Surf Forecasts:
The Bowl surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, W swell with 1,345 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with NNE 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Bowl in the next 16 days are 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s run through it in feet and miles per hour.
The Bowl is the spot, and the first week is a bust. From Tuesday the 4th through the end of the first week, it’s all wind and chop. The swell gets up, but the conditions are poor. The reef needs clean, and we’re getting cross-off and cross-on winds in the 20-30 mph range. The energy is weak to moderate.
A tiny window opens on Friday the 7th morning. The swell is only 1ft, but the wind goes light offshore from the SSW, and the water cleans up. The energy is weak (72), but you can get a wave. Water temp is about normal for the season.
Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th bring size, up to 8ft, and the energy jumps into the strong range (1344 on Sunday morning). But the wind is a fresh cross or cross-off, so it’s lumpy. That’s expert-only territory.
Monday the 10th through the middle of the second week is a slow period. The swell drops, and the wind is messy. There’s a chance on the 12th with light offshore winds and 3ft swell, but it’s ordinary.
Then the real standout: Monday the 17th of August. The Bowl gets a 12ft west swell, 10-second period, and light offshore winds from the SW in the morning. The combined energy is a massive 2486—very strong. The conditions are clean, and it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is a heavy reef break at that size, so only the crew who know the place should be out. The afternoon has a light cross-shore, but it’s still a huge day. It can get crowded here, so expect a few others in the water.
The forecast after that drops off quickly, so that Monday the 17th is the one to aim for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Tue morning, calm by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sat morning, light winds from the NNW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 107 | 82 | 107 | 153 | 414 | 399 | 255 | 94 | 33 | 30 | 258 | 528 | 708 | 549 | 1345 | 1004 | 563 | 548 | 650 | 745 | 353 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:59PM4.42m | 1:04AM4.67m | 1:46PM4.29m | 1:55AM4.48m | 2:44PM4.17m | 3:01AM4.28m | 3:55PM4.11m | 4:23AM4.15m | 5:15PM4.16m | 5:55AM4.19m | 6:32PM4.36m | 7:16AM4.39m | 7:36PM4.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:59PM1.93m | 7:34AM1.68m | 7:47PM2.10m | 8:27AM1.89m | 8:50PM2.27m | 9:36AM2.09m | 10:15PM2.33m | 11:01AM2.17m | 11:47PM2.18m | 12:22PM2.08m | 1:01AM1.85m | 1:26PM1.88m | 1:59AM1.47m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 5:09 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:28 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:15 |
mm | 8 | 9 | 4 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 13 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | W 10 | ESE 6 | W 11 | W 10 | N 7 | N 7 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | N 8 | NW 14 | WNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 |
| kJ | 107 | 82 | 107 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 94 | 33 | 30 | 258 | 528 | 708 | 549 | 5 | 46 | 563 | 548 | 650 | 745 | 348 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | E 7 | W 7 | W 10 | — | E 6 | W 10 | WNW 4 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 9 | N 9 | NNW 9 | — | N 8 | NW 12 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 10 | — |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 22 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 17 | 11 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | — | 5 | 539 | 194 | 88 | 92 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | NE 10 | NNE 10 | N 11 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | — | — | N 7 | — | NW 11 | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 3 | — | — | 4 | — | 33 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | E 5 | ESE 5 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | WNW 5 | — | W 5 | S 3 | — | SSW 4 | — | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | W 10 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 21 | 121 | 8 | 153 | 414 | 399 | 255 | 19 | — | 29 | 1 | — | 16 | — | 1345 | 1004 | — | — | — | 196 | 353 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 417 | 183 | 34 | 86 | 148 | 531 | 223 | 266 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 421 | 421 | 592 | 176 | 412 | 388 | 388 | 86 | 35 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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