Birsay Bay Surf Break

Birsay Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 59.13° N 3.33° W

Issued: 12 am 26 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Birsay Bay sea temperature is
11.7° 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 26 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 29 Jun, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 2 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, W swell with 3,075 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 27 Jun, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Saturday (Jun 27) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Birsay Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 02) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 01) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sat 27th Jun)2.5ft (0.8m) 9s
Best Surf10AM (Mon 29th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful10PM (Thu 2nd Jul)13ft (4.0m) 10s

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 22mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the ESE by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the W by Wed afternoon).

Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
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
1
0
1
1
0
1
2
3
!
1
2
0
0
2
1
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)
1.2
W
10
1.1
W
10
0.9
W
9
0.7
W
9
0.9
W
9
1.2
W
8
1.1
W
8
1.2
W
11
2.5
W
13
3
W
12
2.5
W
12
2.2
W
11
1.8
W
10
1.6
W
10
1.4
W
9
1.3
W
9
1.3
W
9
4
W
9
3.5
W
9
3.5
W
9
3.5
W
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
277
228
132
80
127
185
157
338
2157
2466
1848
1128
635
492
332
282
282
2206
2040
2027
2559
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
15
NE
25
E
15
SSE
20
SE
20
W
10
ESE
15
SSW
35
SSW
35
WSW
25
WSW
20
SW
20
WSW
15
W
25
SE
30
SSE
45
WSW
45
W
50
WSW
45
WSW
45
SW
Wind State
on
cross
cross-off
off
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
off
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
6:56AM2.48m
7:26PM2.58m
7:46AM2.54m
8:08PM2.68m
8:30AM2.62m
8:47PM2.78m
9:11AM2.67m
9:25PM2.86m
9:49AM2.70m
10:02PM2.93m
10:26AM2.69m
10:37PM2.96m
11:02AM2.64m
11:11PM2.96m
Low Tide
1:16PM0.82m
1:44AM0.82m
2:00PM0.77m
2:26AM0.71m
2:39PM0.71m
3:04AM0.61m
3:15PM0.65m
3:42AM0.52m
3:50PM0.59m
4:19AM0.46m
4:24PM0.56m
4:55AM0.42m
4:58PM0.56m
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:00
4:00
4:01
4:01
4:03
4:03
4:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:30
10:30
10:30
10:30
10:29
10:29
10:28
 mm
1
2
6
2
2
3
2
Temp °C
12
12
12
15
16
14
13
13
14
13
14
14
12
13
13
13
12
12
12
13
12
Feels °C
10
10
8
13
13
10
12
10
8
7
9
10
8
11
10
8
4
3
3
3
2
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
W
10
1.1
W
10
0.9
W
9
0.7
W
9
0.9
W
9
1.2
W
8
0.1
NE
6
1.2
W
11
1.7
W
13
3
W
12
2.5
W
12
2.2
W
11
1.8
W
10
1.6
W
10
1.4
W
9
1.3
W
9
1.3
W
9
Energy kJ
277
228
132
80
127
185
1
338
991
2466
1848
1128
635
492
332
282
282
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
6
0.1
N
8
0.1
N
8
0.5
WNW
9
0.2
NNE
4
0.1
NE
5
0.1
SE
6
0.1
N
6
0.1
N
8
0.1
N
8
0.1
N
7
0.1
N
7
0.4
WNW
11
Energy kJ
1
1
1
47
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
43
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
6
0.3
NE
4
0.1
N
7
0.1
W
17
0.1
N
6
0.1
SE
6
Energy kJ
2
1
3
1
6
1
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
ENE
3
0.3
SSE
3
0.4
SE
3
1.1
W
8
2.5
W
13
0.3
SE
2
0.5
S
3
0.9
SSW
4
4
W
9
3.5
W
9
3.5
W
9
3.5
W
10
Energy kJ
6
1
2
157
2157
1
6
23
2206
2040
2027
2559
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
Distance (km)
126
29
56
0
0
56
0
0
55
403
55
53
53
53
0
58
230
660
634
448
480
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
3
1
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
6
6
8
7
5
5
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
  • 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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