Sandvik Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (8 °C) at Sandvik is very cold. Despite the sun, surfers will need to wear a good steamer wetsuit, a neoprene hood, gloves and boots. Relatively mild air temperatures and a windchill factor of (10 °C).

Map of current Iceland Surface Water Temperatures based on measurements from oceanographic satellites

Map of current Iceland Sea Water Temperature Anomalies (compared with long term averages at this time of year)

(click thumbnails to expand)

Below is a graph of Historical Sea Surface Temperature for Sandvik. This has been derived from analysis of two decades of oceanographic satellite measurements of nearby open water. We have calculated the average water temperature variation around the year as well as the extremes that have been observed on each date.

All of the graphs for the surf breaks presented on Surf-Forecast.com are on the same scale to enable comparison between locations around the world.

Sandvik sea temperatures peak in the range 10 to 13°C (50 to 55°F) on around the 13th of August and are at their minimum on about the 22nd of March, in the range 6 to 7°C (43 to 45°F). At its highest in the third week of August, low sea temperatures at Sandvik are suited to a 5/4mm or 5/3mm good quality wetsuit with neoprene gloves and 3mm boots. You will need a hood if it's windy or the air is cold. The minimum sea temperatures at Sandvik mean that you will need a flexible 6/5/4mm wetsuit or a well fitting 5/4mm wetsuit with gloves and 5mm neoprene booties and a hood to surf here in the second half of March.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Sandvik can vary by several degrees compared with these open water averages. This is especially true after heavy rain, close to river mouths or after long periods of strong offshore winds. Offshore winds cause colder deep water to replace surface water that has been warmed by the sun. Air temperature, wind-chill and sunshine should also be considered before deciding on the kind of wetsuit needed to stay warm when surfing at Sandvik. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.