Kirkwall tides today
- Tide now 1.3 ft ↑ rising · high 11:35 pm (3.9 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 3:20–4:10 pm average day · 6/10
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Waves · water 2.4 ft · 53 °F slight · 5.2 s from the west-southwest
- Wind · air 10 mph · 53 °F from the WSW, gusts 15 · partly cloudy
- Surf tomorrow Flat Flat day · 1/10 · 8:00 am–12:00 pm
- Sun 7:20 am–4:30 pm 9 h 10 min of daylight
- Moon 92% · 4:26 pm waning gibbous · rises at 4:26 pm
Today in Kirkwall there are high tides at 11:10 am (3.8 ft) and 11:35 pm (3.9 ft) and low tides at 4:49 am and 5:07 pm. Tide coefficient 101. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 11:35 pm. The sun rises at 7:20 am and sets at 4:30 pm: 9 h 10 min of daylight. The moon is 92% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 4:26 pm. Major solunar periods run from 12:34 am to 2:34 am and from 1:06 pm to 3:06 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is slight, with 2.4 ft waves. There's a gentle breeze from the west-southwest (10 mph). Partly cloudy, 53 °F.
Fishing in Kirkwall today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: high- Low tide at 5:07 pm
- Minor period 3:56–4:56 pm (moonrise)
- Sunset at 4:30 pm, golden hour from 3:28 pm
- Rising pressure (+0.68 inHg in 24 h), light offshore wind (12 mph) and some swell (2.6 ft waves) to stir the water
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 101 (big spring tides)
- A minor period lines up with sunset
Your day at a glance
The best window, 4:10 pm to 5:10 pm, combines the 5:07 pm low tide, moonrise, sunset and some swell, though with rising pressure. Also worth a try from 11:10 am to 12:10 pm, with the 11:10 am high tide, moonset and some swell, though with rising pressure and moderate wind.
Species with the most records nearby: haddock, whiting, small-spotted catshark and European plaice. October is one of the months when these are seen most: ballan wrasse and Atlantic mackerel. What you can catch
Beach day in Kirkwall
Is it a beach day?
- Calm for swimming: 2.8 ft waves
- Cloudy (78% cloud cover)
- Feels like 45 °F: chilly for the beach
- Rain (0.03 in)
- Fresh offshore wind (18 mph): it blows floats and inflatables out to sea
- Water at 53 °F (very cold)
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 2.8 ft
2.8 ft waves: calm for swimming. Low rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 53 °F
Very cold: ease in and keep swims short.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 1 · SPF 15
Max UV 1 (low): SPF 15 sunscreen.
- Wind 18 mph
Fresh offshore wind (18 mph): blowing sand. Skip the inflatables: offshore wind carries them out to sea.
- Tide & sand 4:49 am
Low tide at 4:49 am and 5:07 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 11:10 am and 11:35 pm. Coefficient 101 (spring tides): little sand left at high tide.
We don't have data on jellyfish, sargassum or beach closures: ask the lifeguard or check with the local beach authority. How it works · The next 7 days
Beaches near Kirkwall
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Scapa beach 1.9 mi · S
- Restrooms
- Parking
- Inganess beach 2.2 mi · SE
- Parking
- Mill Sand 4.6 mi · SE
- Parking
Named beaches within 6.2 mi, nearest first. Amenities from OpenStreetMap: some may be missing or out of date. View on OpenStreetMap · Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Kirkwall
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Kirkwall
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Low tide 4:49 am -4.2 ft
- ▲ High tide 11:10 am 3.8 ft · coef. 101
- ▼ Low tide 5:07 pm -4.2 ft
- ▲ Next high tide 11:35 pm 3.9 ft · coef. 98
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 2 h 43 min to high tide at 11:35 pm.
Tide coefficient 101 for the 11:10 am high tide and 98 for the 11:35 pm high tide. Big spring tides. The water rises and falls 8.1 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: a large range for this place. 70 is an average tide here; 90 and above means spring tides; below 45, neap tides. What is the tide coefficient?
