Birsay Bay Surf Break

Birsay Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 59.13° N 3.33° W

Issued: 6 am 23 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Birsay Bay sea temperature is
11.5° C

Normal for this time of year

Birsay Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Birsay Bay surf forecast from 23 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 30 Jun, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 29 Jun, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, W swell with 3,319 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 25 Jun, 10AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with W swell.

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 (Jun 25) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jun 29) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jun 27) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Thu 25th Jun)4ft (1.2m) 8s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 30th Jun)7ft (2.1m) 10s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 29th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Tue afternoon, light winds from the S by Thu morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, near gales from the WSW by Sun night).

Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
N
8
0.5
N
8
1.5
W
6
1.4
W
7
1.2
W
7
1.2
W
7
1.2
W
8
1.2
W
9
1.2
W
11
1.1
W
10
1
W
10
0.8
W
9
0.7
W
9
0.8
W
9
1
W
9
1
W
8
0.9
W
8
2.4
WSW
10
3
W
13
3
W
12
2.1
W
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
43
29
187
181
126
135
172
214
317
234
190
111
81
103
146
111
100
1282
3319
2334
867
Wind (km/h)
15
SSE
35
WSW
30
WSW
25
WSW
25
WSW
20
W
5
S
15
ESE
10
NNE
15
NNE
15
ENE
25
E
20
SSE
10
E
20
W
20
WSW
5
NW
50
WSW
50
WSW
35
W
15
S
Wind State
off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
4:50PM2.36m
4:58AM2.50m
5:48PM2.40m
6:00AM2.46m
6:39PM2.48m
6:56AM2.48m
7:26PM2.58m
7:46AM2.54m
8:08PM2.68m
8:30AM2.62m
8:47PM2.78m
9:11AM2.67m
9:25PM2.86m
Low Tide
10:27AM0.71m
10:48PM1.04m
11:30AM0.80m
11:58PM1.01m
12:27PM0.83m
00:56AM0.93m
1:16PM0.82m
1:44AM0.82m
2:00PM0.77m
2:26AM0.71m
2:39PM0.71m
3:04AM0.61m
3:15PM0.65m
3:42AM0.52m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
rain showers
cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
3:59
3:59
3:59
4:00
4:00
4:01
4:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:30
10:30
10:30
10:30
10:30
10:30
10:30
 mm
1
1
2
2
3
2
1
1
Temp °C
19
16
13
14
14
14
13
13
13
13
12
13
13
15
15
13
13
13
12
12
13
Feels °C
17
10
8
9
10
10
12
11
11
11
10
9
10
14
12
10
13
5
2
5
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
N
8
0.5
N
8
0.4
N
7
0.3
N
7
0.3
W
9
0.2
N
6
1.2
W
8
1.2
W
9
1.2
W
11
1.1
W
10
1
W
10
0.8
W
9
0.7
W
9
0.8
W
9
0.1
NE
4
1
W
8
0.9
W
8
1
W
13
3
W
12
2.1
W
10
Energy kJ
43
29
16
8
13
3
172
214
317
234
190
111
81
103
1
111
100
356
2334
867
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
W
6
0.2
W
10
0.1
W
13
0.2
N
7
0.1
N
8
0.2
N
7
0.2
N
7
0.1
NE
6
0.1
N
6
0.1
N
8
0.1
N
8
0.3
NE
4
0.2
NNE
4
0.1
N
5
0.1
NE
6
0.1
N
6
Energy kJ
20
8
3
4
1
4
4
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
10
0.2
W
12
0.1
N
8
0.1
W
14
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
8
0.1
N
8
0.1
N
7
0.1
W
17
0.1
W
14
0.1
W
12
0.1
SE
7
Energy kJ
2
11
1
4
2
1
1
1
6
4
3
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
W
6
1.5
W
6
1.4
W
7
1.2
W
7
1.2
W
7
0.3
NNE
3
0.3
NNE
3
0.4
NE
3
0.3
SE
3
0.4
SE
2
1
W
9
0.4
SE
3
2.4
WSW
10
3
W
13
Energy kJ
27
187
181
126
135
1
2
4
1
2
146
2
1282
3319
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
Distance (km)
0
230
77
53
358
19
0
0
29
29
0
56
0
0
43
60
0
480
480
62
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
4
2
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
8
8
8
5
5
5
5
6
5
5
5
5
9
7
8
9
7
5
6
  • 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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