Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Monday 23 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
7.6° 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 Tuesday (Mar 24) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 7.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Bay of Skaill in the next 16 days are 7.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Mar 28) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Mar 26) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Tue 24th Mar)25ft (7.5m) 13s
Best Surf 6AM (Tue 24th Mar)25ft (7.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sat 28th Mar)23ft (7.0m) 17s

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 Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 10°C on Mon night, min 3°C on Wed afternoon). Winds decreasing (stormy winds from the SW on Mon night, light winds from the WNW by Thu morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Thu night, min 2°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Thu afternoon, gales from the NW by Sat morning).

Mon
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
!
0
!
!
0
0
0
0
0
!
0
0
!
!
!
0
0
!
0
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3.5
WNW
4.5
W
8
W
7
WNW
5
WNW
4.5
NW
5.5
NNW
6
NW
3.5
N
3
N
2.3
W
4.5
WNW
6.5
WNW
7
WNW
7
WNW
6
WNW
5
WNW
3
W
4.5
W
6.5
WNW
6
WNW
Period(s) (?)131215161412121312121112171716151312101516
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)434158022826423296912657107711116113514236012655653233862757024473143538196252539681793918801
Wind
(km/h)
40
SSE
80
SW
75
WSW
55
W
50
WNW
45
NNW
60
NNW
55
NW
30
NNW
15
SSW
45
WNW
40
WSW
45
WSW
45
WSW
60
WSW
65
NW
50
NW
45
SSW
70
WSW
65
W
70
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
ononononcross-
off
cross-
on
crosscrosscrosscrossoncross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:28PM
2.86
11:58AM
2.78
12:21AM
2.65
1:07PM
2.48
1:34AM
2.45
2:46PM
2.29
3:14AM
2.39
4:32PM
2.30
4:47AM
2.52
5:49PM
2.45
5:53AM
2.73
6:42PM
2.64
6:43AM
2.94
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:27PM
0.37
5:48AM
0.44
6:15PM
0.68
6:47AM
0.68
7:18PM
0.98
8:08AM
0.88
8:49PM
1.17
9:57AM
0.89
10:33PM
1.12
11:25AM
0.68
11:46PM
0.92
12:24PM
0.42
12:37AM
0.69
Mon
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Sunrise--6:05--6:01--5:58--5:56--5:52--5:50--5:47
Sunset6:32--6:35--6:37--6:39--6:42--6:45--6:46--
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
51----13--32212117542
Temp. °C6107665444386665667975
Feels °C (?)-4-7-9-6-4-6-10-10-2-2-2-4-4-5-8-6-6-6-5-7-11
  • 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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