
Surf Forecasts:
Bay of Skaill surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, W swell with 297 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 7s 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 1.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 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 0.4m 2s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bay of Skaill over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the NNE by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
60 | 40 | 50 | 45 | 62 | 123 | 297 | 161 | 89 | 58 | 40 | 26 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 36 | 45 | 35 | 48 | 81 | 60 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:43PM2.87m | 8:14AM2.91m | 8:36PM3.09m | 9:10AM3.02m | 9:25PM3.27m | 10:02AM3.06m | 10:13PM3.39m | 10:51AM3.03m | 10:59PM3.43m | 11:38AM2.95m | 11:44PM3.37m | 12:24PM2.82m | 00:30AM3.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:06AM0.38m | 2:30PM0.39m | 3:00AM0.13m | 3:18PM0.27m | 3:51AM-0.06m | 4:04PM0.21m | 4:39AM-0.16m | 4:48PM0.20m | 5:25AM-0.16m | 5:31PM0.27m | 6:10AM-0.05m | 6:15PM0.39m | 6:55AM0.14m | ||||||||
— | — | 4:20 | — | — | 4:22 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:26 | — | — | 4:28 | — | — | 4:28 | — | — | 4:31 | |
— | 10:16 | — | — | 10:15 | — | — | 10:14 | — | — | 10:12 | — | — | 10:10 | — | — | 10:08 | — | — | 10:07 | 10:06 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
60 | 40 | 50 | 45 | 62 | 123 | 297 | 161 | 89 | 58 | 40 | 26 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 36 | 45 | 35 | 48 | 81 | 54 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | WNW 9 | W 21 | W 15 | WNW 14 | W 12 | W 19 | W 18 | W 18 | W 18 | — | W 16 | W 16 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | WNW 15 | WNW 13 |
4 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 18 | 106 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | 5 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 59 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 21 | — | W 20 | W 19 | — | W 18 | W 18 | — | W 16 | — | N 10 | — | — | WNW 11 | — | E 7 | E 6 | N 7 | — |
— | — | 9 | — | 7 | 7 | — | 6 | 6 | — | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | 12 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 2 | — | SE 3 | SE 3 | ESE 2 | ESE 2 | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | N 4 | N 6 |
1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 13 | 60 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 199 | 0 | 199 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 8 | 8 | 113 | 8 | 337 | 239 | 337 | 214 | 889 | 21 | 829 | 97 | 21 | 43 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











