Birsay Bay Surf Break

Birsay Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 59.13° N 3.33° W

Issued: 6 am 06 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Birsay Bay sea temperature is
12.4° C

Slightly warmer than usual

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 6 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, W swell with 465 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Monday (Jul 06) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 1.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Mon 6th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 9s
Best Surf 7PM (Mon 6th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 7PM (Thu 9th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 8s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
0.9
W
9
1
W
9
1.3
WSW
8
1.3
W
9
1.2
W
9
1.3
W
9
1.4
W
9
1.8
W
6
1.8
W
7
1.4
W
9
1.8
W
8
1.3
W
9
1
W
9
1.2
W
11
1.4
W
10
1.5
W
10
1.4
W
10
1.1
W
9
0.9
W
8
0.8
WNW
8
0.6
W
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
125
146
246
263
230
287
325
243
284
304
443
257
154
335
371
440
356
189
105
75
39
Wind (km/h)
15
E
15
ESE
10
NE
5
NE
10
S
35
WSW
30
W
35
WSW
35
WSW
15
S
20
WSW
10
WSW
10
NW
25
NNW
25
W
25
W
20
WNW
10
W
10
WSW
10
W
15
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
High Tide
1:36PM2.38m
1:38AM2.69m
2:28PM2.34m
2:30AM2.60m
3:28PM2.34m
3:35AM2.54m
4:34PM2.39m
4:49AM2.55m
5:41PM2.50m
6:03AM2.63m
6:45PM2.67m
7:12AM2.77m
7:43PM2.87m
Low Tide
7:29PM0.84m
8:12AM0.60m
8:19PM0.94m
9:06AM0.67m
9:22PM1.01m
10:11AM0.73m
10:39PM1.00m
11:24AM0.73m
11:57PM0.87m
12:34PM0.65m
1:07AM0.65m
1:36PM0.52m
2:06AM0.38m
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:09
4:11
4:11
4:13
4:15
4:16
4:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:24
10:23
10:22
10:21
10:20
10:19
10:17
 mm
2
9
8
2
4
1
Temp °C
11
11
12
11
12
13
14
16
16
16
15
16
14
11
11
11
12
12
12
13
13
Feels °C
9
10
12
9
10
9
9
10
14
13
12
15
13
7
7
7
9
10
9
10
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
W
9
1
W
9
1.3
WSW
8
1.3
W
9
1.2
W
9
0.7
N
7
0.5
N
6
0.4
N
6
0.3
N
6
1.4
W
9
0.4
NNE
10
1.3
W
9
1
W
9
1.2
W
11
1.4
W
10
1.5
W
10
1.4
W
10
1.1
W
9
0.9
W
8
0.8
WNW
8
0.6
W
7
Energy kJ
125
146
246
263
230
48
21
12
6
304
38
257
154
335
371
440
356
189
105
75
39
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
NNW
8
0.6
N
8
0.9
NNW
9
0.8
N
8
0.8
N
7
0.5
N
6
0.1
N
11
0.5
NNE
10
0.4
NNE
10
0.4
NNE
9
0.3
NNE
9
0.3
NNE
8
0.2
NNE
8
0.2
NNE
8
0.2
NNE
8
0.1
N
7
0.1
N
7
0.1
N
7
0.1
N
6
Energy kJ
67
42
138
74
68
20
2
56
32
28
15
14
6
6
6
1
1
1
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
10
0.2
W
13
Energy kJ
2
14
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ENE
3
1.3
W
9
1.4
W
9
1.8
W
6
1.8
W
7
0.3
S
3
1.8
W
8
Energy kJ
3
287
325
243
284
1
443
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
0
8
217
0
0
55
58
403
53
8
19
8
19
126
73
73
102
53
19
56
217
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
8
7
5
6
5
8
5
5
5
5
5
9
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 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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