Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Sunday 07 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 slightly warmer than usual)


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 Monday (Dec 08) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period. 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 7.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 11) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 09) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Mon 8th Dec)3.5ft (1.1m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Wed 10th Dec)21ft (6.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 3AM (Thu 11th Dec)25ft (7.5m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Birsay Bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Sun night, severe gales from the WSW by Wed afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed night, min 7°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (severe gales from the WSW on Wed night, light winds from the SE by Fri morning).

Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sun
14
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
3
4
1
0
0
!
0
!
0
!
2
!
!
!
0
!
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
W
1
W
1.4
WNW
2.5
W
2.3
W
1.8
W
4
WSW
6
W
6
W
7.5
W
4.5
W
3
W
2.3
WNW
3.5
W
3.5
W
3
W
2.4
W
3
W
2.3
W
4.5
WSW
4.5
WSW
Period(s) (?)131220171615101413131413181616151515131111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)4953051436415425621373353614170122161935285513028312761525409422724574804178045694496
Wind
(km/h)
20
S
15
S
15
SW
15
S
45
SE
75
ESE
60
SSW
60
SSW
75
WSW
80
WSW
40
SW
20
SSE
40
S
15
SSW
25
SSE
35
S
50
SSW
40
SSW
50
S
50
S
60
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
crossoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:20PM
2.99
10:31AM
3.22
11:15PM
2.78
11:23AM
3.09
12:14AM
2.57
12:19PM
2.92
1:17AM
2.39
1:20PM
2.74
2:24AM
2.28
2:25PM
2.59
3:30AM
2.26
3:31PM
2.49
4:31AM
2.32
4:34PM
2.46
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:22AM
0.37
4:59PM
0.09
5:09AM
0.54
5:53PM
0.26
5:59AM
0.73
6:51PM
0.45
6:55AM
0.92
7:54PM
0.61
8:00AM
1.06
9:02PM
0.72
9:16AM
1.13
10:09PM
0.78
10:31AM
1.09
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sun
14
Sunrise-8:52--8:53--8:55--8:56--8:57--8:59--9:00-
Sunset--3:17--3:15--3:15--3:15--3:15--3:14--3:14
heavy rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
12---1111-6-------1-2--
Temp. °C9910101011119101111101010101099111110
Feels °C (?)25640-1-1-4-7-5252643-2-120-3
  • 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 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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