Birsay Bay Surf Break

Birsay Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 59.13° N 3.33° W

Issued: 12 pm 30 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Birsay Bay sea temperature is
12.5° C

1.0°C warmer than 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 30 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 3 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 4 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, W swell with 2,608 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 1 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 01) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 04) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 01) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Wed 1st Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 3rd Jul)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sat 4th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 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

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, near gales from the WNW by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sat afternoon, light winds from the SW by Sun night).

Tuesday
30
Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
Friday
3
Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
0
0
0
0
0
1
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
1
W
8
0.9
W
8
0.8
W
9
3
WNW
7
2.5
WNW
7
2.2
W
9
2.2
W
9
2.3
W
10
3.5
WSW
9
3
W
10
3
W
9
2.5
W
9
1.9
W
9
1.6
W
9
1.4
W
9
1.2
W
9
1.3
W
8
1.2
WSW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
492
362
224
138
112
106
739
724
777
770
1004
2263
1509
1360
1041
614
431
311
220
230
160
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
10
S
10
NW
5
WNW
15
ESE
20
WNW
50
WNW
40
W
35
WSW
30
WSW
35
WSW
35
SSW
45
W
50
W
40
WNW
25
W
20
W
20
S
25
SSE
35
WSW
40
WSW
Wind State
off
cross-off
on
glassy
off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
High Tide
10:02PM2.93m
10:26AM2.69m
10:37PM2.96m
11:02AM2.64m
11:11PM2.96m
11:37AM2.57m
11:45PM2.93m
12:14PM2.50m
00:19AM2.86m
12:52PM2.43m
00:55AM2.78m
1:36PM2.38m
1:38AM2.69m
Low Tide
3:50PM0.59m
4:19AM0.46m
4:24PM0.56m
4:55AM0.42m
4:58PM0.56m
5:32AM0.42m
5:33PM0.59m
6:09AM0.44m
6:08PM0.65m
6:46AM0.47m
6:46PM0.74m
7:26AM0.53m
7:29PM0.84m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:03
4:03
4:05
4:05
4:07
4:07
4:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:29
10:29
10:28
10:28
10:27
10:25
10:24
 mm
2
7
5
1
6
2
5
Temp °C
14
14
13
12
12
12
12
12
11
12
14
15
13
12
12
12
12
12
13
13
13
Feels °C
12
13
11
12
9
9
3
4
4
6
8
11
5
2
3
7
8
10
9
7
6
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
W
10
1.4
W
10
1.2
W
9
1
W
8
0.9
W
8
0.8
W
9
2.3
W
10
1.9
W
9
1.6
W
9
1.4
W
9
1.2
W
9
0.5
N
9
0.6
N
8
Energy kJ
492
362
224
138
112
106
1004
614
431
311
220
41
50
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
8
0.1
N
7
0.1
N
7
0.2
W
13
0.3
WSW
12
0.1
N
8
0.6
N
8
0.6
N
8
0.3
WSW
9
0.4
WNW
8
Energy kJ
1
1
1
14
29
1
42
41
17
23
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
7
Energy kJ
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSE
3
3
WNW
7
2.5
WNW
7
2.2
W
9
2.2
W
9
3.5
WSW
9
3
W
10
3
W
9
2.5
W
9
0.3
S
3
1.3
W
8
1.2
WSW
7
Energy kJ
2
739
724
777
770
2263
1509
1360
1041
1
230
160
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
2
1
2
3
2
2
1
1
1
Distance (km)
0
0
55
0
0
126
816
538
62
403
55
53
648
1201
639
331
344
8
8
331
331
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
2
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
3
2
2
4
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
5
8
7
5
8
5
9
5
4
5
6
9
9
9
7
6
8
7
  • 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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