Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Monday 15 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 Monday (Dec 15) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 14s period. 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 6.5m 21s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Mon 15th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Best Surf 9AM (Mon 15th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 9AM (Thu 18th Dec)21ft (6.5m) 21s

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 3mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Mon morning, min 6°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the SW on Mon night, near gales from the S by Wed morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 10°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the S by Sat night).

Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
!
!
!
1
1
1
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
1
3
!
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3.5
W
3.5
W
4
W
4
W
3.5
W
3.5
W
2.4
W
2.5
W
2.5
WSW
6.5
W
6
W
5.5
W
5.5
W
5.5
W
5
W
3.5
W
2.4
W
2.3
W
3
W
4.5
W
4
WNW
Period(s) (?)141316151414131312211918171614131212131513
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)420748346967615653434458193820431961369192658117585163001526510201367816561447324780965695
Wind
(km/h)
35
SSW
30
SSW
25
SW
35
SW
40
SW
35
SW
50
S
45
S
35
SSW
40
SSW
30
SE
30
SSW
55
WSW
60
SW
40
SSW
40
SSE
45
SSE
30
SSE
30
SSE
30
SE
30
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffoffoffcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:30PM
2.48
6:08AM
2.53
6:19PM
2.55
6:47AM
2.65
7:03PM
2.63
7:24AM
2.76
7:43PM
2.70
8:00AM
2.85
8:21PM
2.75
8:35AM
2.92
8:57PM
2.75
9:10AM
2.96
9:32PM
2.71
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:32AM
1.00
11:55PM
0.76
12:20PM
0.87
12:37AM
0.72
1:01PM
0.75
1:15AM
0.67
1:39PM
0.63
1:51AM
0.61
2:15PM
0.54
2:26AM
0.57
2:51PM
0.47
3:00AM
0.54
3:28PM
0.43
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Sunrise9:00--9:02--9:03--9:03--9:03--9:04--9:06--
Sunset-3:15--3:15--3:15--3:15--3:15--3:15--3:15-
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
------1-2--32----1---
Temp. °C99888889989989910109998
Feels °C (?)121-1-2-1-3-11-11-1-4-3-1106221
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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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