
Surf Forecasts:
Bay of Skaill surf forecast from 9 Oct 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 10 Oct, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 14 Oct, 4PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 14s period, W swell with 12,610 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 10 Oct, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s 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 Saturday (Oct 10) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 5.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Oct 14) at 4PM. 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 Wednesday (Oct 14) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sat 10th Oct) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sat 10th Oct) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 14th Oct) | 18ft (5.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bay of Skaill over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Sat morning, calm by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon night, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sun night, gales from the SSE by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 9 | Saturday 10 | Sunday 11 | Monday 12 | Tuesday 13 | Wednesday 14 | Thursday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | W 8 | W 12 | W 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 12 | W 11 | W 9 | W 10 | W 12 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 14 | W 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
353 | 690 | 1784 | 4206 | 6204 | 3045 | 1086 | 610 | 273 | 117 | 130 | 71 | 4717 | 2299 | 2196 | 7048 | 12610 | 6419 | 5943 | 9292 | 4559 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | off | off | off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:31AM2.96m | 8:34PM3.22m | 9:05AM3.07m | 9:11PM3.26m | 9:37AM3.12m | 9:46PM3.23m | 10:07AM3.11m | 10:20PM3.13m | 10:37AM3.05m | 10:55PM2.98m | 11:08AM2.93m | 11:30PM2.78m | 11:41AM2.77m | 00:08AM2.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:30PM0.31m | 2:55AM-0.06m | 3:07PM0.20m | 3:29AM-0.04m | 3:42PM0.16m | 4:02AM0.06m | 4:16PM0.18m | 4:34AM0.22m | 4:50PM0.28m | 5:05AM0.42m | 5:24PM0.43m | 5:38AM0.65m | 6:01PM0.63m | ||||||||
7:35 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | |
— | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 7 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | W 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 12 | SE 9 | SE 9 | W 10 | NNW 9 | N 8 | SE 9 | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 |
92 | 70 | 73 | 4206 | 6204 | 3045 | 1086 | 610 | 273 | 117 | 130 | 71 | 21 | 3 | 2196 | 15 | 6 | 42 | 96 | 167 | 196 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 15 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | — | — | NNW 8 | — | — | — | NNW 13 | — | — |
38 | 2 | 2 | 73 | 53 | 49 | 61 | 83 | 74 | 49 | 37 | 13 | — | — | 37 | — | — | — | 17 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | — | — | W 16 | W 14 | W 9 | — | — | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 5 | 16 | 14 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 8 | W 12 | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | S 4 | S 3 | SSE 6 | W 11 | W 9 | SSW 4 | W 12 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 14 | W 12 |
353 | 690 | 1784 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 21 | 5 | 188 | 4717 | 2299 | 30 | 7048 | 12610 | 6419 | 5943 | 9292 | 4559 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 210 | 1056 | 176 | 576 | 510 | 54 | 21 | 0 | 49 | 49 | 0 | 654 | 713 | 971 | 45 | 1042 | 855 | 50 | 754 | 713 | 623 |
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.










