Icelands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Icelands.

Alright, Icelands, we’re in for a blinder. This is a solid SSW groundswell train rolling in, and it’s gonna be hanging around for a good stretch. The water’s sitting at a warm 85°F, which is a little over half a degree above normal for this time of year – feels like a bath, just about average for the season, nothing crazy.

The first decent session kicks off Tuesday morning, 18th August. We’ve got a clean 6ft SSW swell with a 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell, lots of energy in the water (2237 combined energy). The wind is a light cross-off from the SSE, so the reef at Icelands is going to be looking smooth. The morning is the pick of Tuesday, the afternoon gets a bit cross-chop. This is a solid start, but it’s not the standout.

Wednesday morning, 19th August, is where the magic really starts to hit. The swell jumps to 8ft, still out of the SSW, and the period stretches to a very long 18 seconds. That’s a heap of water moving (3797 combined energy). Now, 8ft is getting into expert territory, and with that long period, it’s going to be a fairly heavy, powerful wave on the reef. The wind is a gentle cross-off from the SSE again, keeping it clean. This is the big one – for experienced surfers only, but it’s going to be pumping.

Thursday, 20th August, is another ripper. The morning has 8ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off. By the afternoon, the breeze drops to a light 6 mph, still cross-off, and the swell holds at 8ft. Very clean conditions all day. The energy is still high (over 2700). This is a long, solid run of quality surf.

The pattern continues through Friday, 21st and Saturday, 22nd, with the swell easing slightly (6ft to 7ft) but still holding that long period and clean cross-off winds. The water is glassy in the mornings. By Sunday, 23rd, the swell drops a little more but it’s still a clean 5-6ft.

There’s a bit of a lull early in the new week, with smaller, choppier afternoons, but the mornings stay clean. The energy drops off toward the middle of the week.

Wednesday, 26th August, the swell drops to 4ft, and the energy is weak (639). It’s a bit of a down period, but the forecast is optimistic for the end of the month.

The real second standout comes in the last few days of the month and into September. Sunday, 30th August, the swell picks up again to 5ft, but now it’s coming from the SW with a 17-second period. The energy is back up (1352). The wind is light from the SE.

Monday, 31st August, is a gem. The swell is 5ft from the SW, and the afternoon wind goes glassy – a light 3 mph from the SSE. Glassy conditions on a reef with a 5ft SW groundswell (15-second period) is about as good as it gets. This is a wicked session for a solid intermediate or advanced surfer.

The first few days of September are also looking clean with 5-5ft SW swell and light winds, so the run of surf is set to continue well into the forecast period.

The standout: If you’re an expert, the Wednesday, 19th August morning is the one to circle – 8ft, 18-second period, clean cross-off wind. For the rest of us, the Monday, 31st August afternoon is a dream – 5ft of SW groundswell under glassy conditions at Icelands. That’s classic.

Rusty.

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