2026 extremes: the highest tide of the year is on August 15 (4.9 ft) and the lowest, on August 14 (-5.2 ft).
Semidiurnal: two high and two low tides a day, of similar height.
Heights above mean sea level. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. mean sea level
Tide coefficient and range in October
The biggest tides of the month came from October 26 to 28 (coefficient 103, 8.6 ft range). The smallest, on October 19 (coefficient 23, 1.8 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Tide 3 | Tide 4 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Wed 28 | 7:20 am · 4:30 pm | Low tide 4:49 am · -4.2 ft | High tide 11:10 am · 3.8 ft | Low tide 5:07 pm · -4.2 ft | High tide 11:35 pm · 3.9 ft | Coef. 101 | 92% | Major periods 12:34 am · 1:06 pm | High |
| Thu 29 | 7:22 am · 4:28 pm | Low tide 5:30 am · -3.7 ft | High tide 11:51 am · 3.6 ft | Low tide 5:52 pm · -4.0 ft | — | Coef. 94 | 85% | Major periods 1:38 am · 2:10 pm | High |
| Fri 30 | 7:25 am · 4:25 pm | High tide 12:25 am · 3.5 ft | Low tide 6:14 am · -3.0 ft | High tide 12:37 pm · 3.3 ft | Low tide 6:45 pm · -3.5 ft | Coef. 88 | 76% | Major periods 2:42 am · 3:14 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:27 am · 4:23 pm | High tide 1:21 am · 2.8 ft | Low tide 7:05 am · -2.3 ft | High tide 1:29 pm · 2.9 ft | Low tide 7:51 pm · -3.1 ft | Coef. 74 | 65% | Major periods 3:45 am · 4:15 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 7:30 am · 4:20 pm | High tide 2:28 am · 2.1 ft | Low tide 8:11 am · -1.6 ft | High tide 2:33 pm · 2.5 ft | Low tide 9:13 pm · -2.7 ft | Coef. 60 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:44 am · 5:12 pm | Low |
| Mon 2 | 7:32 am · 4:18 pm | High tide 3:51 am · 1.6 ft | Low tide 9:34 am · -1.2 ft | High tide 3:52 pm · 2.3 ft | Low tide 10:39 pm · -2.8 ft | Coef. 49 | 43% | Major periods 5:38 am · 6:03 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 7:35 am · 4:15 pm | High tide 5:22 am · 1.5 ft | Low tide 10:57 am · -1.3 ft | High tide 5:17 pm · 2.4 ft | Low tide 11:54 pm · -3.1 ft | Coef. 51 | 32% | Major periods 6:27 am · 6:51 pm | Medium |
▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above mean sea level. Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.
Where this tide comes from
Kirkwall has no tide station nearby: its tide is calculated with the global FES2022 model, from the nearest model cells offshore (the first one 1.1 mi away). It may differ from the real tide by a few minutes and inches, and more with wind or storms. Heights are above mean sea level, not chart datum, so low tides are negative. Not for navigation.
Model attribution: FES2022 Tide was produced by LEGOS, NOVELTIS and CLS, funded by CNES, and distributed by AVISO (https://doi.org/10.24400/527896/a01-2024.004), AVISO licence (https://www.aviso.altimetry.fr/fileadmin/documents/data/License_Aviso.pdf). Modified by TidePlanet: constants interpolated from the nearest model cells offshore; heights above mean sea level.
The sea at Kirkwall
Sea stateSea state: slight
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common1.2 ft
- Significant2.4 ft
- Highest expectedHighest4.9 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 4.9 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 4.9 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
The model doesn't separate offshore wind here: it's the same as on the coast.
Cross-offshore wind. The coast faces north and the wind comes off the land at an angle: calmer water near the shore, and bait and boats drift out to sea.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves ease over the next few days. The biggest waves arrive on Wednesday 28: 3.6 ft with a period of 6 s, from the south-southwest (slight).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water is steady these days, with no sudden changes.
