Icelands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what's shaking over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we've got a solid run of surf on the horizon, but there's a bit of a wait for the really good stuff. The first few days are a bit average, but hang tight, because it builds into something special.

Starting on Friday the 11th, it's a bit of a mixed bag. Icelands is seeing a 5ft SSW groundswell with a long 15-second period, which is great for power, but that morning cross-off wind from the SSE isn't ideal. The wave energy is moderate (1545), but the forecast says the tide or something is messing with the quality, so it's more of a warm-up session. The afternoon gets worse with a full cross-shore chop from the south, so I'd give it a miss.

Saturday the 12th is where we start to see some life. Still a bit of storm risk around, but look at that morning – a 4.6ft SW groundswell with a super long 19-second period and light cross-off winds. The energy is starting to pump (2087). That afternoon jumps to 6.2ft, still from the SW, and the wind swings to a light southerly cross-off. This is the first standout window – clean, powerful waves for experienced surfers. Keep in mind, that a 19-second period swell like this, on a reef setup, is going to have long lulls between sets, but the sets themselves will be beautifully shaped.

Sunday the 13th keeps the good times rolling. We've got 6.9ft SW swell in the morning, dropping slightly to 6.6ft in the afternoon. The wind stays light and cross-off, keeping it clean. This is solid, powerful surf, but with the size pushing past 6.5ft, this is expert territory all the way. The wave energy is strong (2370 in the morning). This is a prime window for those who can handle it.

Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th drop back a bit. Swell settles to 5.6ft-5.9ft, the period shortens, and the score drops. The energy is still moderate, but the forecast flags some marginal conditions. The wind holds cross-off, so it's not a total loss, but not the peak.

Wednesday the 16th through to Friday the 18th the swell sits around 4.3ft to 5.2ft. The winds are mostly cross-off, keeping things clean, but the energy dips down into the 700-1000 range. It's surfable, but nothing to write home about.

Here's where it gets interesting. Saturday the 19th we get a new pulse. A 3.3ft SSW groundswell in the morning with an 18-second period is clean, but the real story is the afternoon, jumping to 5.9ft with a 17-second period. The wind is light cross-off. That Sunday the 20th holds 5.9ft from the SSW, staying clean with light winds. The wave energy climbs back to the 1600-1900 range. This is the start of another solid window.

Monday the 21st keeps the good string going: 5.2ft SSW swell, light to almost no wind. For Tuesday the 22nd, we see a shift. A very long 21-second period swell from the SSE comes in at only 2.6ft, with totally offshore ESE winds. This is a subtle, clean, and very special wave for those who know how to read it, but it’s small. That afternoon, the wind shifts and the swell direction changes, so it gets a bit messy.

Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th are the absolute best on offer. The swell builds back up to 5.2ft-5.9ft from the South. The wind is the star here – Wednesday afternoon we get glassy conditions with light SE winds, and Thursday holds clean cross-off breezes. The wave energy is pumping (1935-2388). This is clean, lined-up surf in the 5ft-6ft range, which is perfect for a wider range of experienced surfers. This is the clear standout of the whole outlook.

Finally, on Friday the 25th, the swell direction swings back to SSW with a very long 20-second period, delivering 4.6ft in the morning and 5.6ft in the afternoon. The energy jumps to 3399, which is strong. With light winds, this is another day of exceptional quality for the experts.

Saturday the 26th caps it off with 6.6ft SSW swell and light winds, clean and powerful to end the run.

For the whole period, Icelands (a reef break) is the only game in town here, and it's exposed to the SSW swell, which lines up perfectly with its optimum direction. The water temp doesn't have an anomaly listed, so it's probably about average for this time of year. A quick note: this spot is an advanced break, so if you're not comfortable on a reef in head-high to overhead surf, sit this one out. Expect crowds here often. The standout windows are the 12th-13th and the 23rd-24th-25th. Get on it.

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