
Surf Forecasts:
Birsay Bay surf forecast from 30 Jun 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, W swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 2 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 8s period, WNW swell with 1,917 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 30 Jun, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Jun 30) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. 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 4.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 02) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 02) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 30th Jun) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 2nd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Birsay Bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon night, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, near gales from the NW by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Sat morning, strong winds from the W by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mon 29 | Tuesday 30 | Wednesday 1 | Thursday 2 | Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2171 | 1018 | 494 | 362 | 224 | 140 | 113 | 109 | 1917 | 1163 | 860 | 805 | 832 | 766 | 1109 | 1087 | 920 | 614 | 515 | 1119 | 929 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:25PM2.86m | 9:49AM2.70m | 10:02PM2.93m | 10:26AM2.69m | 10:37PM2.96m | 11:02AM2.64m | 11:11PM2.96m | 11:37AM2.57m | 11:45PM2.93m | 12:14PM2.50m | 00:19AM2.86m | 12:52PM2.43m | 00:55AM2.78m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:42AM0.52m | 3:50PM0.59m | 4:19AM0.46m | 4:24PM0.56m | 4:55AM0.42m | 4:58PM0.56m | 5:32AM0.42m | 5:33PM0.59m | 6:09AM0.44m | 6:08PM0.65m | 6:46AM0.47m | 6:46PM0.74m | 7:26AM0.53m | ||||||||
— | — | 4:03 | — | — | 4:03 | — | — | 4:05 | — | — | 4:05 | — | — | 4:07 | — | — | 4:07 | — | — | 4:09 | |
— | 10:30 | — | — | 10:29 | — | — | 10:29 | — | — | 10:28 | — | — | 10:28 | — | — | 10:27 | — | — | 10:25 | 10:24 | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 |
Feels °C | 6 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | W 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 10 |
— | 1018 | 494 | 362 | 224 | 140 | 113 | 109 | — | — | — | — | — | 82 | — | — | — | — | 515 | 6 | 35 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | W 13 | WSW 12 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 29 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | — | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | — | W 8 | W 9 |
2171 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | 20 | 1917 | 1163 | 860 | 805 | 832 | 766 | 1109 | 1087 | 920 | 614 | — | 1119 | 929 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 62 | 8 | 29 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 626 | 705 | 60 | 53 | 61 | 53 | 19 | 62 | 480 | 649 | 344 | 55 | 53 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