Water about normal for late October.
Satellite: NASA MUR (JPL MUR MEaSUREs, PO.DAAC), doi:10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04. Sources and licenses
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 8:52 pm (local time).
Surf in Kirkwall today
Surf today
Flat- Barely any waves (0.8 ft sets): flat
- Light offshore wind (9 mph): it holds up and grooms the waves
- Rising tide (high tide at 11:10 am)
It’s flat today: almost no waves reach this coast.
- Light: First light 6:37 am · sunrise 7:20 am · sunset 4:30 pm · last light 5:13 pm
- Tide: low 4:49 am (-4.2 ft), high 11:10 am (3.8 ft), low 5:07 pm (-4.2 ft) and high 11:35 pm (3.9 ft). Every break has its own tide: some work at low tide and others at high tide. The tide doesn’t change the score here.
- Water at 52.9 °F: a 5/4 fullsuit with booties (and a hood if it’s windy).
- Energy: 19 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 7:00 am to 11:00 am, has light offshore wind, though with barely any waves.
An estimate for this stretch of coast, not for a specific break: every beach or reef works its own way (its tide, bottom and angle). Check it when you get there.
Follow the flags and the lifeguards, and don’t paddle out if the surf is above your level: this score is a guide, not a substitute for what you see when you get there.
Diving in Kirkwall today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: fair- 2.8 ft surface waves
- Moderate offshore wind (17 mph): it pushes surface swimmers away from shore
- 0.5 mph current toward the east-northeast, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: low tide 4:49 am (4:30–5:04 am), high tide 11:10 am (10:50–11:30 am), low tide 5:07 pm (4:50–5:22 pm) and high tide 11:35 pm (11:10 pm–12:00 am)
- Likely visibility: fair. Swell (up to 2.7 ft at 8 s) and wind over the last few days have stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 52.9 °F: a 7 mm semi-dry suit, with hood, gloves and booties.
- Snorkeling: doable, with some waves or wind.
- Night dive: dark from 5:13 pm. Waning gibbous (92%), rising at 4:26 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, combines weak current and the sun high, though with moderate wind.
Slack water comes from the tide: in inlets, channels and between islands the water can keep running for an hour or two after. Ask the local dive shop.
Never dive alone and check with the local dive shop: this rating is a guide, not a substitute for a professional.
Dive sites, wrecks and dive shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- SMS Karlsruhe 10 mi
- Juniata (fore Part) 2.2 mi
- Loch Maddy (stern Section) 2.5 mi
- HMS Endeavour 2.8 mi
- HMS Loch Garry 3.1 mi
- HMD Lustring 3.4 mi
- HMS Royal Oak 3.8 mi
- HMS Albacore (Bow section) 4.0 mi
- 090 4.0 mi
- Mv Invincible 12 mi
- MV Valhalla 12 mi
- The Diving Cellar 12 mi
Within 12 mi. Some may be missing or closed; marine reserves usually need a permit. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Wreck and reef positions are approximate and not for navigation; a wreck’s depth runs from the top of the hull to the seabed.
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Wrecks: EMODnet Human Activities (AND-International), from UK Hydrographic Office data, CC BY 4.0. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Weather in Kirkwall
Now in Kirkwall
- Low / high
- 48 / 53 °F
- Rain
- 0.04 in · 100%
- Clouds
- 79%
- Humidity
- 84%
- Dew pointDew point
- 48 °F
- Visibility
- 18 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Fair · 30
- Saharan dust
- No
- Pollen
- None
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising · now Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Rising now (+0.04 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: +0.26 inHg. Rising pressure: anglers say fish bite less for a while. Fast changes, either way, tend to affect fishing.
