Birsay Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 59.13° N 3.33° W

Birsay Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 30 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Birsay Bay sea temperature is
13.3° C
0.3° 

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 30 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, NNW swell with 1,426 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period with N 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Wed 5th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Best Surf 1PM (Wed 5th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Most Powerful 4AM (Mon 3rd Aug)8ft (2.5m) 11s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed night, min 11°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the WSW by Fri afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat night, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat night, light winds from the N by Tue afternoon).

Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NNW
8
0.8
N
8
1.2
W
5
2
W
7
1.7
W
7
1.7
W
6
1
NNW
8
1.2
NNW
8
1
NNW
8
1.9
NW
8
1.8
NW
8
2.3
N
11
2
N
11
2
NNW
10
1.6
NNW
9
1.3
NNW
9
1.2
N
8
1.3
N
9
1.2
N
9
1.1
N
9
0.8
NNE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
96
74
70
353
247
240
154
181
147
452
393
1389
890
742
442
264
200
262
230
189
90
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
10
SW
35
W
35
WSW
40
WSW
35
WSW
25
SW
30
W
35
WNW
35
WNW
30
WNW
20
NW
15
NW
15
NNW
10
NNW
10
N
10
N
10
N
10
NNW
15
NE
15
NNE
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross
cross
High Tide
10:08AM2.74m
10:16PM3.09m
10:41AM2.75m
10:46PM3.12m
11:12AM2.73m
11:16PM3.10m
11:44AM2.70m
11:47PM3.04m
12:17PM2.65m
00:22AM2.94m
12:55PM2.58m
1:02AM2.80m
1:41PM2.49m
1:54AM2.64m
Low Tide
4:01AM0.33m
4:04PM0.44m
4:35AM0.24m
4:36PM0.40m
5:07AM0.19m
5:09PM0.40m
5:40AM0.20m
5:43PM0.45m
6:15AM0.26m
6:19PM0.55m
6:52AM0.37m
6:59PM0.67m
7:34AM0.53m
7:46PM0.82m
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:52
4:56
4:58
5:00
5:01
5:05
5:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:44
9:40
9:38
9:37
9:34
9:31
9:29
 mm
3
2
3
2
1
1
Temp °C
13
12
12
12
13
13
13
13
12
12
12
12
11
11
11
11
11
11
12
12
12
Feels °C
10
10
6
4
5
7
7
7
7
5
6
7
7
7
7
8
9
9
10
9
9
  • 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 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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