Bay of Skaill surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Tuesday 30 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
9.5° 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 (Jan 01) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 7.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Bay of Skaill in the next 12 days are 7.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 12s period and expected on Saturday (Jan 03) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 1st Jan)25ft (7.5m) 13s
Best Surf 6AM (Thu 1st Jan)25ft (7.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 6AM (Thu 1st Jan)25ft (7.5m) 13s

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 Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Tue night, min 3°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Tue afternoon, severe gales from the NW by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary A dusting of snow giving way to moderate rain (total 12mm) heaviest on Fri night. Mild temperatures (max 6°C on Mon morning, min 2°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (gales from the N on Fri afternoon, moderate winds from the NNW by Sun night).

Tue
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
!
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2
N
1.6
WNW
3
WNW
4
WNW
6.5
NW
7
NNW
6.5
NNW
5.5
NNW
5
N
4.5
N
4.5
N
4.5
N
4.5
N
3
N
2.5
N
2.3
N
1.8
N
1.5
N
1.2
N
1.5
N
1.8
N
Period(s) (?)1214791113131211111111111110101010101011
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1148994866259299491722813653750754164778429444564743206213301013612424268426727
Wind
(km/h)
30
WNW
45
W
50
WNW
60
W
75
NW
70
NNW
65
NNW
60
N
60
NNW
60
N
55
NNW
60
N
50
N
45
NNW
40
NNW
35
NNW
25
NNW
35
W
50
NNW
30
NW
20
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononononononononononononcross-
on
ononcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:33PM
2.63
5:23AM
2.61
5:43PM
2.75
6:20AM
2.81
6:46PM
2.90
7:13AM
3.01
7:43PM
3.02
8:02AM
3.18
8:36PM
3.08
8:50AM
3.32
9:25PM
3.06
9:35AM
3.38
10:12PM
2.98
10:20AM
3.35
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:08PM
0.60
11:39AM
0.74
12:11AM
0.50
12:40PM
0.49
1:06AM
0.39
1:35PM
0.25
1:56AM
0.29
2:25PM
0.05
2:42AM
0.23
3:14PM
-0.07
3:26AM
0.23
4:00PM
-0.10
4:08AM
0.28
Tue
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Sunrise--9:07--9:07--9:06--9:06--9:04--9:04--9:03
Sunset3:22--3:23--3:26--3:26--3:29--3:30--3:32--
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light snow
light rain
cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
mod rain
Rain (mm)
---242242242-3---12-8
Temp. °C788775333323323346552
Feels °C (?)-20-3-6-7-11-12-12-12-12-13-12-10-10-8-7-3-6-8-2-4
  • 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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