Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Monday 22 Dec 2025 GMT
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
10.0° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bay of Skaill this week:

The surf forecast for Bay of Skaill over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Dec 23) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Bay of Skaill in the next 12 days are 2.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 24) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 23) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 23rd Dec)6.5ft (2.0m) 13s
Best Surf 9PM (Tue 23rd Dec)6.5ft (2.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 3AM (Wed 24th Dec)8ft (2.4m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bay of Skaill over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Fri night, min 3°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the NNE by Fri night).

Mon
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
2
3
2
4
4
4
4
4
2
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.5
W
1.1
W
0.9
WNW
1.6
WNW
2.1
W
2.3
WNW
2.1
WNW
2.2
WNW
2.2
WNW
2.2
WNW
2
W
1.9
W
1.6
W
1.3
W
1.7
WNW
2.1
NW
2
WNW
1.6
WNW
2
NW
2.4
NNW
2.3
NNW
Period(s) (?)1211161413131313121212141312101012111088
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)6722893621016156118211423152513471316121413838394465508341041586727827654
Wind
(km/h)
40
SE
40
SSE
35
SSE
35
SSE
5
WSW
10
NNE
5
E
10
SSE
10
SSE
10
SSE
5
S
15
NW
30
NNW
35
NNE
25
NNE
25
N
15
NNE
15
WNW
25
NW
35
NW
35
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
offoffoffcrosscross-
on
glassoffoffoffoffononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:08PM
2.64
10:18AM
2.95
10:44PM
2.55
10:53AM
2.90
11:24PM
2.46
11:30AM
2.83
12:09AM
2.37
12:12PM
2.74
1:02AM
2.31
1:04PM
2.65
2:04AM
2.30
2:06PM
2.58
3:12AM
2.34
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:04PM
0.42
4:08AM
0.56
4:42PM
0.44
4:44AM
0.61
5:21PM
0.47
5:21AM
0.69
6:03PM
0.51
6:03AM
0.80
6:49PM
0.56
6:52AM
0.91
7:43PM
0.61
7:53AM
1.01
8:46PM
0.66
9:07AM
1.03
Mon
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Sunrise--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07
Sunset3:15--3:17--3:17--3:18--3:18--3:19--3:21--
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
1--------------------
Temp. °C998899877666784445568
Feels °C (?)00027674533212-3-3-10-1-21
  • 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 12 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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