Surf Forecasts:
The Bowl surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, N swell with 279 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Bowl this week:
The surf forecast for The Bowl over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Bowl in the next 16 days are 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Oi, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for The Bowl.
Right off the bat, the forecast is a bit of a slow burn for the first week or so. The surf is small and the wind is messy, so don't get too excited too early. We’ve got a solid gap of nothing really worth paddling out for from Monday the 10th right through the next few days – the swell is tiny and the conditions are just poor. There is a small window of clean, glassy surf on Wednesday afternoon the 12th, but it’s only 2 feet from the west with a period of 10 seconds (combined energy of 93). It’s surfable, but it’s very ordinary. The wind is glassy, which is a nice touch, but the swell is just too small to get excited about.
The real standout for this whole outlook is way out there. On Tuesday the 25th, we’ve got a proper pulse. The afternoon session is looking like the best on offer: a solid 6 feet swell from the west, with a 11-second period, giving it some real grunt (combined energy of 1047). The wind is dead calm, glassy, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a big, clean groundswell that will be powering into The Bowl. Keep in mind that The Bowl is a reef break, so a long-period swell like this (11 seconds) won’t be a problem – it’s better suited to reefs and points, so it should shape up nicely. However, at 6 feet, this is getting into the territory where it’s too big for beginners. The water temp is about 56°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Also worth noting, the morning of the 20th and 21st of August show some decent size (7 feet and 6 feet from the west with 10-second periods, combined energy of 741 and 609) with clean cross-off winds. These are decent, but the surf quality is called “marginal” due to tide conditions, so they are not as clear-cut as the 25th. The Bowl is an advanced break, and crowds are “sometimes” an issue, so keep that in mind if you’re heading there.
The first week is a write-off for decent surf. The second week has a few options, but the Tuesday the 25th afternoon is the clear pick – a real gem in an otherwise quiet window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the W by Fri night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | N 9 | W 5 | W 8 | W 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 809 | 298 | 160 | 78 | 39 | 40 | 78 | 32 | 63 | 106 | 51 | 90 | 104 | 41 | 48 | 50 | 136 | 157 | 133 | 78 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:36PM4.63m | 8:20AM4.63m | 8:30PM4.91m | 9:12AM4.84m | 9:16PM5.15m | 9:57AM4.97m | 9:59PM5.31m | 10:39AM4.99m | 10:40PM5.35m | 11:18AM4.92m | 11:19PM5.28m | 11:55AM4.77m | 11:57PM5.10m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:59AM1.47m | 2:19PM1.67m | 2:49AM1.13m | 3:05PM1.49m | 3:34AM0.89m | 3:48PM1.37m | 4:17AM0.79m | 4:28PM1.34m | 4:58AM0.82m | 5:07PM1.40m | 5:37AM0.98m | 5:45PM1.53m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — |
 | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:13 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:00 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 5 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | W 10 | W 6 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | N 9 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | W 8 | W 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 |
| kJ | — | 298 | 160 | 78 | 39 | 15 | 78 | 17 | 63 | 106 | 51 | 41 | 45 | 41 | 41 | 50 | 136 | 157 | 133 | 78 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 11 | N 7 | WSW 10 | W 5 | N 11 | N 10 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | N 9 | NNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | — | 42 | 16 | 15 | 8 | 40 | 15 | 32 | 5 | 55 | 44 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 39 | 45 | 96 | 54 | 25 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 8 | W 10 | — | W 9 | W 8 | SE 5 | N 7 | N 8 | SE 6 | W 5 | — | SE 5 | — | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | — | W 11 |
| kJ | — | 40 | 2 | — | 2 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 9 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 9 | — | SSE 3 | SE 3 | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 4 | W 5 | WNW 5 | N 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 809 | — | 3 | 1 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 90 | 104 | 36 | 48 | 44 | 86 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 170 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 785 | 63 | 759 | 785 | 369 | 63 | 16 | 16 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Bowl Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Bowl provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Bowl can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Bowl 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 (The Bowl) 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 The Bowl 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 Scotland - North Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near The Bowl, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Scotland - North Coast, consider staying in Scrabster which is 7 km (4 miles) away. Other places in and around Scotland - North Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Wick which is 39 km (24 miles) away and Kirkwall, 56 km (35 miles) away.
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