Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Monday 06 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
7.5° 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 Tuesday (Apr 07) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 9s. 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 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Apr 07) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Tue 7th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 18s
Best Surf 7AM (Tue 7th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 18s
Most Powerful10PM (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 Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 6°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Fri afternoon, min 4°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Fri morning, light winds from the SSE by Sat afternoon).

Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
!
3
2
!
!
!
4
4
3
0
0
0
!
!
!
!
!
3
!
!
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
W
2.1
W
1.2
W
3.5
W
3
W
3
W
2.5
W
2.2
W
1.9
W
2.5
W
4
W
4.5
W
4
W
3.5
W
4.5
W
3.5
W
3
WNW
2.5
W
3.5
W
3
W
2.2
W
Period(s) (?)111111181715141312111514141414131212141413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2116102935775805554332226511617972178367197409585443107554459529481810428733411617
Wind
(km/h)
10
NNE
25
SE
30
SE
35
SE
50
SSE
5
W
10
SSW
5
WNW
15
SE
35
WSW
40
W
35
WSW
40
SSE
45
S
25
SSW
20
SW
5
SSE
15
SSE
20
S
20
SE
25
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
offoffoffoffcross-
on
cross-
off
glassoffcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crossoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:45AM
2.77
11:56PM
2.72
12:20PM
2.55
12:32AM
2.54
1:03PM
2.32
1:18AM
2.35
2:05PM
2.10
2:34AM
2.20
3:48PM
1.99
4:16AM
2.18
5:25PM
2.04
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:53PM
0.65
6:13AM
0.66
6:27PM
0.88
6:53AM
0.88
7:06PM
1.09
7:44AM
1.09
7:59PM
1.27
9:01AM
1.23
9:23PM
1.37
10:51AM
1.20
11:10PM
1.31
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Sunrise6:26--6:24--6:20--6:18--6:15--6:11--6:09--
Sunset-8:06--8:07--8:09--8:13--8:15--8:16--8:20-
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
--------31----3------
Temp. °C768781112910776687665677
Feels °C (?)4-11-1-38986-1-3-5-4-21030111
  • 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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