Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Monday 29 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 1.3°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 Thursday (Jan 01) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 7.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Birsay Bay in the next 12 days are 7.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 1st Jan)25ft (7.5m) 13s
Best Surf 6AM (Thu 1st Jan)25ft (7.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 6AM (Thu 1st Jan)25ft (7.5m) 13s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Tue night, min 3°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Mon night, gales from the NW by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 16mm) heaviest on Fri afternoon, then becoming colder with a dusting of snow on Fri night. Temperatures will be slightly above freezing (max 4°C on Fri morning, min 1°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (gales from the N on Sat morning, strong winds from the N by Sun afternoon).

Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Mon
05
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
!
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2
N
2.3
N
2.2
N
1.7
N
3
WNW
4.5
WNW
6.5
NW
7
NNW
6
NNW
5.5
NNW
4.5
N
4
N
4
N
4
N
4
N
3.5
N
3.5
N
3
N
2.2
N
1.8
N
1.6
N
Period(s) (?)1313121289121312121110101010101010111010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)131816591413827105131931153917221112877380471738673183353029542316227017481069689524
Wind
(km/h)
20
N
20
NNW
30
WNW
45
W
50
WNW
65
W
75
NW
70
NNW
65
NNW
55
NNW
55
N
50
N
60
N
65
N
60
N
55
N
45
NNW
45
N
30
N
40
NNW
50
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
onon
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:20AM
2.45
4:33PM
2.63
5:23AM
2.61
5:43PM
2.75
6:20AM
2.81
6:46PM
2.90
7:13AM
3.01
7:43PM
3.02
8:02AM
3.18
8:36PM
3.08
8:50AM
3.32
9:25PM
3.06
9:35AM
3.38
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:58PM
0.66
10:27AM
0.94
11:08PM
0.60
11:39AM
0.74
12:11AM
0.50
12:40PM
0.49
1:06AM
0.39
1:35PM
0.25
1:56AM
0.29
2:25PM
0.05
2:42AM
0.23
3:14PM
-0.07
3:26AM
0.23
4:00PM
-0.10
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Mon
05
Sunrise-9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:06--9:06--9:04-
Sunset--3:22--3:22--3:25--3:26--3:27--3:29--3:30
part cloud
clear
cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light snow
light rain
light rain
light snow
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
---1-2412123232-12213
Temp. °C546877654343442223454
Feels °C (?)-2-2-2-2-5-7-9-11-11-11-10-9-9-12-12-11-10-9-7-5-8
  • 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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