Surf Forecasts:
Mill Bay surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, NNE swell with 176 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Mill Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Mill Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Mill Bay in the next 16 days are 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mill Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ESE on Mon night, calm by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 4 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
21 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 37 | 22 | 16 | 19 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 102 | 150 | 176 | 112 | 139 | 128 | 107 | 88 | 83 | 47 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:50PM2.42m | 1:54AM2.69m | 2:27PM2.30m | 2:35AM2.48m | 3:05PM2.17m | 3:19AM2.26m | 3:46PM2.04m | 4:10AM2.05m | 4:37PM1.92m | 5:15AM1.88m | 5:46PM1.83m | 6:42AM1.80m | 7:13PM1.85m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:27PM0.35m | 8:02AM0.18m | 8:06PM0.47m | 8:39AM0.42m | 8:46PM0.63m | 9:18AM0.68m | 9:32PM0.80m | 10:05AM0.92m | 10:34PM0.97m | 11:15AM1.10m | 00:12AM1.06m | 12:59PM1.15m | 1:53AM1.01m | ||||||||
5:28 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | |
— | 8:58 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:40 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | NNE 7 | SE 5 | SE 4 | NNE 7 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NNE 10 |
21 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 37 | 22 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 23 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 30 | 34 | 24 | 28 | 19 | 44 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 8 | W 8 | ENE 5 | NNE 7 | WNW 11 | SE 4 | SE 4 | W 10 | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | — | NNE 9 | ENE 5 |
5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 11 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 16 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 6 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | ENE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | W 2 | — | — | — | SE 3 | SE 5 | WSW 3 | — | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 |
1 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 55 | 1 | — | 6 | 14 | 102 | 150 | 176 | 112 | 139 | 128 | 107 | 88 | 83 | 47 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 75 | 138 | 53 | 41 | 24 | 114 | 38 | 1120 | 24 | 67 | 71 | 435 | 463 | 463 | 287 | 806 | 310 | 267 | 267 | 420 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Mill Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Mill Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Mill Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Mill 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 (Mill 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 Mill 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 Mill Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Orkney Islands, consider staying in Kirkwall which is 27 km (17 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 78 km (48 miles) away and Wick, 83 km (52 miles) away.











