Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Thursday 27 Nov 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
10.6° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


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 Friday (Nov 28) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 7.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 12 days are 8.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Nov 28) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Dec 04) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 28th Nov)23ft (7.0m) 15s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 28th Nov)23ft (7.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 6AM (Fri 28th Nov)28ft (8.5m) 17s

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 Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 10°C on Thu night, min 5°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (severe gales from the SW on Thu night, light winds from the NE by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Tue afternoon, min 4°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSE on Sun night, calm by Mon night).

Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
01
Tuesday
02
Wednesday
03
Thu
04
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
!
0
0
0
0
2
3
0
1
3
4
0
0
0
0
!
!
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
6
WSW
8
W
6
W
5
NW
4
NNW
3
NNW
2.3
N
1.8
N
1.7
N
1.7
N
1.4
N
1.5
W
2.5
W
3
W
3
W
3
W
3.5
W
3.5
W
3
W
1.7
W
1.2
W
Period(s) (?)111716121212111110121311141515141514131211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)7863391572071272243865271112427146037786405562643358239223056526647082570814338
Wind
(km/h)
75
SW
85
SW
70
WSW
50
NW
35
N
35
N
25
NNE
15
ENE
20
SE
55
SSE
30
SSW
20
SSW
15
SE
25
NW
45
WSW
50
SW
45
SW
45
SW
45
SSE
60
SE
65
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
crossoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offoncrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:48AM
2.11
1:52PM
2.44
3:04AM
2.17
3:00PM
2.48
4:10AM
2.32
4:05PM
2.59
5:05AM
2.52
5:05PM
2.76
5:54AM
2.74
6:00PM
2.94
6:40AM
2.95
6:53PM
3.10
7:24AM
3.12
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:29AM
1.13
8:32PM
0.81
8:43AM
1.14
9:41PM
0.69
9:59AM
1.05
10:43PM
0.52
11:05AM
0.86
11:39PM
0.35
12:01PM
0.62
12:29AM
0.20
12:53PM
0.37
1:18AM
0.11
1:42PM
0.16
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
01
Tuesday
02
Wednesday
03
Thu
04
Sunrise-8:33--8:34--8:37--8:38--8:41--8:42--8:45-
Sunset--3:27--3:26--3:25--3:23--3:22--3:22--3:21
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
Rain (mm)
12132----33--2151---1
Temp. °C1098665555778889999999
Feels °C (?)-4-7-6-7-3-4-3-1-1-5124-1-1-1-2-1-3-4-5
  • 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 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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