Surf Break

Lat Long: 59.13° N 3.33° W

Birsay Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 02 Nov 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Birsay Bay sea temperature is
12.0°C
1.1° 

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 2 Nov 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 11 Nov, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 13 Nov, 6PM (local time) - 21ft (6.5m), 12s period, W swell with 12,098 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 3 Nov, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Tuesday (Nov 03) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 21s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Birsay Bay in the next 16 days are 6.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Nov 13) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Nov 18) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 3rd Nov)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Best Surf12PM (Wed 11th Nov)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 6PM (Fri 13th Nov)21ft (6.5m) 12s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 10°C on Thu night, min 9°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
2
Tuesday
3
Wednesday
4
Thursday
5
Friday
6
Saturday
7
Sunday
8
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
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
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)
1.6
W
10
1.4
W
10
1.2
W
9
0.6
WNW
18
2
W
15
2.1
W
14
2
W
14
1.7
W
13
1.3
W
12
1.2
W
11
0.8
WNW
10
0.9
W
10
1.1
W
12
1.1
W
11
1
W
10
0.9
W
10
0.7
W
9
0.7
WNW
8
0.9
WNW
8
0.7
N
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
510
377
241
249
1829
1784
1608
976
472
342
131
165
339
284
206
158
81
73
96
102
Wind (km/h)
25
WNW
10
NNW
5
SE
10
S
15
SSW
5
SW
10
S
10
SSE
15
SE
15
SSE
10
SE
10
SE
10
S
5
WSW
10
N
10
NNW
20
W
30
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
High Tide
3:37AM2.31m
3:41PM2.62m
4:49AM2.43m
4:49PM2.73m
5:45AM2.59m
5:44PM2.84m
6:28AM2.75m
6:31PM2.94m
7:05AM2.89m
7:12PM3.00m
7:39AM2.99m
7:49PM3.02m
Low Tide
9:00PM0.67m
9:22AM1.08m
10:22PM0.56m
10:42AM0.95m
11:25PM0.41m
11:41AM0.77m
00:13AM0.28m
12:29PM0.59m
00:53AM0.21m
1:10PM0.44m
1:30AM0.20m
1:47PM0.34m
2:04AM0.23m
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
—
—
7:35
—
—
7:37
—
—
7:39
—
—
7:41
—
—
7:45
—
—
7:47
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:19
—
—
4:16
—
—
4:14
—
—
4:12
—
—
4:09
—
—
4:07
—
—
4:05
—
 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
11
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
9
9
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Feels °C
7
7
8
8
7
9
8
7
5
5
7
7
7
8
6
6
6
4
4
4
  • 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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