South Sanday (Kettletoft Bay): High water is 10 minutes before high water at Wick
Sanday Sound: Flows are weak in Sanday Sound, between Stronsay and Sanday, but strong in Spurness Sound.
Sanday, Tres Ness to Start Point: The flow is continuously north-eastwards.
Start Point, Sanday: The north going stream begins at 20 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The south going stream begins at 4 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. Timings are uncertain - see the tidal stream atlas. A race forms during the south-going stream.
North Ronaldsay Firth: The east south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 35 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The west north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 50 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. (Other sources give the east south-east going stream as beginning at 4 hours and 5 minutes after high water at Aberdeen and the west north-west going stream begining at 2 hours and 20 minutes before high water at Aberdeen). A race forms off Tofts ness during the south-east going stream which can extend a mile east of the Ness and far enough north to almost reach North Ronaldsay. During the west going stream, a race forms off The Lurn at the south-west tip of Ronaldsay, which can extend south more than a mile. During the east south-east going stream, an overfall forms off the Point of Burrian.
Eddy east of Tofts Ness, Scuthvie Bay: A north-going eddy likely forms here on the east-going stream in the North Ronaldsay firth, with a south-going eddy forming during the north-going flow at Start Point.
Eddy west of Tofts Ness: An eddy likely forms here during the west-going stream.
Otters Wick, Sanday: Streams are weak.
Between The Riv and Holms of Ire, North of Sanday: The tide flows east and west. The flow is sufficiently strong that it is said to 'render navigation dangerous'. Overfalls form over the Baa of Trevan, a reef three quarters of a mile north-east of the beacon at the end of The Riv. In poor weather, there may be rough and confused water at Whitemill point, The Riv and The Holms of Ire.
North part of North Sound: Halfway between Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay, near the Runabrake shoal: The east going stream begins at 4 hours and 5 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The west going stream begins at 2 hours and 5 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. The streams are weaker near Papa Westray, and stronger towards North Ronaldsay Firth.
West coast of North Ronaldsay: From Twinyess, the flow runs continuously northwards.
North coast of North Ronaldsay: The east going stream begins at 5 hours and 20 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The west going stream begins at 1 hours and 5 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. These times are uncertain, and flows of 8 knots have been reported. The flow is especially strong across Seal Skerry. A race forms during the west-going stream off the north end of the island. Races form at all of the salient points on the north of the island - the overfalls at Point of Sinsoss can be powerful even on a neap tide.
East side of North Ronaldsay: The north going stream begins at 4 hours and 5 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The south going stream begins at 5 hours and 20 minutes after high water at Aberdeen.
Linklet Bay: An eddy forms here, running clockwise during the main south-going flow (east-going flow on the north coast). This joins the main flow at a long line of breaking waves extending for several miles east and south from the Point of Sinsoss called 'Dennis Rost'.
South Taing, Ronaldsay: The north west-going stream divides near Reefdyke, a shallows 1 mile east of South Taing, with arms of the flow running through the North Ronaldsay First and north to Dennis Head. As a result, flows are likely not significant at South Taing.
Sanday, Whitemill Bay: (HY 687 466) g Track leads a short distance from the end of the road to a grass parking area and picnic site. Short carry to the beach.
Sanday, Scuthvie Bay: (HY 770 439) g Small parking area with picnic table at end of public road, a path leads down to the sea.
Sanday, Bay of Lopness: (HY 745 442) g Small parking area, signed as a viewpoint, by the sea.
Sanday, Kettletofy: (HY 659 385) g Small harbour with slipway. Parking nearby, across the road and along the road to the north.
Sandy, Backaskail Bay: (HY 652 392) g Track leads down to beach off end of public road. Small parking area off the track.
North Ronaldsay, Nouster: (HY 750 523) g Space to park by ferry terminal. There are steps down to the water on the east side of the pier. Alternatively, use the beach to the north.
North Ronaldsay, Dennis Head: (HY 787 554) g Space to leave a car on the grass by the sea.