Icelands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Icelands.

First thing you need to know: the water is sitting at 86°F, which is about 2°F warmer than what’s usual for this time of year. Not a massive shift, but you’ll notice it’s a touch toastier than average when you’re sitting out there.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but once it gets going, there’s some real quality on the horizon. Saturday morning, the 18th, kicks things off with a 4ft SSW swell and a 14-second period. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NE at 3 mph, keeping things clean. The energy is moderate at 572, and it’s a nice, manageable size. Saturday afternoon turns glassy with a NW wind at 3 mph, and the swell holds steady. That’s a solid, clean session.

Sunday the 19th is a write-off. The wind swings NW and cranks up to 12 mph, blowing cross-on and then onshore. The surf gets chopped up and messy. Skip it.

Monday the 20th sees a bigger pulse of SSW swell, hitting 6ft with a 17-second period, but the wind is onshore in the morning and cross-shore in the afternoon. The energy jumps to 1679 (strong) but the conditions are only marginal. Not the best for a paddle session.

Tuesday the 21st is where it starts to come together. The swell drops a touch to 5ft, still from the SSW, with a 14-second period. Morning wind is offshore from the E at 6 mph, and the energy is 958 (moderate). The afternoon goes cross-offshore from the SSE at 3 mph. Clean, lined-up waves. This is a good day.

Wednesday the 22nd keeps the clean theme going with a 4ft SSW swell, cross-offshore winds, and moderate energy. Thursday the 23rd through Saturday the 25th sees a shift to a shorter-period SSE swell (9-10 seconds), with the swell size between 5ft and 6ft. The wind stays cross-offshore, but the shorter period means less punch. The energy stays moderate. It’s surfable, but not the standout.

Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th drop back to smaller SW swell, 2ft to 3ft. The energy goes low. The real gem on Monday the 27th is the afternoon: glassy conditions, a 2ft SSW swell, but a 19-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell. Those waves will have real shape and push for their size, and at a reef break like Icelands, it’ll be a treat. Paddling out will be easy between sets.

Now, the real highlight. Tuesday the 28th. Morning and afternoon both serve up glassy conditions with a 4ft to 5ft SSW swell and a 17-second period. The energy is strong (1129 and 1164). This is clean, powerful, long-period swell – perfect for a reef break. The direction is right on the money for optimum SSW. This is the best session on offer. It’s for experienced surfers though, as the long period will make it suck harder and the waves will have some punch.

The following week builds towards another big one. Thursday the 30th has a very long 20-second period, but the swell is small at 3ft. Then, Friday the 31st of July is a standout. The swell jumps to 7ft to 8ft from the SSW with an 18-second period. The energy is massive (3480 and 3601). With light cross-offshore winds and glassy conditions, this is big, clean, powerful groundswell. This is for experts only – over 8ft is expert territory, and 8ft is right on the edge. The reef will handle the long period beautifully.

Saturday the 1st of August and Sunday the 2nd of August hold strong, with the swell tapering from 7ft down to 6ft, still with good SSW direction and clean, light winds. The energy remains strong. Consistent, quality runs right through to the end of the forecast.

Overall, the standout days are Tuesday the 28th and Friday the 31st of July. The 28th is the perfect combo of size, glass, and period for a solid session. The 31st is the big energy day for the brave. The whole run from the 28th through to the 2nd of August is solid.

The reef at Icelands can get crowded, especially on the good days, so get in early.

Rusty.

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