0.2
ENE
2
0.5
SE
3
0.7
SSE
4
0.2
SSW
7
1.1
WSW
5
1
W
5
0.7
W
5
0.3
WNW
5
0.4
WNW
5
0.3
SSE
3
0.5
SE
3
0.6
SE
3
1.2
SSE
5
Energy kJ
1
3
1
5
17
5
69
53
22
5
9
1
4
9
56
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
2
3
2
3
Distance (km)
239
200
213
21
21
49
49
0
0
97
359
23
23
45
0
0
8
8
77
79
77
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
3
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
3
3
2
3
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
5
4
5
5
8
6
6
5
5
7
9
5
5
9
5
5
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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