Surf Forecasts:
The Bowl surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, W swell with 338 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Bowl this week:
The most powerful waves expected at The Bowl in the next 16 days are 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Bowl over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. The Bowl has been flat and messy, and that's going to be the story for a while. We've got a big gap of nothing good before some potential shows up at the end of the outlook.
The Bowl (reef) is looking at a rough start. On Thursday the 16th, we're talking tiny 1ft waves from the west, with a 9-second period. The combined swell energy is weak (30) and that morning glass is just going to show you how small it is. Water temp is 55°, right on average for the time of year.
From Thursday right through until Friday the 25th of July, it's a long, poor run. The wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore, often fresh, and even when the swell pushes up over the weekend, the quality is shot. Don't bother paddling out. With the wind and size, it's looking more like a kitesurfing spot than a paddle-surf spot.
There are two mornings that are worth talking about, both at the end of the 16 days. The real standout is Tuesday morning, July 28th. The Bowl is set to get clean, with 3ft waves from the west-northwest and a 10-second period. The combined energy is moderate (211) and with a light cross-offshore breeze from the southwest, it's going to be glassy. This is the one to aim for. Just keep in mind it can get a bit busy here – crowds are possible.
The other morning is Wednesday, July 29th. It has similar 4ft waves from the WNW and clean cross-offshore wind, but it's going to be a blowy 19 mph, so it won't be as good as the 28th.
Before all that, Monday morning the 27th shows clean conditions with a nice 3ft swell from the WNW, but it's just not as solid as the Tuesday option.
So here's the plan: ride out the doldrums for the next week and a half, and circle Tuesday the 28th on your calendar. That's the day. The Bowl loves that NW swell direction and when it's clean, it's a proper wave. Stay patient.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 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) | W 9 | WNW 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | NW 6 | NW 7 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | NW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 27 | 55 | 214 | 125 | 108 | 99 | 123 | 84 | 61 | 70 | 41 | 71 | 104 | 74 | 69 | 117 | 174 | 51 | 71 | 169 | 264 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 10:57AM4.92m | 10:59PM5.25m | 11:45AM4.85m | 11:44PM5.19m | 12:31PM4.70m | 00:29AM5.05m | 1:16PM4.50m | 1:14AM4.84m | 2:04PM4.29m | 2:03AM4.58m | 2:54PM4.11m | 2:57AM4.31m | 3:51PM3.98m | 4:00AM4.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:47PM1.44m | 5:20AM0.88m | 5:31PM1.54m | 6:05AM1.00m | 6:14PM1.70m | 6:51AM1.22m | 6:58PM1.91m | 7:38AM1.51m | 7:46PM2.13m | 8:29AM1.81m | 8:40PM2.34m | 9:27AM2.09m | 9:49PM2.49m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 4:31 | — | — | 4:31 | — | — | 4:33 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:08 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:04 | — | — | 10:01 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:58 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | WNW 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | N 6 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | N 8 | W 9 | W 9 | N 7 | N 7 |
| kJ | 27 | 55 | 214 | 125 | 108 | 99 | 123 | 84 | 61 | 11 | 27 | 41 | 83 | 74 | 69 | 47 | 19 | 41 | 41 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | ENE 9 | N 5 | W 9 | N 6 | WNW 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | — | N 7 | N 7 | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 22 | 12 | 24 | 32 | 31 | — | 10 | 4 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | — | — | — | — | E 6 | E 7 | N 7 | ENE 9 | WNW 12 | NE 9 | NW 8 | N 6 | N 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 31 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 6 | — | NNE 4 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | NW 6 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | NW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 6 | 15 | 67 | — | 6 | — | 70 | 41 | 71 | 104 | 61 | 66 | 117 | 174 | 51 | 71 | 169 | 264 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 183 | 16 | 65 | 86 | 63 | 86 | 65 | 7 | 34 | 125 | 45 | 45 | 825 | 63 | 311 | 739 | 778 | 453 | 1363 | 36 | |
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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