Today, hour by hourHour by hour
Bars: mean wind. Dashed line: gusts. Arrows point where the wind blows to.
| Time | 12:00 am | 3:00 am | 6:00 am | 9:00 am | 12:00 pm | 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky | Overcast | Partly cloudy | Overcast | Light rain | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Partly cloudy |
| Temperature | 48° | 49° | 49° | 50° | 52° | 52° | 53° | 53° |
| Wind (mph) | 17 SW | 16 SSW | 10 SSW | 12 SW | 17 WSW | 17 WSW | 11 WSW | 10 WSW |
| Gusts | 30 | 26 | 17 | 14 | 28 | 29 | 22 | 15 |
| Waves | 3.6 ft | 3.1 ft | 2.6 ft | 2.6 ft | 2.8 ft | 2.8 ft | 2.5 ft | 2.4 ft |
| Rain | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
- 9:00 pm 53° 10 WSW 2.4 ft
- 12:00 am 51° 9 SSW 2.0 ft
- 3:00 am 51° 7 SSW 1.8 ft
- 6:00 am 52° 6 SSW 1.6 ft
- 9:00 am 53° 8 S 1.6 ft
- 12:00 pm 55° 7 SSW 1.4 ft
- 3:00 pm 55° 8 S 1.4 ft
- 6:00 pm 54° 5 S 1.4 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 48 / 53 °F | 18 mph SW | 3.6 ft | 11:10 am · 11:35 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 51 / 56 °F | 9 mph S | 2.0 ft | 11:51 am | |
| Fri 30 | 53 / 55 °F | 15 mph S | 2.1 ft | 12:25 am · 12:37 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 48 / 54 °F | 8 mph NW | 1.5 ft | 1:21 am · 1:29 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 48 / 51 °F | 7 mph WSW | 1.2 ft | 2:28 am · 2:33 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 50 / 53 °F | 12 mph WNW | 1.2 ft | 3:51 am · 3:52 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 45 / 51 °F | 6 mph W | 0.7 ft | 5:22 am · 5:17 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 45 / 50 °F | 10 mph SW | 0.9 ft | 6:40 am · 6:30 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 46 / 49 °F | 7 mph SSW | 0.8 ft | 7:36 am · 7:29 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 43 / 49 °F | 8 mph S | 0.9 ft | 8:20 am · 8:18 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 38 / 44 °F | 5 mph SW | — | 8:58 am · 9:02 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 43 / 47 °F | 6 mph SW | — | 9:33 am · 9:42 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 46 / 50 °F | 14 mph S | — | 10:05 am · 10:20 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 49 / 52 °F | 9 mph E | — | 10:36 am · 10:56 pm |
- Thu 29 Overcast 51° / 56° 2.0 ft
- Fri 30 Light rain 53° / 55° 2.1 ft
- Sat 31 Light rain 48° / 54° 1.5 ft
- Sun 1 Light rain 48° / 51° 1.2 ft
- Mon 2 Light drizzle 50° / 53° 1.2 ft
- Tue 3 Light drizzle 45° / 51° 0.7 ft
- Wed 4 Overcast 45° / 50° 0.9 ft
Each day comes from the best model covering this spot: regional ones first (HRRR and NBM in the U.S., AROME, ICON-EU), then ECMWF; day 16, NOAA GFS. Waves: Météo-France up to day 10, then ECMWF WAM, coarser and further offshore. High tides: our own tide calculation.
- The models Partly agree · medium confidence: unsure about rain today. See the models →
- Outlook Next few weeks, compared with normal: normal temperatures, normal rain and a slightly warmer sea. See the outlook →
- Normal Today, normal highs for late October (51 °F). Climate by month →
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 8:52 pm (local time).
The sun in Kirkwall
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 5:50 am
- Full dark 6:01 pm
- Civil dawn 6:37 am
- Civil dusk 5:13 pm
- Solar noon 11:56 am (18° high)
- Daylight 9 h 10 min (−5 min)
- Evening golden hour 3:28 pm
- Full dark 6:01 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,359,660 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Kirkwall
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,451 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: high- 12:34–2:34 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 1:06–3:06 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 11:08 am–12:08 pm Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 3:56–4:56 pm Minor · moonrise · medium activity
According to solunar theory, fish feed more when the moon passes overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 h) and when it rises or sets (minor periods, 1 h). It works best around new and full moon.
