Icelands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a long-range look at what’s brewing for our little corner of the world. It’s a bit of a slow start, but there’s a pulse of energy on the horizon that’s got my heart beating a little faster.

We’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands, as the opening few days of the forecast period are looking marginal at best. The first real sniff of action doesn’t arrive until the afternoon of Sunday the 6th of September, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph from the SSE and it’s cross-offshore, so the conditions aren't terrible. The swell is only 3 ft from the south with a long 17-second period, creating moderate wave energy (1094). It’s rideable, but it’s not the standout.

The real spark starts to build through the middle of the week. By the morning of Wednesday the 9th, we’re seeing 5 ft of SSW groundswell at 15 seconds, with a clean, cross-off wind. Then by the afternoon, the swell bumps up to 6 ft from the south with a 15-second period, delivering strong energy (1602). That’s solid, but we’re still waiting for that magic window.

Now, if you’re an experienced surfer, circle Thursday the 11th of September on your calendar. The morning session at Icelands is where it’s at. We’ve got a 5 ft SSW groundswell with a 15-second period, and the wind is a light 6 mph from the SSE, keeping it clean. The combined energy is strong at 1496. This is the first real standout for confident crew. The water temp is sitting at a balmy 86°, which is a little warmer than average for this time of year. It’s not freakishly hot, but it’s noticeable.

The swell keeps pumping through the weekend. Saturday the 12th pushes up to 6 ft from the SW with a long 19-second period in the afternoon, packing strong energy (2797). The wind holds as a moderate cross-off, but the period is so long it might make the beach break a bit straight. For the more experienced, it’s a wave of consequence. Then on Sunday the 13th, the morning shows 7 ft from the SW at 17 seconds, with moderate energy (2485), but the afternoon is the real gem. It’s still a solid 7 ft, but the wind drops to a light 6 mph from the SSE, offering a clean canvas. This is strong groundswell, so the sets will be widely spaced.

Looking further out, the second week keeps the energy alive, though it’s less certain. Thursday the 17th of September has a fascinating turn. The afternoon brings a 4 ft swell from the SW with a very long 17-second period, but the wind goes glassy at 3 mph from the south. That’s a rare, clean window, but the swell size is down. Then on Saturday the 19th, we see a return to form with 7 ft from the SSW at 16 seconds in the morning, with a gentle cross-off breeze. It’s a promising call, but it’s a long way out.

Overall, the standout sessions look like the morning of Friday the 11th and the afternoon of Sunday the 13th. That’s where the size, period, and clean wind line up for the experienced crew. Crowds are ‘often’ at Icelands, so expect company.

Rusty.

Read more