Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Saturday 27 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
9.8° C
(Which is 1.0°C warmer than 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Dec 28) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Bay of Skaill in the next 12 days are 6.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 01) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 30) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sun 28th Dec)4ft (1.2m) 10s
Best Surf 3AM (Sun 28th Dec)4ft (1.2m) 10s
Most Powerful 3PM (Thu 1st Jan)21ft (6.5m) 13s

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 Mostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Sun night, min 3°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the N by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Tue night, min 5°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the NW on Tue morning, gales from the NNW by Wed night).

Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1
W
0.8
W
1.4
N
1.1
WNW
1.4
N
1.4
N
0.9
W
0.8
W
1.4
N
2
N
1.8
N
1.9
N
1.7
N
2.4
WNW
4.5
NW
5.5
NNW
6.5
NNW
4
NNW
2.4
N
1.8
N
2.1
NNW
Period(s) (?)1111121012111413111212121271011131211109
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)23714652821454746632021949312189731074855584379076611321147791367635718
Wind
(km/h)
30
NE
25
NNE
10
NE
15
WNW
20
NW
25
NW
30
NNE
30
NE
20
N
25
NW
40
WNW
45
WNW
45
WNW
55
WNW
65
NW
70
NNW
65
NNW
65
NNW
50
NNW
30
N
15
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononononononcross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:04PM
2.65
2:04AM
2.30
2:06PM
2.58
3:12AM
2.34
3:18PM
2.57
4:20AM
2.45
4:33PM
2.63
5:23AM
2.61
5:43PM
2.75
6:20AM
2.81
6:46PM
2.90
7:13AM
3.01
7:43PM
3.02
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:43PM
0.61
7:53AM
1.01
8:46PM
0.66
9:07AM
1.03
9:58PM
0.66
10:27AM
0.94
11:08PM
0.60
11:39AM
0.74
12:11AM
0.50
12:40PM
0.49
1:06AM
0.39
1:35PM
0.25
1:56AM
0.29
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Sunrise9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:06--
Sunset-3:19--3:21--3:22--3:22--3:23--3:26--3:26-
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
--------------321----
Temp. °C543568665578888555456
Feels °C (?)-2-1-2102-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-5-6-11-10-10-8-22
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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