Birsay Bay surfForecast / Scot – Orkney / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Thursday 19 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
7.2° 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 Saturday (Feb 21) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m 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 5.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Feb 25) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Friday (Feb 20) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Sat 21st Feb)8ft (2.5m) 17s
Best Surf 9PM (Mon 23rd Feb)13ft (4.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 9PM (Wed 25th Feb)18ft (5.5m) 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 Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Sat night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Sat night, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Fri night, near gales from the WSW by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the S on Mon night, gales from the SW by Tue afternoon).

Thu
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
2
0
2
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
2
!
0
0
!
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.4
NNW
1.2
NNW
2.2
WSW
1.9
WSW
0.7
WNW
1.6
WNW
2.5
W
2.2
W
2.5
W
2
W
3.5
W
4
W
4.5
W
3.5
W
2.3
W
3
W
3
W
2.5
W
4.5
WNW
5.5
WNW
4
WNW
Period(s) (?)11118102118171615141616161413121212171716
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)522337582671463151438992465293016085835854494965273178026532284167311973162957211
Wind
(km/h)
45
S
35
S
35
SSW
20
S
15
NNE
25
ESE
15
SE
55
WSW
55
WSW
45
WSW
35
SW
45
SW
50
WSW
25
S
35
S
35
S
30
WSW
40
W
30
WSW
40
SSE
40
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
offcross-
on
crosscross-
on
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
crossoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:02PM
2.97
10:07AM
3.31
10:35PM
2.94
10:42AM
3.23
11:10PM
2.87
11:21AM
3.07
11:51PM
2.73
12:07PM
2.84
12:40AM
2.56
1:08PM
2.58
1:47AM
2.40
2:35PM
2.37
3:21AM
2.33
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:58PM
-0.08
4:03AM
0.19
4:32PM
-0.05
4:39AM
0.25
5:08PM
0.08
5:18AM
0.37
5:48PM
0.30
6:01AM
0.54
6:34PM
0.57
6:54AM
0.76
7:33PM
0.86
8:08AM
0.95
8:58PM
1.07
9:54AM
0.99
Thu
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Sunrise--7:35--7:33--7:31--7:28--7:24--7:22--7:18
Sunset5:15--5:17--5:21--5:22--5:25--5:28--5:30--
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
16151328--11-121-----
Temp. °C576766787878888987767
Feels °C (?)-5-3-23-203-4-5-2-2-3-30110-30-11
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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