Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Saturday 14 Feb 2026 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
7.3° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Feb 15) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s is also forecast. 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 7.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Feb 17) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Feb 15) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sun 15th Feb)6ft (1.9m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 17th Feb)23ft (7.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 3AM (Tue 17th Feb)23ft (7.0m) 13s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat night. Mild temperatures (max 6°C on Sun morning, min 2°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (gales from the SSE on Sat night, light winds from the SSW by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Fri afternoon, min 3°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, near gales from the WSW by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Sat
21
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
0
0
!
0
0
0
4
3
3
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
W
1.3
WSW
1
W
2.3
W
1.8
W
2
W
7
NW
5.5
NNW
4.5
N
3
N
2.5
N
2.3
N
2.5
NNW
2.4
NNW
2.2
N
1.9
N
1.3
N
1
W
0.5
WNW
1
WNW
1.6
W
Period(s) (?)12121112121512131212121212111110912222018
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)18748625615819421746153131019054012482193415191669136311227302742792638131646
Wind
(km/h)
40
S
45
SSW
25
SSW
20
WSW
45
NNW
45
NW
60
NNW
55
NNW
50
NNW
20
NNW
10
ESE
25
ESE
35
SE
35
SE
45
SSE
35
SSW
35
S
55
WSW
45
SW
65
WSW
55
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
ononononcross-
on
offoffoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:31AM
2.77
7:56PM
2.65
8:04AM
2.97
8:28PM
2.78
8:34AM
3.14
8:59PM
2.88
9:04AM
3.26
9:30PM
2.95
9:34AM
3.32
10:02PM
2.97
10:07AM
3.31
10:35PM
2.94
10:42AM
3.23
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:19AM
0.78
1:47PM
0.55
1:52AM
0.58
2:20PM
0.31
2:24AM
0.40
2:52PM
0.12
2:56AM
0.28
3:24PM
-0.02
3:29AM
0.20
3:58PM
-0.08
4:03AM
0.19
4:32PM
-0.05
4:39AM
0.25
5:08PM
0.08
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Sat
21
Sunrise-7:48--7:47--7:43--7:41--7:39--7:35--7:33-
Sunset--5:06--5:07--5:10--5:13--5:15--5:17--5:21
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
Rain (mm)
2212-23--------111631
Temp. °C566655522334455668988
Feels °C (?)-5-4-10-6-6-9-12-10-6-2-5-5-5-6-3-4-4-1-6-4
  • 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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