Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Thursday 25 Dec 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
10.1° C
(Which is 1.2°C warmer than 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 Friday (Dec 26) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Birsay Bay in the next 12 days are 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Dec 30) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jan 02) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Fri 26th Dec)6.5ft (2.0m) 12s
Best Surf 6AM (Fri 26th Dec)6.5ft (2.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 9PM (Tue 30th Dec)8ft (2.5m) 12s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Fri night, min 3°C on Sat afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Fri night, calm by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Sun night, min 3°C on Wed afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Mon night, strong winds from the N by Wed afternoon).

Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thu
01
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
2
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.1
W
1.8
W
1.6
W
1.3
W
1.1
W
0.9
W
1.7
N
1.4
N
1.4
N
1.8
NNW
1.3
N
0.9
W
1.5
N
1.7
N
1.6
N
2.4
N
2.3
N
2.2
N
2.2
N
1.8
N
1.6
N
Period(s) (?)12121212111111912111213101413121111111112
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)133598073546128918873332057269247228142310638221575124211691116849736
Wind
(km/h)
25
SE
20
SSE
10
SW
15
NNE
35
NE
30
NNE
5
ENE
10
NW
20
WNW
30
NW
25
N
30
N
20
NW
30
NNW
40
NW
25
N
35
NNW
45
N
30
NNW
30
W
45
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
crosscross-
on
crosscrosscross-
off
oncross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
onononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:09AM
2.37
12:12PM
2.74
1:02AM
2.31
1:04PM
2.65
2:04AM
2.30
2:06PM
2.58
3:12AM
2.34
3:18PM
2.57
4:20AM
2.45
4:33PM
2.63
5:23AM
2.61
5:43PM
2.75
6:20AM
2.81
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:03AM
0.80
6:49PM
0.56
6:52AM
0.91
7:43PM
0.61
7:53AM
1.01
8:46PM
0.66
9:07AM
1.03
9:58PM
0.66
10:27AM
0.94
11:08PM
0.60
11:39AM
0.74
12:11AM
0.50
12:40PM
0.49
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thu
01
Sunrise-9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07-
Sunset--3:18--3:18--3:19--3:21--3:22--3:22--3:25
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
--------------1----21
Temp. °C555744345886777654577
Feels °C (?)0021-4-3-21-111-1-1-2-2-1-5-7-2-3-3
  • 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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