Marwick Bay
Marwick Bay is one of Orkney's most exposed surf spots--a right-hand reef on the west coast wide open to the North Atlantic.
Marwick Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (300°)
- Direction range
- 260° - 340°
- Size range
- 1m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 13s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (100°)
- Offshore range
- 70° - 140°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
9°C
Wetsuit
6/5mm + boots, gloves, hood
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
1/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Marwick Bay?
Marwick Bay is a reef break in Orkney Islands, UK, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Marwick Bay?
Marwick Bay picks up swell from the W round to the NNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WNW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 13s or longer, as anything under 9s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Marwick Bay?
An E wind is dead offshore at Marwick Bay, and anything from the ENE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Marwick Bay?
Marwick Bay is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Marwick Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Marwick Bay comes Sep to Feb. There's a second window in Mar too.
How cold is the water at Marwick Bay?
The water at Marwick Bay averages around 9°C, so you'll want a 6/5mm with boots, gloves and a hood. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Marwick Bay good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Heavy reef. Strong currents. Extremely cold water. Remote.
How do I get to Marwick Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is KOI, then it's roughly a 35-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Marwick Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Skara Brae (3.9 km), Gills Bay Slab (50 km) and Dunnet Bay (50 km), handy when Marwick Bay isn't working. Fun fact: it's the most northerly break we track in UK.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Mar
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Skara Brae
Orkney reef - Ancient coastline - Virtually empty lineup
Gills Bay Slab
European big wave slab - Storm-only activation - Career-ending consequence
Dunnet Bay
Caithness' friendly beach - Beginner to intermediate - Near Thurso
Murkle
Caithness left slab - Backdoor barrels - Expert territory
Bagpipes
Remote Scottish slab - Almost un-surfed - Maximum consequence
Thurso East
Scotland's world-class right - Cold water perfection - North Atlantic power