Bay of Skaill Surf Break

Lat Long: 59.05° N 3.34° W

Bay of Skaill Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 23 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Bay of Skaill sea temperature is
13.3°C
1.1° 

Bay of Skaill surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Bay of Skaill surf forecast from 23 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 25 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 25 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 17s period, W swell with 17,060 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 25 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s 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 Friday (Sep 25) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 5.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 25) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 29) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Fri 25th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Best Surf 1AM (Fri 25th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 7AM (Fri 25th Sep)18ft (5.5m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bay of Skaill over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Tue night, strong winds from the SSE by Thu afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Sun afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Mon afternoon).

Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
Sunday
27
Monday
28
Tuesday
29
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
3
0
0
!
!
!
!
!
3
3
1
1
2
2
4
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
W
14
2.5
W
13
2.1
W
12
1.7
WNW
11
1.5
W
10
3
W
15
5.5
W
17
5
W
16
3.5
W
14
3
W
12
2.4
W
11
1.9
W
10
1.4
W
10
1.3
W
10
1.3
W
10
2.1
W
13
1.9
W
12
1.8
W
11
1.4
W
11
1.1
W
10
0.8
W
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3187
2499
1227
685
477
4429
15891
11454
5056
2610
1465
774
379
360
346
1439
1036
828
432
233
116
Wind (km/h)
25
W
30
WNW
15
WSW
45
SSE
50
SSE
45
SW
45
SW
35
SW
30
SSW
30
SSW
20
SW
25
S
35
SSE
40
S
15
SSW
25
SSW
15
SSE
20
SE
35
SE
40
SE
40
SE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
7:36AM2.45m
7:38PM2.74m
8:10AM2.63m
8:10PM2.93m
8:40AM2.80m
8:41PM3.09m
9:09AM2.94m
9:12PM3.22m
9:39AM3.05m
9:44PM3.28m
10:09AM3.10m
10:18PM3.28m
10:42AM3.09m
10:55PM3.19m
Low Tide
1:31PM0.85m
1:59AM0.50m
2:05PM0.64m
2:30AM0.26m
2:37PM0.45m
3:01AM0.07m
3:09PM0.29m
3:33AM-0.04m
3:43PM0.19m
4:06AM-0.07m
4:18PM0.14m
4:41AM-0.01m
4:55PM0.17m
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
7:00
7:03
7:05
7:07
7:09
7:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:10
7:07
7:05
7:01
7:00
6:57
6:53
 mm
3
1
1
Temp °C
12
12
12
12
14
13
12
13
12
14
15
14
14
15
12
13
14
13
13
13
13
Feels °C
7
5
8
3
7
6
3
6
6
8
10
9
7
6
9
10
10
8
6
6
5
  • 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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