Birsay Bay Surf Break

Birsay Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 59.13° N 3.33° W

Issued: 12 am 21 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Birsay Bay sea temperature is
11.3° C

Normal for this time of year

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 21 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 22 Jun, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 21 Jun, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, W swell with 458 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 22 Jun, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s 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 (Jun 22) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 16 days are 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jun 21) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jun 26) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 22nd Jun)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 22nd Jun)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Most Powerful10AM (Sun 21st Jun)6ft (1.9m) 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

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat night, light winds from the ESE by Mon morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
2
2
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
W
8
1.7
W
8
1.3
W
8
1
W
7
0.8
NNW
9
0.7
NNW
8
0.6
N
8
1.5
W
7
1.3
WSW
6
0.8
W
6
0.8
W
5
0.7
W
5
0.4
W
10
0.9
W
9
1.2
W
11
1.1
W
10
1.2
W
10
1.3
W
9
1.3
W
9
0.8
W
8
0.8
W
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
458
386
196
112
110
73
44
196
139
43
34
29
29
129
319
242
279
282
270
92
90
Wind (km/h)
35
WSW
20
WSW
10
SSW
10
SE
10
ESE
10
W
15
SW
40
WSW
25
WSW
10
SW
5
SSW
10
W
5
E
15
ENE
15
ESE
30
ESE
20
SE
10
SE
35
SSE
10
SW
25
SE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross
off
High Tide
2:48PM2.44m
2:52AM2.76m
3:50PM2.37m
3:55AM2.60m
4:50PM2.36m
4:58AM2.50m
5:48PM2.40m
6:00AM2.46m
6:39PM2.48m
6:56AM2.48m
7:26PM2.58m
7:46AM2.54m
8:08PM2.68m
Low Tide
8:23AM0.40m
8:29PM0.87m
9:23AM0.58m
9:35PM0.99m
10:27AM0.71m
10:48PM1.04m
11:30AM0.80m
11:58PM1.01m
12:27PM0.83m
00:56AM0.93m
1:16PM0.82m
1:44AM0.82m
2:00PM0.77m
2:26AM0.71m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
3:58
3:58
3:59
3:59
3:59
4:00
4:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:30
10:30
10:30
10:30
10:30
10:30
10:30
 mm
1
1
9
10
1
2
1
3
Temp °C
12
13
13
12
15
16
15
14
13
14
14
14
13
14
15
13
13
15
14
14
14
Feels °C
5
8
10
10
11
13
12
7
9
14
14
13
12
12
14
9
10
15
9
13
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
10
1.7
W
8
1.3
W
8
1
W
7
0.8
NNW
9
0.7
NNW
8
0.6
N
8
0.5
N
8
0.4
N
7
0.8
W
6
0.3
N
7
0.2
N
6
0.5
W
6
0.9
W
9
1.2
W
11
1.1
W
10
0.1
NE
6
1.3
W
9
1.3
W
9
0.8
NW
7
0.8
W
8
Energy kJ
2
386
196
112
110
73
44
29
16
43
8
3
15
129
319
242
1
282
270
63
90
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
N
11
0.3
N
10
0.7
NNW
10
0.8
W
7
0.6
W
7
0.1
W
10
0.3
N
7
0.2
W
8
0.2
W
8
0.4
W
10
0.2
N
6
0.1
N
6
0.1
N
6
0.1
NE
8
0.2
N
6
0.1
NE
8
0.8
W
8
0.7
NNW
6
Energy kJ
9
18
98
66
34
2
8
5
5
29
3
1
1
3
2
2
92
44
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
12
0.1
W
11
0.1
W
11
0.1
W
10
0.3
W
8
0.2
W
12
0.2
W
10
0.2
N
6
0.1
N
6
0.1
N
7
0.1
N
6
0.1
NE
8
0.1
N
5
0.4
WSW
5
0.1
W
17
Energy kJ
3
2
2
2
13
11
8
3
1
1
1
3
1
10
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
W
8
0.7
W
6
1.5
W
7
1.3
WSW
6
0.8
W
5
0.7
W
5
0.6
ESE
3
0.9
SSE
4
1.2
W
10
1
W
9
0.4
SE
2
Energy kJ
458
39
196
139
34
29
7
25
279
159
1
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
Distance (km)
334
62
0
0
0
19
8
340
55
626
0
234
218
29
0
56
0
0
72
8
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
7
7
5
6
6
5
6
8
8
6
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
7
5
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 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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