Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Sunday 05 Apr 2026 BST
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
7.4° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 (Apr 06) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Birsay Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 12) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Apr 07) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Mon 6th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Best Surf10AM (Mon 6th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sun 12th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue night, min 6°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WNW on Sun night, light winds from the S by Mon morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed afternoon, min 5°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Wed night, gales from the SW by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
!
3
2
!
!
5
4
3
0
0
0
!
0
0
0
!
0
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
4
NW
2.5
W
4.5
W
3
WNW
2.2
W
1.3
W
3
W
3
W
2.5
W
2.5
W
2.2
W
1.5
W
2.4
W
3
W
3.5
W
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3
W
3
W
2.5
W
3
W
Period(s) (?)131311111011181715141312111113141413131214
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)4386231944852432102041851635063326424751657617136919314691486038342764259920794287
Wind
(km/h)
45
WNW
50
W
50
WNW
20
WSW
25
SE
30
SE
45
SE
55
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSE
30
WSW
45
SW
45
WSW
30
SW
55
SSE
65
SW
55
SW
30
SW
20
WSW
15
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
on
cross-
on
crossoffoffoffoffoffoffcross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:12AM
2.96
11:26PM
2.88
11:45AM
2.77
11:56PM
2.72
12:20PM
2.55
12:32AM
2.54
1:03PM
2.32
1:18AM
2.35
2:05PM
2.10
2:34AM
2.20
3:48PM
1.99
4:16AM
2.18
5:25PM
2.04
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:22PM
0.43
5:39AM
0.47
5:53PM
0.65
6:13AM
0.66
6:27PM
0.88
6:53AM
0.88
7:06PM
1.09
7:44AM
1.09
7:59PM
1.27
9:01AM
1.23
9:23PM
1.37
10:51AM
1.20
11:10PM
1.31
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunrise6:28--6:26--6:24--6:20--6:18--6:15--6:11--
Sunset-8:02--8:06--8:07--8:09--8:13--8:15--8:16-
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
-11-----32-----------
Temp. °C6677677710111212877977776
Feels °C (?)-6-6-51-1-1-4-557811-2-4-10-8-7111
  • 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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