Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Wednesday 10 Dec 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
10.2° 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 Thursday (Dec 11) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s is also forecast. 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 14.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Dec 14) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Dec 13) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 11th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 11s
Best Surf 6AM (Thu 11th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sun 14th Dec)46ft (14.0m) 19s

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 11°C on Wed night, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (severe gales from the WSW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the S by Thu night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon afternoon). Mainly stormy winds.

Wed
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
!
0
!
2
!
!
!
!
!
!
0
!
!
0
!
0
0
!
!
!
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
7
W
5.5
W
3.5
W
2.5
W
3.5
W
4
W
4.5
W
4
W
4.5
W
3.5
W
6
W
12
W
6
W
5.5
W
6.5
W
4
W
3
W
4
W
4.5
W
4
W
2.5
W
Period(s) (?)131314131716181716161318161414121416151413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1665797314522250465377858119119325956162751253683463179351219317747437829617334768261542345
Wind
(km/h)
85
WSW
60
WSW
30
S
30
SSW
20
W
20
S
30
S
35
SSW
45
S
55
SSE
80
SW
80
WSW
40
SSE
80
SW
65
SW
45
SSW
60
SW
45
SSW
40
SSW
40
SW
40
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrossoffcross-
off
cross-
on
offcross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
crossoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:17AM
2.39
1:20PM
2.74
2:24AM
2.28
2:25PM
2.59
3:30AM
2.26
3:31PM
2.49
4:31AM
2.32
4:34PM
2.46
5:23AM
2.42
5:30PM
2.48
6:08AM
2.53
6:19PM
2.55
6:47AM
2.65
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:51PM
0.45
6:55AM
0.92
7:54PM
0.61
8:00AM
1.06
9:02PM
0.72
9:16AM
1.13
10:09PM
0.78
10:31AM
1.09
11:07PM
0.78
11:32AM
1.00
11:55PM
0.76
12:20PM
0.87
12:37AM
0.72
Wed
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Sunrise--8:56--8:56--8:57--9:00--9:00--9:02--9:03
Sunset3:15--3:15--3:15--3:15--3:15--3:15--3:15--
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
light rain
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
Rain (mm)
22--5----42--1----11-
Temp. °C1011111110999910101011109898887
Feels °C (?)-7-435740-1-1-1-611-4-3-2-4-2-2-1-2
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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