Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Tuesday 16 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 1.1°C warmer than 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 Tuesday (Dec 16) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. 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 6.5m 20s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Tue 16th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Best Surf 6PM (Tue 16th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 9AM (Thu 18th Dec)21ft (6.5m) 20s

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 Wed morning. Very mild (max 10°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSE on Wed morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Thu night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (gales from the WSW on Fri morning, light winds from the SE by Sun night).

Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
!
0
!
!
!
!
!
0
!
!
!
1
2
!
!
4
4
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
4
W
3.5
W
3.5
W
2.5
W
3
W
3
W
6.5
W
6
W
5.5
W
5
W
6
W
4.5
W
3
W
2.1
W
1.9
W
3.5
W
3.5
W
2.5
W
1.8
W
1.5
W
1.2
W
Period(s) (?)151414131312201918161615131212161614131211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)678356485323231329432868346032702417693128651717987142877128710317179544325781104638344
Wind
(km/h)
40
SW
40
SW
40
SSW
60
SSE
40
SW
35
SSW
35
SSW
55
SSE
45
WSW
60
SW
60
WSW
35
SSW
40
SSE
40
SSE
35
SSE
35
SE
30
ESE
20
SE
25
SE
30
ESE
35
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
on
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffoffoffoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:19PM
2.55
6:47AM
2.65
7:03PM
2.63
7:24AM
2.76
7:43PM
2.70
8:00AM
2.85
8:21PM
2.75
8:35AM
2.92
8:57PM
2.75
9:10AM
2.96
9:32PM
2.71
9:44AM
2.97
10:08PM
2.64
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:20PM
0.87
12:37AM
0.72
1:01PM
0.75
1:15AM
0.67
1:39PM
0.63
1:51AM
0.61
2:15PM
0.54
2:26AM
0.57
2:51PM
0.47
3:00AM
0.54
3:28PM
0.43
3:34AM
0.53
4:04PM
0.42
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Sunrise9:02--9:03--9:03--9:04--9:06--9:06--9:07--
Sunset-3:14--3:14--3:14--3:14--3:15--3:15--3:15-
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---2-1--3222---------
Temp. °C8889109899989999888999
Feels °C (?)-1-1-2-111-1-2-3-4-5-1001012331
  • 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 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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