Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Thursday 09 Apr 2026 BST
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
7.6° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 10) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Birsay Bay in the next 16 days are 4.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 10) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 11) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Fri 10th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 15s
Best Surf 4PM (Fri 10th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 7AM (Fri 10th Apr)15ft (4.5m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Birsay Bay over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Fri night. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Thu afternoon, min 5°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Fri afternoon, gales from the SSE by Fri night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Mon afternoon, near gales from the SSE by Tue night).

Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
!
0
1
3
1
0
1
0
1
3
2
1
1
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
W
2.5
W
4
W
4.5
W
4
WNW
3
WNW
1.8
WNW
2.4
W
2.1
W
1.3
W
1.7
W
2.5
SW
1.5
W
1.7
W
1.4
W
1.1
W
1.2
W
1
W
0.7
W
0.6
W
1
WSW
Period(s) (?)1112151515141316141514912111099991212
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1603197668858486702634001162300617487431159109459464636919622916271103288
Wind
(km/h)
25
WSW
35
WSW
35
WNW
25
W
10
ESE
55
SE
50
SSE
25
S
55
SSE
50
SE
50
SE
40
SW
25
SW
10
SSW
20
SE
20
SSE
30
SE
45
SE
50
SSE
20
S
30
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
offoffoffcross-
off
offoffoffcrosscross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:05PM
2.10
2:34AM
2.20
3:48PM
1.99
4:16AM
2.18
5:25PM
2.04
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:59PM
1.27
9:01AM
1.23
9:23PM
1.37
10:51AM
1.20
11:10PM
1.31
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Sunrise6:18--6:15--6:11--6:09--6:05--6:03--6:01--
Sunset-8:13--8:15--8:16--8:20--8:22--8:24--8:27-
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
4-2--452---3-----2141
Temp. °C677666667777787778899
Feels °C (?)0-1-1-22-6-5-3-2-4-4315220-4-344
  • 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 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 16 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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