Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

The Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 17 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Bowl sea temperature is
12.7°C
1.1° 

The Bowl surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


The Bowl surf forecast from 17 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 19 Oct, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 19 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, WNW swell with 5,246 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 17 Oct, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period with WNW 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 Saturday (Oct 17) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Bowl in the next 16 days are 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Oct 19) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Oct 24) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sat 17th Oct)5ft (1.6m) 11s
Best Surf 4PM (Mon 19th Oct)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 7PM (Mon 19th Oct)11ft (3.5m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Bowl over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon night, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sat night, strong winds from the SE by Mon night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue morning, min 7°C on Wed night). Mainly gales.

Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
4
3
4
4
4
6
3
0
0
2
2
3
2
4
4
2
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
W
12
1.6
WNW
12
1.6
WNW
11
1.2
N
12
1.7
WNW
10
2.2
W
13
1.5
WNW
16
3.5
WNW
16
3
WNW
14
2.5
WNW
13
2.4
WNW
13
2
WNW
13
2
WNW
13
2.2
WNW
13
2.4
WNW
13
2
W
12
3.5
WNW
8
1.9
WNW
11
1.4
W
11
1.3
W
11
1.1
W
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
870
755
615
385
610
1657
1194
4998
4296
2327
1930
1299
1279
1654
1864
1194
1365
813
457
396
284
Wind (km/h)
25
W
20
WNW
10
SSW
10
SSW
10
S
15
SSW
10
S
20
SSE
35
SSE
45
SE
50
SE
35
SE
30
SE
25
SSW
25
WSW
20
SSW
25
S
20
SE
45
ESE
35
S
35
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
High Tide
1:00PM4.10m
1:57AM3.73m
2:07PM3.91m
3:32AM3.63m
3:39PM3.83m
5:03AM3.73m
5:02PM3.93m
6:06AM3.95m
6:03PM4.15m
6:51AM4.21m
6:49PM4.40m
7:28AM4.47m
7:28PM4.66m
Low Tide
7:33PM2.31m
7:43AM2.67m
8:47PM2.48m
9:12AM2.83m
10:28PM2.46m
11:00AM2.75m
11:43PM2.26m
12:07PM2.51m
00:34AM1.98m
12:52PM2.21m
1:14AM1.69m
1:30PM1.92m
1:50AM1.42m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:54
—
—
7:56
—
—
7:58
—
—
8:00
—
—
8:03
—
—
8:04
—
—
8:07
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
6:04
—
—
6:01
—
—
5:59
—
—
5:55
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—
5:53
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—
5:51
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5:47
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
3
2
—
—
—
—
8
3
1
4
Temp °C
11
11
10
9
9
9
10
11
12
12
11
11
11
12
8
10
9
10
10
9
10
Feels °C
6
6
7
6
6
4
5
6
6
2
1
4
7
6
2
4
3
-3
1
2
3
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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