
Surf Forecasts:
Bay of Skaill surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 2,766 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 9s. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bay of Skaill over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Fri night, fresh winds from the WNW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sun night, light winds from the SSW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
258 | 469 | 866 | 1056 | 1247 | 1556 | 2766 | 2002 | 1018 | 584 | 628 | 679 | 786 | 682 | 501 | 398 | 351 | 389 | 270 | 173 | 133 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 4:56PM2.28m | 5:25AM2.27m | 6:03PM2.32m | 6:35AM2.31m | 7:03PM2.43m | 7:33AM2.41m | 7:53PM2.58m | 8:20AM2.52m | 8:35PM2.74m | 8:59AM2.62m | 9:11PM2.89m | 9:35AM2.70m | 9:45PM3.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:32AM1.06m | 11:12PM1.16m | 11:49AM1.11m | 00:30AM1.10m | 12:54PM1.06m | 1:28AM0.96m | 1:43PM0.94m | 2:13AM0.80m | 2:24PM0.80m | 2:52AM0.63m | 2:59PM0.66m | 3:27AM0.47m | 3:32PM0.53m | ||||||||
4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:45 | — | — | 4:48 | — | — | 4:50 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:58 | — | — | 9:55 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:50 | — | — | 9:47 | — | — | 9:45 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | W 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | W 10 | N 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | N 9 |
13 | 7 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1018 | 584 | 628 | 679 | 416 | 682 | 173 | 398 | 351 | 389 | 270 | 173 | 41 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 9 | W 10 | W 10 | — | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | SE 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 380 | 450 | 392 | — | 288 | 48 | 103 | 72 | 45 | 31 | 19 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | ESE 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 7 | — | — | — | W 10 | — | W 9 | — | — | — | S 3 | WSW 2 | W 8 |
258 | 469 | 866 | 1056 | 1247 | 1556 | 2766 | 2002 | 186 | — | — | — | 786 | — | 501 | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 133 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 474 | 1730 | 463 | 892 | 1091 | 632 | 632 | 632 | 54 | 97 | 1091 | 49 | 472 | 54 | 23 | 43 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 21 | 21 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










