Shapinsay: High water is 3 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Aberdeen
Egilsay: High water is 1 hours and 25 minutes before high water at Wick
Rapness Sound: High water is 2 hours and 5 minutes before high water at Wick
South west Sanday (Loth): High water is 30 minutes before high water at Wick
Stronsay (Whitehall): High water is 30 minutes before high water at Wick
Auskerry: High water is 3 hours and 15 minutes before high water at Aberdeen
Stronsay Firth, east of south Shapinsay: The south south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 50 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 50 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 2.2 knots at springs.
East coast of Shapinsay: The flow is almost continuously northwards.
Stronsay Firth, off Ness of Ork: The south south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 55 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The south south-east going stream reaches a speed of 4.3 knots at springs. The north north-west going stream reaches a speed of 3.4 knots at springs. Overfalls may form at Ness of Oak on Shapinsay and to the south-east of the Ness, where the south south-east going stream runs closer to south-east.
Eddy west of Ness of Ork: An eddy forms to the west of Ness of Ork during the north-west going tidal stream.
Stornsay Firth, halfway between Galt Skerry (Shapinsay) and Little Green Holm (Eday): The south-east going stream begins at 3 hours and 10 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north-west going stream begins at 3 hours before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 1.6 knots at springs.
Fall of Warness: Between Eday and Muckle Green Holm: The south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 20 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north-west going stream begins at 2 hours and 10 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The south-east going stream reaches a speed of 7.3 knots at springs. The north-west going stream reaches a speed of 6.8 knots at springs. For the first hour and 10 minutes, the south going tidal stream turns east around War Ness towards Eday Sound. After this, it runs south-east past the Ness. A race extends south-south west from War Ness and the entire channel is turbulent when wind opposes tide direction. Be aware that this is a planned site for tidal energy devices - look out for new buoys.
Eddy north of Muckle Green Holm: An eddy forms to the north of Muckle Green Holm during the north-going tide. The eddy meets the main flow at the north-east corner of Muckle Green Holm and the south-west corner of Little Green Holm.
South Coast of Eday: The east going stream begins at 4 hours and 35 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The west going stream begins at 2 hours and 10 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The east going stream runs for only one hour and 10 minutes, after which there is no flow until the west going stream begins.
Between Egilsay and Muckle Green Holm: The south going stream begins at 4 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north going stream begins at 2 hours and 5 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The south going stream reaches a speed of 5.1 knots at springs. The north going stream reaches a speed of 5.8 knots at springs.
Eddy on east coast of Egilsay: When the stream is running to the south in the channel east of Egilsay, an eddy runs north along the east coast all the way to Kili Holm.
Seal Skerry, Eday: The south south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 40 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 5.2 knots at springs. The tidal flow runs close to shore here, over kelp and shallow rocks, causing turbulence and waves.
Between north end of Egilsay and Fers Ness on Eday: The south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 40 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 5.3 knots at springs. Both streams begin earlier on the south-west side and later on the north-east side than they do in mid-channel. During the north-west going stream, there is little flow around Kili Holm.
South west of Rusk Holm: The south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north-west going stream begins at 50 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The south-east going stream reaches a speed of 4.9 knots at springs. The north-west going stream reaches a speed of 4.8 knots at springs. Overfalls can form over the shallows south of the island. The edge of the strong tide is roughly along lines from Seal Skerry to the SW corner of Rusk Holm and thence to Wart Holm.
Wart Holm: The east south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 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 3 knots at springs. Eddies and tide rips may extend 2-3 miles west-north west from Wart Holm between 4 hours and 45 minutes and 5 hours and 45 after hight water at Aberdeen. The flow is weaker inshore of Wart Holm.
Weatherness Sound: The north north-east going stream begins at 1 hours and 55 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The south south-west going stream begins at 4 hours and 5 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. Other sources suggest that the tide here and north of Fers Ness runs east for 4 hours and west for 8 hours, with the south south-west going stream starting at 5 hours and 30 minutes after high water Aberdeen. All the channels around Faray and the Holm of Faray flow swiftly and may have rough water. Lavey Sound dries to 1.6 m.
Sound of Faray: In the southern part of the Sound: The north going stream begins at 1 hours and 55 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The south going stream begins at 4 hours and 5 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. Flows are very much less in the northern part of the Sound.
Calf Sound: The north going stream begins at 2 hours and 50 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The south going stream begins at 3 hours and 25 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 6 knots at springs. During the north-going flow, a race forms in the north part of the Sound. Calmer water can be find near the shorelines of the Sound.
Lashy Sound: At the narrowest point, south east of Calf of Eday: The north north-east going stream begins at 2 hours and 50 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The south south-west going stream begins at 3 hours and 25 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 6 knots at springs. A race forms in these narrows with large white-capped waves. Flows in excess of 9kts have been reported.
