Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Thursday 04 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
10.6° 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 Friday (Dec 05) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Birsay Bay in the next 12 days are 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 05) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Dec 10) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 5th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 17s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 5th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 17s
Most Powerful 3AM (Fri 5th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 17s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 10°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (gales from the SE on Fri night, moderate winds from the ESE by Sun morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 10°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Sun night, strong winds from the SE by Tue afternoon).

Friday
05
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thu
11
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
3
0
0
0
1
2
1
2
0
2
4
3
2
0
0
0
0
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3.5
W
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
1.6
W
0.9
W
0.9
W
2
W
1.8
W
1.5
W
1.2
W
1
W
1.4
WNW
2.5
W
2.5
W
2.4
W
2.2
W
1.6
W
1.4
W
4.5
WNW
1.7
W
1.8
W
Period(s) (?)17161513121916151413122017161615131391313
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)6450434725819152395872109139688149530514223927315730062055905643297810061021
Wind
(km/h)
40
SE
40
SE
35
SSE
65
SE
60
ESE
50
ESE
35
E
25
ESE
35
ESE
30
SSE
10
W
20
WSW
20
S
40
SE
50
SE
25
WSW
20
W
25
W
40
WSW
20
S
30
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offoffoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
on
crosscross-
off
offoffcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:09AM
3.25
8:36PM
3.22
8:55AM
3.30
9:28PM
3.14
9:42AM
3.29
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
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:05AM
0.09
2:30PM
0.01
2:51AM
0.13
3:19PM
-0.05
3:36AM
0.22
4:08PM
-0.02
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
Friday
05
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thu
11
Sunrise-8:47--8:48--8:49--8:52--8:53--8:55--8:56-
Sunset--3:18--3:18--3:17--3:17--3:15--3:15--3:15
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
--1311---11---36------
Temp. °C999989910109109991010101010910
Feels °C (?)002-4-5-1243164405764243
  • 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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