Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Saturday 21 Feb 2026 GMT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Birsay Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Birsay Bay sea temperature is
7.0° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Birsay Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Birsay Bay over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Feb 23) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 2.4m and 16s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Birsay Bay in the next 12 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Feb 23) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Feb 28) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Mon 23rd Feb)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Best Surf 3AM (Mon 23rd Feb)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Most Powerful12PM (Mon 23rd Feb)11ft (3.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Birsay Bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Sat night, min 4°C on Sat afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Sat night, calm by Mon night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue night, min 5°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Tue night, calm by Wed afternoon).

Sat
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
5
2
0
0
0
!
!
!
2
2
0
0
!
3
2
2
!
0
0
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
W
2.3
W
1.9
W
3
W
3.5
W
3.5
W
3.5
W
3
W
1.9
W
2
W
3
W
2.1
W
3
WNW
2.2
WNW
1.7
WNW
2.1
WSW
3
W
3
W
2.5
W
3
W
3
W
Period(s) (?)17161514141616151313121111111381212121215
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)42032660150939534444638768773519123712582486110420031176101456027702417206124604398
Wind
(km/h)
20
SE
30
SSE
45
SW
45
WSW
40
WSW
20
SW
15
W
15
SSE
45
SSE
30
S
50
SW
30
NW
15
NW
35
SSE
30
SSW
35
SSW
40
S
45
SW
60
WNW
30
SW
45
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscross-
on
offoffcross-
off
crossononoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crossoncrosscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:10PM
2.87
11:21AM
3.07
11:51PM
2.73
12:07PM
2.84
12:40AM
2.56
1:08PM
2.58
1:47AM
2.40
2:35PM
2.37
3:21AM
2.33
4:23PM
2.33
4:57AM
2.44
5:52PM
2.47
6:09AM
2.69
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:08PM
0.08
5:18AM
0.37
5:48PM
0.30
6:01AM
0.54
6:34PM
0.57
6:54AM
0.76
7:33PM
0.86
8:08AM
0.95
8:58PM
1.07
9:54AM
0.99
10:43PM
1.07
11:31AM
0.80
12:00AM
0.89
Sat
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Sunrise--7:31--7:28--7:24--7:22--7:18--7:16--7:13
Sunset5:21--5:22--5:25--5:28--5:30--5:32--5:36--
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
181-1--121----312-1--
Temp. °C6887777789106668888676
Feels °C (?)-10-2-3-323512-1-310100-2-4-1-5
  • 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 Birsay Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Birsay Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Birsay Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Birsay Bay 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 (Birsay Bay) 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 Birsay Bay 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 Birsay Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Orkney Islands, consider staying in Kirkwall which is 26 km (16 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 58 km (36 miles) away and Wick, 79 km (49 miles) away.

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