North end of Eday Sound: By Stephens Gate: The north north-east going stream begins at 2 hours before high water at Aberdeen. The south south-west going stream begins at 4 hours and 25 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north north-east going stream reaches a speed of 4.5 knots at springs. The south south-west going stream reaches a speed of 5.6 knots at springs. The tide runs strongly past the end of the Loth Pier on Sanday.
Eddy west coast of Sanday, Eday Sound: A slow moving eddy forms on the east side of Eday Sound during the south-going flow in the Sound.
Eddy on west side of Eday Sound: During the north-going flow in the Sound, an eddy forms in and north of the Bay of Backaland on the east coast of Eday.
South end of Eday Sound: West of Holms of Spurness: The south south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 2.2 knots at springs. Conditions can be rough off The Bught on Eday.
West end of Spurness Sound: Between Holms of Spurness and Little Linga: The east north-east going stream begins at 3 hours and 10 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The west south-west going stream begins at 3 hours and 40 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The east north-east going stream reaches a speed of 3.6 knots at springs. The west south-west going stream reaches a speed of 4.3 knots at springs. The streams at Spur Ness and Links Ness are likely similar. A small overfall forms at Spur Ness.
Huip Sound, Links Ness, North of Stronsay: The east north-east going stream begins at 3 hours and 40 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The west south-west going stream begins at 3 hours and 10 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 3.5 knots at springs.
Sanday Sound: Flows are weak in Sanday Sound, between Stronsay and Sanday, but strong in Spurness Sound.
Papa Sound, Stronsay: Papa Sound, the passage between Stronsay and Papa Stronsay, has weak tidal streams.
Linga Sound and St Catherine's Bay, Stronsay: Tidal streams are weak in both the Bay and the Sound.
Off entrance to St. Catherine's Bay, Stronsay: The north going stream begins at 2 hours before high water at Aberdeen. The south going stream begins at 3 hours and 40 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north going stream reaches a speed of 1.8 knots at springs. The south going stream reaches a speed of 2.2 knots at springs.
Rothiesholm Head: The south south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 45 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 50 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 4.3 knots at springs. There can be rough seas at the Head when the tidal stream opposes wind or swell.
Off Bay of Holland, Stronsay: The east going stream begins at 1 hours and 40 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The west going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 1.8 knots at springs.
Between Mull Head and Auskerry: In mid channel: The south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 50 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 35 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. Overfalls may form over shallows south of South Taing on Auskerry.
Auskerry Sound: Between Stronsay and Auskerry: The east going stream begins at 1 hours and 40 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The west going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. Shallows to the north of Auskerry and around Ingale Skerry can cause significant races to form with large standing waves.
Lamb Head, Stronsay: The east north-east going stream begins at 2 hours and 40 minutes after high water at Dover. The west south-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 20 minutes before high water at Dover. The flow reaches a speed of 1.8 knots at springs. The sea can be rough off this headland.
East side of Stronsay: Between Odin Ness (Odness) and Lamb Head: The south going stream begins at 4 hours and 5 minutes after high water at Aberdeen. The north going stream begins at 2 hours and 20 minutes before high water at Aberdeen. The flow reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs. The sea can be rough at both Odin Ness and Burgh Head.
Eddy in Odin Bay, East coast of Stronsay: A north-going eddy forms in the Bay during south-going streams along the coastline.
Sandy Geo, Shapinsay: (HY 536 224) g Parking area near the end of a road down to to the sea.
Westray, Rapness: (HY 511 408) g Space to park at the ferry pier. Likely easier to get in at the beach at the head of the bay where fishing boats are hauled out.
Eday, Bay of Backaland: (HY 573 301) g Parking near pier and slipway, toilets. Steps opposite the ferry waiting room offer convenient access to the water.
Sanday, Spurness: (HY 604 340) g Large parking area and toilets at ferry pier. Access to sea off track to the north - carry down may be a bit steep.
Whitehall, Stronsay: (HY 656 284) g Should be possible to leave a car on or near the pier. Access to beach either side of pier.
Whitehall south, Stronsay: (HY 655 280) g Picnic area has space to park a vehicle close to beach.
Sand of Rothiesholm, Stronsay: (HY 636 247) g Small parking area at the end of a track. 100m carry to beach.
Bight of Matpow, Stronsay: (HY 638 250) g Likely possible to drop boats by pulling into a drive here, or at a passing place to the east. Short carry to the water. Park at the parking for the Sand of Rothiesholm, a 250 m walk.
St. Catherine's Bay, Stronsay: (HY 646 263) g Small parking area at end of track, 100m carry to sea.