Orkney Surf

Detailed Orkney surf forecast maps and the latest eyeball surf report from local surfers in the region. Near-shore swell is shown on the map together with the surf forecast rating for spots in Orkney. Find the best places to surf in offshore conditions by selecting the wind option on the forecast map. Windsurfers and kite surfers can also use this option to find more favorable cross-shore conditions in Orkney. Our local Wavefinder indicates where some of the best conditions are likely to be found in Orkney over the next 7 days. Surf photos from Orkney and reviews of the best spots and surfing conditions have been provided by local surfers.

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Wave Energy Map

Wave Height Map

Wind Map

Please enable JavaScript to access the following map views:All map types that you can enable here: Orkney Colour Base Map, Wave Height, Wave Energy, Orkney Swell 1 Energy, Swell 2 Energy, Windwave Energy, Orkney Precipitation, Wind, Temperature, Orkney Cloud Cover.Map overlays available for display: Orkney Pressure, Wind.Symbols shown on the map: Orkney Surf Breaks, Tide Forecasts, Cities, Orkney Ski Resorts, Live Wave Buoys, Live Webcams, Orkney Wind Now, Temperature Now, Weather Now, Orkney Swell at breaks, Rating at breaks.

Orkney Surf Forecast map for predicting the best wave and wind conditions across the region. For surfers, the map shows the most powerful swell tracking across near-shore open water and not the peak waves experienced by boats out at sea. Move your mouse over the ocean swell symbols or the surf breaks on the coastline to see a more detailed surf forecast including wave period and wind conditions. The forecast updates every 6 hours and most live weather reports update every hour. You can animate the Orkney Surf map or show live wind and wave conditions as reported from wavebuoys and local weather stations. Surf breaks shown along the Orkney coastline are also listed below.

Orkney Photos

Orkney Wavefinder

	Mon 20		Tuesday 21			Wednesday 22			Thursday 23			Friday 24			Saturday 25			Sunday 26
	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night
Best forecast wave conditions in Orkney Islands	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Mill Bay Scot - Orkney	Rackwick Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney	Bay of Skaill Scot - Orkney
Rating (10 max)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	0	0	0	2
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s)	WNW 8	WNW 8	WNW 7	WNW 8	NW 8	WNW 8	WNW 8	WNW 8	W 6	W 7	W 8	W 9	W 9	W 9	NW 11	WNW 10	WNW 10	WNW 10	W 9	N 9
kJ	181	165	331	654	613	307	243	165	166	364	572	1220	1219	944	119	806	463	328	207	169
Wind (km/h)	WNW	WNW	W	WNW	NW	WNW	WNW	W	WSW	WSW	WSW	WSW	WSW	WSW	W	NNW	NW	NW	WNW	SSE
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy	cross-on	cross-on	cross-on	cross-on	cross-on	cross-on	cross-on	cross-on	cross	cross	cross	cross	cross	cross	cross-off	cross-off	on	cross-on	cross-on	off
High Tide		2:07AM2.74m		2:51PM2.40m	3:04AM2.51m		3:50PM2.31m		4:11AM2.34m	4:56PM2.28m		5:25AM2.27m	6:03PM2.32m		8:28AM1.93m	6:50PM2.44m	7:03PM2.43m	7:33AM2.41m		7:53PM2.58m
Low Tide		7:46PM0.76m	8:28AM0.65m		8:40PM0.95m	9:23AM0.89m		9:48PM1.10m	10:32AM1.06m		11:12PM1.16m	11:49AM1.11m		00:30AM1.10m			1:28AM0.96m		1:43PM0.94m	2:13AM0.80m


mm	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	6	—	—	—	—	—	2
Max °C	12	12	11	12	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	12	12	12
Min °C	12	11	11	11	11	12	13	12	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	12	12	12	11
Chill °C	10	10	7	9	9	10	11	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	12	12	12	10	11	10
	—	—	4:35	—	—	4:37	—	—	4:39	—	—	4:41	—	—	4:39	—	—	4:45	—	—
	—	10:04	—	—	10:01	—	—	10:00	—	—	9:58	—	—	9:55	—	—	9:52	—	—	9:52
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s)	WNW 8	W 10	N 8	N 8	N 8	WNW 8	WNW 8	N 7	N 6	N 6	N 7	N 7	—	—	SSE 5	WNW 10	WNW 10	WNW 10	W 9	N 9
kJ	181	70	12	5	1	307	243	22	7	3	4	1	—	—	3	806	463	328	207	169
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s)	W 10	N 8	W 18	—	—	W 9	N 7	W 9	—	—	—	—	—	—	SSE 6	N 10	NNW 9	NNW 9	N 9	W 9
kJ	52	23	6	—	—	27	8	24	—	—	—	—	—	—	10	2	225	206	203	160
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s)	—	WNW 8	WNW 7	WNW 8	NW 8	—	—	WNW 8	W 6	W 7	W 8	W 9	W 9	W 9	NW 11	—	—	—	—	S 3
kJ	—	165	331	654	613	—	—	165	166	364	572	1220	1219	944	119	—	—	—	—	1
Sea °C	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13
Diff °C	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.3	+0.4	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6	+0.6

Orkney Surf Breaks

beach

beach

reef

Orkeny and the shetlands are very remote islands in the very north of Scotland which attracts the more hard core surfer in search of some of the most perfect waves you can get in this part of the world. There is a small but keen group of surfers that live there. You need to bring all of your own equipment with you as this place is as remote as remote gets. The Bay of Skaill offers the largest surf and tends to be the most poplar spot with locals. The coastlines are very exposed so is known for some big swells powering through and hammering the shores.

Orkney has a range of sandy bays, intense reef breaks and near perfect point breaks. Luckily the gulf stream runs all of the way up offering a slightly warmer surf.
The swell window is very generous allowing breaks to go off from a multitude of directions. The weather can be quite fierce so be prepared for cold and strong winds. If the swell is flat take five to absorb one of the most beautiful untouched places in Europe. Getting there can be quite tricky and expensive but is worth it, for the waves awaiting are world class and uncrowded.

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