Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Tuesday 16 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
10.4° C
(Which is 1.1°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 Wednesday (Dec 17) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Birsay Bay in the next 12 days are 6.5m 20s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Wed 17th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Best Surf 6PM (Wed 17th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Most Powerful12PM (Thu 18th Dec)21ft (6.5m) 20s

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 16mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 10°C on Wed morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed night, gales from the WSW by Fri afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Fri night, min 8°C on Sat night). Mainly near gales.

Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tue
23
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
!
0
0
!
!
!
!
0
0
0
!
2
1
!
!
2
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3.5
W
2.5
W
3
W
3.5
W
6.5
W
6
W
5.5
W
5
W
5
W
5
W
3
W
2.1
W
1.7
W
3
W
3
W
2.1
W
1.5
W
1.2
W
2
NNE
1.3
N
1.3
NNE
Period(s) (?)141313122019181616151312121716141312777
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)532322782548324831978270241872211877134031045630281287833503053321884787432428183158
Wind
(km/h)
40
SSW
55
S
40
SW
35
SSW
45
SW
45
SSE
40
SW
55
SW
70
WSW
40
SW
30
SSE
30
SSE
35
SE
35
SE
35
ESE
35
E
35
E
40
E
40
ENE
35
ENE
35
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
crossoffcrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:47AM
2.65
7:03PM
2.63
7:24AM
2.76
7:43PM
2.70
8:00AM
2.85
8:21PM
2.75
8:35AM
2.92
8:57PM
2.75
9:10AM
2.96
9:32PM
2.71
9:44AM
2.97
10:08PM
2.64
10:18AM
2.95
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:37AM
0.72
1:01PM
0.75
1:15AM
0.67
1:39PM
0.63
1:51AM
0.61
2:15PM
0.54
2:26AM
0.57
2:51PM
0.47
3:00AM
0.54
3:28PM
0.43
3:34AM
0.53
4:04PM
0.42
4:08AM
0.56
4:42PM
0.44
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tue
23
Sunrise-9:03--9:03--9:04--9:06--9:06--9:07--9:07-
Sunset--3:14--3:14--3:14--3:15--3:15--3:15--3:15
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
light rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
Rain (mm)
-1312-522-------1-1-2
Temp. °C8109989889999999998889
Feels °C (?)-2-100-3-1-3-4-5-322111220-102
  • 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 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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