Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Wednesday 26 Nov 2025 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
10.8° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


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 Friday (Nov 28) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 7.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 9.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Nov 28) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Dec 01) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 28th Nov)23ft (7.0m) 15s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 28th Nov)23ft (7.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 6AM (Fri 28th Nov)30ft (9.0m) 17s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 4°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Wed night, severe gales from the SW by Thu night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 10°C on Mon night, min 5°C on Sat night). Mainly gales.

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
01
Tuesday
02
Wed
03
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
0
!
!
0
0
0
!
3
3
0
0
0
4
0
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.9
W
1.5
W
2.1
WSW
5.5
WSW
8.5
W
5.5
W
6
WNW
4.5
NNW
4
N
3
N
2.3
N
2.2
N
2.2
N
1.8
N
1.5
N
1.8
W
2.4
W
2.5
W
2.4
W
2.2
W
2.3
W
Period(s) (?)121111111717121312111111131313131413141414
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)105453695464344109817854109296290414622231210113015101041700105421222348215519412004
Wind
(km/h)
15
NE
25
SW
40
SSW
75
SSW
80
SW
65
W
50
NW
30
NNW
35
N
30
NNE
20
E
30
SE
50
SSE
70
SSE
65
SSE
10
ENE
55
W
45
S
50
SSE
40
SSW
35
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
offcross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:35AM
2.17
12:46PM
2.48
1:48AM
2.11
1:52PM
2.44
3:04AM
2.17
3:00PM
2.48
4:10AM
2.32
4:05PM
2.59
5:05AM
2.52
5:05PM
2.76
5:54AM
2.74
6:00PM
2.94
6:40AM
2.95
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:27AM
1.04
7:24PM
0.85
7:29AM
1.13
8:32PM
0.81
8:43AM
1.14
9:41PM
0.69
9:59AM
1.05
10:43PM
0.52
11:05AM
0.86
11:39PM
0.35
12:01PM
0.62
12:29AM
0.20
12:53PM
0.37
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
01
Tuesday
02
Wed
03
Sunrise-8:32--8:33--8:36--8:37--8:40--8:41--8:44-
Sunset--3:27--3:26--3:26--3:23--3:22--3:22--3:21
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
light rain
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
854-314------37102----
Temp. °C1012119987545667781089999
Feels °C (?)673-6-6-5-6-4-5-40-2-4-8-6-1-1-1-201
  • 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 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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