Birsay Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 59.13° N 3.33° W

Birsay Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 10 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Birsay Bay sea temperature is
12.6° C
0.5° 

Birsay Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Birsay Bay surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 11 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, W swell with 443 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period with W swell.

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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Birsay Bay in the next 16 days are 1.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sat 11th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Best Surf 4PM (Sat 11th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Most Powerful10PM (Fri 10th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 10s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
W
9
1.4
W
11
1.5
W
10
1.4
W
10
1.2
W
9
1
W
9
0.8
W
8
0.7
W
8
0.6
W
7
0.6
W
7
0.6
W
8
0.5
W
8
0.8
WNW
10
1.1
W
11
1
W
10
0.8
W
10
0.7
W
9
0.6
W
9
0.5
W
9
0.5
W
8
0.5
W
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
185
448
443
361
235
153
86
60
40
40
41
29
123
297
202
118
81
56
40
35
34
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
10
WNW
10
N
10
NE
10
NE
5
ENE
5
ENE
10
ENE
10
E
10
ESE
15
E
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
SE
15
SE
15
SE
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
10
ESE
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:41PM2.50m
6:03AM2.63m
6:45PM2.67m
7:12AM2.77m
7:43PM2.87m
8:14AM2.91m
8:36PM3.09m
9:10AM3.02m
9:25PM3.27m
10:02AM3.06m
10:13PM3.39m
10:51AM3.03m
10:59PM3.43m
Low Tide
11:24AM0.73m
11:57PM0.87m
12:34PM0.65m
1:07AM0.65m
1:36PM0.52m
2:06AM0.38m
2:30PM0.39m
3:00AM0.13m
3:18PM0.27m
3:51AM-0.06m
4:04PM0.21m
4:39AM-0.16m
4:48PM0.20m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:15
4:16
4:18
4:20
4:20
4:22
4:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:20
10:19
10:17
10:15
10:15
10:13
10:10
 mm
Temp °C
12
11
11
11
12
12
11
12
12
12
13
13
14
17
17
18
18
18
16
16
16
Feels °C
9
8
9
8
9
9
9
10
9
9
9
10
11
13
12
14
13
14
12
13
13
  • 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 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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