Sailing to and from Orkney

This guide provides a brief introduction to getting to and from Orkney. You are strongly advised to read this in conjunction with the charts and pilot books relevant to these waters (see http://www.orkneymarinas.co.uk/sailing_orkney.asp).

The major pilotage consideration when sailing to Scapa Flow from the South is crossing the Pentland Firth. When sailing to Scapa Flow from the West, the timing of entry to Hoy Sound is important.

Heading to Scapa Flow and Stromness from the South When crossing the Pentland Firth, avoid strong (F6 and above) wind against tide conditions and plan your use of tides carefully. Spring tides can run at very high rates as you will see from the tidal atlas, so if possible aim to transit with neap tides if any significant wind is expected.

Wick Harbour is a good starting point for the journey to Orkney. Whether leaving from Wick or further afield, aim to arrive at a point roughly halfway between Duncansby Head and the Pentland Skerries at slack water, before the start of the westgoing ebb tide. From there head towards Lother rock and then enter the middle of Hoxa Sound. The tidal rates fall quickly and there is very little significant tide in Scapa Flow.

When heading south from Scapa Flow, leave via Cantick Head and aim to arrive halfway between the islands of Stroma and Swona at slack tide, before the start of the eastgoing flood tide. From there head southeast round Duncansby Head.

Heading to Kirkwall from the South This passage outside the Pentland Skerries and round the island of Copinsay is relatively straightforward. It is important to give a wide berth to the Sandy Riddle, a bank which runs southeast from the Pentland Skerries. The tides run strongly over this bank and in wind against tide conditions the sea can be nasty. Go well east of this bank to find easier conditions. Aim to approach Kirkwall via The String with a favourable tide.

Approaching Stromness and Scapa Flow from the West The tides can run strongly in Hoy sound. Transits are best begun at slack water. In particular, avoid transiting the sound when there is a strong ebb tide. This is particularly true with westerly wind against the ebb tide, but breaking waves can also form with no wind if there is a large swell from the northwest against a westgoing ebb tide.

When heading for Stromness or Scapa Flow from the west, you should aim to enter Hoy Sound at slack tide just before the start of the eastgoing flood tide.

If you arrive early you can either wait for the ebb to end or approach carefully on the south side of Hoy Sound and look at the current wave conditions during the ebb before entering the Sound.

Seas in Hoy Sound are always much calmer on the eastgoing flood tide, even with winds up to 30 knots against the flood tide.