Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Tuesday 17 Mar 2026 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
7.4° 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 (Mar 18) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s is also forecast. 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 7.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 23) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Mar 25) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 18th Mar)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Best Surf 9AM (Wed 18th Mar)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 6AM (Mon 23rd Mar)23ft (7.0m) 12s

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 10°C on Thu night, min 6°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue night, light winds from the S by Thu afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Fri night, min 4°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, near gales from the W by Mon afternoon).

Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tue
24
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
1
2
2
4
2
3
!
!
!
!
!
!
0
0
!
0
0
!
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
W
3.5
W
2.5
W
2.4
W
2.2
WNW
1.8
WNW
1.6
W
1.9
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
4.5
WNW
4.5
WNW
4
WNW
4
WNW
4
WNW
3.5
WNW
7
NW
6.5
WNW
5.5
WNW
4
WNW
3
WNW
Period(s) (?)131212141312111214151616161413121212131312
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)344635282001237414519766759054017572299391055475686912535534151234811535859849082249
Wind
(km/h)
45
SSW
40
SW
30
WSW
25
WSW
20
WSW
15
S
15
SSW
20
SSW
35
WSW
30
WSW
15
WSW
15
W
30
SSE
40
SSW
25
WNW
40
W
35
SSW
45
WSW
60
WNW
25
W
35
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrossoffcross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
crossoffcross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
crosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:00AM
3.17
8:30PM
3.00
8:32AM
3.31
9:01PM
3.10
9:06AM
3.39
9:34PM
3.15
9:42AM
3.37
10:08PM
3.12
10:22AM
3.26
10:46PM
3.02
11:06AM
3.05
11:28PM
2.86
11:58AM
2.78
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:56AM
0.38
2:21PM
-0.02
2:29AM
0.22
2:55PM
-0.16
3:04AM
0.11
3:29PM
-0.19
3:41AM
0.07
4:06PM
-0.10
4:19AM
0.11
4:44PM
0.09
5:01AM
0.24
5:27PM
0.37
5:48AM
0.44
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tue
24
Sunrise-6:22--6:18--6:16--6:13--6:09--6:07--6:05-
Sunset--6:21--6:23--6:25--6:28--6:30--6:32--6:35
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
------------1211141--
Temp. °C98887810109977888755666
Feels °C (?)1-122325512221-120-4-9-6-2-3
  • 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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