Water temperature in Orkney

This data the coastal Orkney sea water temperature today, tomorrow and the upcoming days. Besides, you can also get information about the weather and surf forecast, as well as the data on sunrise / sunset and moonrise / moonset at a given point on any given day.

Current sea temperature in Orkney

Water temperature in Orkney today is 13.5°C. Based on our historical data over a period of ten years, the warmest water in this day in Orkney was recorded in 2008 and was 13.4°C, and the coldest was recorded in 2012 at 11.6°C. Sea water temperature in Orkney is expected to drop to 12.3°C in the next 10 days. September average water temperature in Orkney is 12.8°C, the minimum temperature is 11.4°C, and the maximum is 14.4°C.

Throughout the year, the water temperature in Orkney does not rise above 20°C and therefore is not suitable for comfortable swimming. The average water temperature in Orkney in winter reaches 7.9°C, in spring 7.8°C, in summer the average temperature rises to 11.9°C, and in autumn it is 11.7°C.

Orkney water temperature now

The sea salinity in Orkney is 34.41‰, and the average salinity of the World Ocean is 35‰.

Surf Forecast in Orkney for today

Another important indicators for a comfortable holiday on the beach are the presence and height of the waves, as well as the speed and direction of the wind. Please find below data on the swell size for Orkney. We calculate the swell size based on the mean wave height (trough to crest) of each third highest wave. For more information on surf forecasts for the next ten days, please visit sea state forecast Orkney. Data in table shown for 26 September 2025, time in GMT 0 format (you can change the time zone on the sea state forecast page)

Surf report in Orkney

Orkney weather forecast

Current temperature and weather

Data in a table show Orkney temperature today (26 September 2025). For more information and forecast for a few days, go to the weather forecast Orkney.

0-3 h	3-6 h	6-9 h	9-12 h
13°C	13°C	13.1°C	13°C

12-15 h	15-18 h	18-21 h	21-24 h
13.4°C	13.8°C	13.3°C	13.3°C

Orkney water temperature by month

These figures shows the average, minimum and maximum monthly sea temperature in Orkney. In addition to the table values, the graph below displays of changes average surface temperature during the year. Values are calculated based on the data over the past 10 years. Using them, you can check the water temperature in Orkney on any day of this period that interests you. Click on the month link and you will see a table for each day, or alternatively you can view the temperature curve of the month and select 2 different years you want to compare, either in a table or as a curve

Chart monthly average water temperature in Orkney

The nearest beaches and cities from Orkney with the water temperature today, as well as the air temperature and the state of the weather during the day and the average wave height for today

	Water	Weather		Wave
Kirkwall	13.5°C	14°C		1.07 m
Scapa Flow	13.6°C	14°C		1.08 m
Stromness	13.6°C	14°C		1.2 m
John o' Groats	13.8°C	15°C		1.55 m
Wick	13.8°C	14°C		1.49 m
Bettyhill	13.3°C	15°C		0.99 m
Tongue	13.1°C	15°C		0.96 m
Durness	13.3°C	15°C		0.96 m
Sumburgh	13°C	13°C		2.25 m
Brora	13.6°C	15°C		0.71 m

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Orkney Islands, Orkney Isles

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Our report for Orkney is compiled using satellite data together with in-situ observations to get the most reliable daily data of sea surface temperatures, surf forecasts, current temperatures and weather forecasts.