Westray tide times

Westray is the largest of Orkney's northern islands, 15 km north of the Mainland across Westray Firth, with an Atlantic-exposed west coast and a more sheltered eastern shore facing Sanday Sound. The spring tidal range at Westray is approximately 2.5 m. The firth crossings to the Mainland and between the northern islands run strong tidal streams — Westray Firth peaks at 3–4 knots on spring tides — and the Atlantic west coast of the island is swell-exposed in a way that the inner Orcadian sounds are not. The island's geography presents two very different coastal environments within a few kilometres of each other.

Noup Head, at the northwest corner of Westray, is one of the most important seabird colonies in Britain. The RSPB reserve at Noup Head holds over 100,000 guillemots breeding on the sea cliffs in summer, alongside razorbill, puffin, kittiwake, and fulmar. The cliffs rise to 75 m above the Atlantic and face directly west; on days when an Atlantic groundswell is running, the sound and spray from the cliff base are overwhelming. The best viewing is from the cliff-top path in the RSPB reserve — the birds are close enough to photograph without a long lens in the breeding season (May through July). Access is by a minor road from the village of Noup; the 3 km cliff walk from Noup Head south to the Point of Noup and back is the standard route.

The island's only ferry runs from Pierowall on the east coast to Rapness at the southern tip, connecting with the Kirkwall–Westray ferry service operated by Orkney Ferries. The ferry route from Kirkwall to Westray crosses Westray Firth, where the 3–4 knot spring current produces a noticeable set on the ferry's course — navigation on the firth in small craft requires a substantial ferry glide to maintain the desired ground track. Kayakers crossing from the Mainland to Westray use the neap tides and slack water windows; the crossing is approximately 15 km from Evie to Westray.

The Bay of Pierowall, on Westray's northeast coast, is the main sheltered anchorage and the location of the village, pier, and most of the island's facilities. Boats using Pierowall are protected from southwest and west wind by the island's bulk; northeast and east swells can enter the bay. The ferry pier gives access at all states of tide for the Orkney Ferries vessel. Visiting yachts anchor in the bay in moderate holding; the tidal stream in the bay runs 1–1.5 knots on springs.

Papa Westray, the tiny island immediately north of Westray, is served by a 2-minute scheduled flight from Westray airport — the world's shortest scheduled commercial air service. The Loganair Twin Otter covers the 2.7 km between the two islands; the service primarily exists for the 70 residents of Papa Westray who would otherwise depend entirely on the ferry. The ferry from Westray to Papa Westray takes 25 minutes. Both islands have Neolithic remains: the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray is the oldest preserved stone house in northern Europe, dating to 3700 BC.

The Westray Wife — a 5,000-year-old carved stone figurine found during excavations at the Links of Noltland Neolithic site — is one of the most significant Neolithic artefacts found in Britain. The original is in Kirkwall Museum; a replica is displayed at Westray Heritage Centre in Pierowall. The Links of Noltland site, still being excavated, continues to produce finds that reshape understanding of Neolithic Orkney.

Pierowall village is the social and commercial hub of Westray: the school, the pub, the post office, and the Westray Heritage Centre (housing replicas of the Westray Wife and other Neolithic finds) are all within 300 m of each other on the east shore of the Bay of Pierowall. The bay faces east across Westray Firth toward Rousay island; at low spring tide the inner bay shallows to less than 0.5 m and exposes firm sand suitable for beach walking and bird watching. Oystercatcher, redshank, and curlew work the intertidal zone year-round; migrant waders in autumn (August–October) include smaller numbers of purple sandpiper, sanderling, and occasional American vagrants driven across the Atlantic by autumn storms. All tide predictions for Westray come from the Open-Meteo Marine gridded model. Timing accuracy is ±45 minutes; height accuracy is ±0.3 m above Chart Datum.