Upcoming moon phases
2026 moon calendar →- Last quarter Sun, Nov 1 · 8:29 pmNov 1 in 4 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 7:03 amNov 9 in 12 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 11:48 amNov 17 in 20 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 2:54 pmNov 24 in 27 days
Perigee on October 28, 226,426 mi away, coinciding with the spring tides from October 26 to 28: they will be stronger than usual.
Where to fish in Kirkwall
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Hatston Pier 1.2 mi
- Toy Ness WW1 naval pier 7.2 mi
- Holm Village Pier 6.4 mi
- Boat ramp 0.1 mi
- Hatston Slipway 0.5 mi
- Boat ramp 0.7 mi
- Boat ramp 3.7 mi
- Boat ramp 4.8 mi
- Boat ramp 5.0 mi
- Boat ramp 5.6 mi
- Boat ramp 6.4 mi
- Kirkwall bay shellfish 0.8 mi
Within 9.3 mi. A spot may be missing or closed. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps.
Water depth
Shallow, gradualShallow, gradual bottom: you need to go 2.6 mi out for 33 ft of water.
From the shoreline (550 ft from Kirkwall) out to sea, heading north.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep2 mi
- 33 ft deep2.6 mi
- 66 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Shallow, gradual bottom (16 ft at 2 mi): cast far from the beach and fish the high tide, when there is more water close in.
- Swimming. A very gentle way in with plenty of shallow water, good for kids. At low tide the water can be far out.
- Diving. Shallow near shore: you only reach 33 ft at 2.6 mi. For dives deeper than 33 ft, go by boat.
Source: EMODnet Bathymetry DTM 2024 (CC BY 4.0), cells of about 380 ft; depth at the lowest astronomical tide. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Nearest lighthouse
Kirkwall Old West Pier Lighthouse 0.1 mi northwest
- Built
- 1854
Other lighthouses nearby: Helliar Holm Lighthouse (3.1 mi northeast).
Data from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikidata · Sources and licenses
Tides near KirkwallTides nearby
- Saint Margaret's Hope11 mi
- Stromness12 mi
- Burwick17 mi
- Rackwick17 mi
- Pierowall23 mi
- Castletown31 mi
- Thurso34 mi
- Ackergill37 mi
- Staxigoe37 mi
Kirkwall at a glance
- Town or city of about 7,150 people. Coordinates: 58.985° N, 2.959° W.
- Its coast faces north.
Questions about KirkwallQuestions
What time is high tide today in Kirkwall?
Today in Kirkwall there are high tides at 11:10 am (3.8 ft) and 11:35 pm (3.9 ft) and low tides at 4:49 am and 5:07 pm. Tide coefficient 101.
What time is sunset today in Kirkwall?
At 4:30 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 5:13 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Kirkwall?
At 7:22 am. First light comes at 5:52 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 92% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 7:03 am.
When are the next spring tides?
From October 26 to 28, together with the lunar perigee: they will be stronger than usual.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 12:34–2:34 am, Minor 11:08 am–12:08 pm, Major 1:06–3:06 pm, Minor 3:56–4:56 pm. Today's activity is high.
What's the weather like today in Kirkwall?
Light rain, from 48 °F to 53 °F, with a gentle breeze from the west-southwest (10 mph) and a 100% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Kirkwall?
Slight (Douglas 3): 2.4 ft waves with a period of 5.2 s from the west-southwest. The water is 52.9 °F.
When is the best time to visit Kirkwall?
The best time to visit Kirkwall is from July to August: highs of 59 °F to 60 °F, about 12 rainy days a month and 5 hours of sunshine a day.
Can I use this data for navigation?
No. These are predictions for fishing and leisure; for navigation, use the official publications.
Where this data comes from
Tide: global FES2022 model (AVISO/CNES), licensed AVISO; constants for this place computed by TidePlanet from the nearest model cells offshore. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).