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.
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
Monday 19 | Tuesday 20 | Wednesday 21 | Thursday 22 | Friday 23 | Saturday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | W 13 | SSE 5 | NW 15 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | W 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | W 9 | NW 9 | W 11 | W 11 | W 12 | WNW 8 | ESE 10 | N 10 | W 12 |
 kJ | 2494 | 1318 | 90 | 34 | 2338 | 1960 | 1299 | 988 | 1323 | 1077 | 2182 | 120 | 1048 | 970 | 1141 | 1564 | 263 | 165 | 1388 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | off | off | off | cross | cross-on | off | off | off | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross | off |
High Tide | 3:42AM1.99m | 6:29PM1.86m | 5:13AM2.05m | 5:18PM2.31m | 6:13AM2.20m | 6:11PM2.47m | 6:56AM2.40m | 7:31AM2.61m | 7:28PM2.85m | 10:55AM2.43m | 8:03PM3.02m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:09AM1.38m | 1:43AM0.96m | 10:52AM1.33m | 11:54PM0.98m | 12:02PM1.15m | 1:01AM0.72m | 12:49PM0.94m | 2:33PM0.84m | 1:17AM0.49m | 1:27PM0.72m | 1:51AM0.27m | 4:34AM0.31m | 4:47PM0.56m | 2:26AM0.09m | |||||
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mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 1 | — | 11 | 5 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 9 |
Max °C | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Min °C | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
Chill °C | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
 | — | 7:58 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | W 13 | NW 16 | NW 15 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | W 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | SE 9 | SE 8 | W 11 | W 11 | W 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | N 10 | W 12 |
| kJ | 2494 | 1318 | 40 | 34 | 2338 | 1960 | 1299 | 988 | 1323 | 1077 | 3 | 120 | 1048 | 970 | 1141 | 63 | 263 | 165 | 1388 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 11 | WNW 16 | N 11 | W 14 | — | — | — | ENE 12 | — | E 9 | — | NW 9 | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | — | N 9 | ESE 8 | NNW 10 |
| kJ | 116 | 926 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | 27 | — | 40 | — | 107 | 16 | 7 | — | — | 99 | 57 | 647 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 3 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SE 4 | NW 3 | W 9 | SW 4 | — | NNW 3 | NW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 4 | W 4 | S 4 |
| kJ | 2 | 15 | 90 | 260 | 200 | 236 | 130 | 67 | 23 | 4 | 2182 | 27 | — | 5 | 176 | 1564 | 11 | 18 | 12 |
Sea °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Diff °C | |||||||||||||||||||
Orkney Surf Breaks
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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