Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Wednesday 15 Apr 2026 BST
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
7.7° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Thursday (Apr 16) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Birsay Bay in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Apr 18) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Apr 15) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Thu 16th Apr)3ft (0.9m) 12s
Best Surf10PM (Sun 19th Apr)5ft (1.6m) 13s
Most Powerful10PM (Sat 18th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 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 Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Thu night, min 7°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SE on Wed morning, light winds from the SSW by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sat morning, min 5°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon night).

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
4
4
2
2
3
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.3
W
0.5
W
0.9
W
1
W
1.6
W
1.3
W
1
W
1
WSW
1.2
WSW
1.8
WSW
2.4
W
3
WNW
2.1
NW
1.8
NW
2.3
WNW
1.9
WNW
1.6
WNW
1.4
W
1.1
W
1
W
0.7
W
Period(s) (?)151412161413121111971091013121211141312
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)41962394961072600299273350512553177870558918161052658442501345137
Wind
(km/h)
60
SE
45
SE
40
SE
25
SW
15
SSW
15
SE
45
SSE
40
SSE
35
S
40
WSW
55
W
40
W
30
W
20
WNW
10
ESE
15
E
15
E
10
ESE
5
SSE
10
W
35
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offoffoffcrosscross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offglasscross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
Low Tide
/ height (m)
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Sunrise6:01--5:58--5:54--5:52--5:48--5:46--5:43--
Sunset-8:27--8:29--8:31--8:34--8:36--8:38--8:40-
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
--14--2-2------------
Temp. °C8888101191010988888766689
Feels °C (?)-4-20467-1240-40136212322
  • 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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