Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Sunday 29 Mar 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
7.6° 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 Monday (Mar 30) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 8.0m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Birsay Bay in the next 16 days are 8.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 30) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 04) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 30th Mar)26ft (8.0m) 16s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 30th Mar)26ft (8.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 1PM (Mon 30th Mar)28ft (8.5m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Birsay Bay over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue night, min 4°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (gales from the WNW on Mon morning, moderate winds from the N by Wed morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 6°C on Wed night, min 3°C on Wed afternoon). Mainly strong winds.

Sun
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
!
!
!
!
0
!
0
0
0
2
3
1
4
3
4
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
6
W
8
WNW
8.5
WNW
8.5
WNW
5.5
WNW
4
WNW
3.5
W
3.5
W
3
W
2.3
W
1.8
WNW
2.1
WNW
1.7
WNW
2.2
N
2.1
N
1.9
W
1.9
W
1.3
W
0.8
W
3.5
W
4
W
Period(s) (?)121617161614131212111312111112141413211816
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)10251304494004335671139575890396135332671127811511237638122211461431132460056282457619
Wind
(km/h)
60
W
60
W
60
WNW
65
WNW
35
WNW
35
WSW
40
WSW
35
SW
20
N
45
NNE
35
N
20
NE
20
E
40
ESE
25
ESE
10
NE
0
WNW
40
ESE
60
ENE
55
NNE
35
NNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncrosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
offcrossglasscross-
off
cross-
off
crosson
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:42PM
2.64
7:43AM
2.94
8:24PM
2.80
8:24AM
3.10
8:59PM
2.93
9:01AM
3.20
9:30PM
3.02
9:34AM
3.23
9:59PM
3.06
10:07AM
3.19
10:28PM
3.05
10:39AM
3.10
10:56PM
2.99
11:12AM
2.96
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:37AM
0.69
2:08PM
0.20
2:19AM
0.49
2:46PM
0.05
2:56AM
0.33
3:20PM
-0.02
3:30AM
0.24
3:52PM
-0.00
4:02AM
0.21
4:22PM
0.09
4:34AM
0.23
4:52PM
0.24
5:06AM
0.33
Sun
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunrise--6:47--6:43--6:41--6:37--6:35--6:31--6:28
Sunset7:46--7:49--7:52--7:53--7:55--7:59--8:00--
light rain
light rain
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
light rain
light rain
mod rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
Rain (mm)
24--11-248----1---43-
Temp. °C66678910116364555555466
Feels °C (?)-7-7-8-6-12241-8-4-3-3-4-211-4-10-3-3
  • 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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