Icelands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and let’s break down the surf ahead.

We’ve got a solid run of waves coming, not a flat day anywhere. The first proper swell hits this Thursday afternoon, so there’s no waiting around.

The standout spot is Icelands. It’s a reef break that loves a SSW swell, and that’s exactly what’s on offer for most of the period. The real peak is late August into early September, but it’s the last week of August that’s got me excited.

Thursday afternoon starts us off with a 1.8m (about 6 ft) SSW swell, with a very long 18-second period. That’s proper groundswell. The combined swell energy is 2151 (moderate to strong). The wind is a light cross-shore, so it won’t be glassy clean, but it’s still very surfable for experienced folks. Water temp is 30°F? No, sorry—water temp is 30°C, which is about 85°F and pretty average for this time of year.

Friday morning cleans right up. Still 1.8m from the SSW, period at 16 seconds – still long and packed with energy. Wind goes cross-offshore with a light breeze, so expect clean waves. Energy is strong at 1718. Friday afternoon holds with 1.7m and that same clean cross-off setup.

Saturday the swell backs down a bit – 1.3m in the morning, then 1.2m in the afternoon. Still clean, but the energy drops into the 600–700 range, getting weaker. Still a fun paddle, but not the pick.

Sunday morning is a wildcard. Only 0.9m, but the period jumps to 21 seconds. That’s very long period groundswell, and the energy is 1389 – moderate, but that long period can make the reef feel bigger. Wind is light cross-off, clean. Could be a sneaky good session if the size works.

Then we hit the big one: Monday the 31st of August through Tuesday the 1st of September. Monday morning has 1.6m, SSW, 18 seconds, clean with a gentle cross-off. Energy 1849. Monday afternoon bumps to 1.9m – about 6 ft – same direction, 18-second period, and a combined energy of 2454 (strong). Still clean. That’s the prime window.

Tuesday morning hits 2.1m (nearly 7 ft) from the SW, 17 seconds – that’s serious, experienced-only territory. Wind is light cross-off, clean, energy at 2617 (very strong). Tuesday afternoon holds at 2.1m, 16 seconds, energy 2457. Absolutely pumping for a reef.

Wednesday the 2nd of September still has good 1.6m and 1.5m, clean, but the period and energy start to ease. Still quality, just not the peak.

From Thursday the 3rd onward, the size drops and we get more risk of thunderstorms, though the wind stays favorable – mostly cross-off and light. Swell runs 1.2m to 1.6m through the end of the first week, with energy in the 700–800 range, moderate. Still clean and fun, but you’ve missed the best if you didn’t hit Monday-Tuesday.

Second week is smaller and more inconsistent. There’s a lull around the 5th and 6th of September with 0.8m to 0.9m, but it’s not flat. By the 7th we see a small pulse of 1.4m, and energy tries to climb but never gets close to the earlier numbers. The 9th and 10th get messy – onshore and strong on the 9th afternoon – but then Thursday the 10th afternoon brings a late bounce: 1.5m SSW, 17 seconds, near glassy with a slight air breeze, energy 1791. Promising, but less certain this far out.

Overall, Icelands is the spot. Expect good crowds since it’s often busy. The best of the best is Monday the 31st of August through Tuesday the 1st of September – big, clean, powerful SSW groundswell.

Rusty.

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