Icelands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead at Icelands, but it’s not all perfect. The first week is a bit of a mixed bag with some big energy, but also tricky conditions. The second week looks cleaner and more promising, especially for the more experienced crew.

We kick things off on Tuesday the 1st of September with a hefty 8ft SSW groundswell, period a punchy 17 seconds. The combined energy is strong at 3244. Problem is, it's cross-off winds at 12 mph, so it’ll be a bit lumpy. It’s an advanced reef break, so not for the timid. Water temp is 85°, bang on average for this time of year, so no wetsuit needed.

Wednesday the 2nd sees the swell drop a touch to 6ft, still from the SW with that long 16-second period. Winds stay cross-off, so expect a bit of chop. The energy is still moderate to strong (1509). It’s surfable if you’re keen, but not the pick.

Thursday the 3rd is interesting. Swell drops to 5ft, but we get offshore ESE winds at 6 mph in the morning. That’s a clean setup, though the period has shortened to 14 seconds. Energy is moderate (872). It’s a decent window for a more relaxed session.

Friday the 4th continues the theme: 4ft SSW swell, again with offshore ESE winds in the morning. Period is 13 seconds, energy down to 592. It’s clean but small. Good for a longboard or fish.

Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th get messy. Swell is around 3ft to 4ft, but winds pick up to 16 mph from the SE/SSE. That’s cross-off and choppy. Energy spikes a bit on Sunday at 1103, but the quality is poor. Not worth paddling out unless you’re bored.

Monday the 7th is more of the same—cross-off winds, weak energy, small swell. A write-off.

Then the goods start showing. Tuesday the 8th of September is the first real standout. We’ve got a 5ft S swell with a very long 19-second period in the morning, and by afternoon the wind goes glassy at 3 mph from the south. That’s perfection waiting to happen. Energy is strong (1631). The swell direction matches the optimum SSW direction nicely. Clean, glassy conditions on a reef break that can handle that period. Crowds are “often” here, so expect company. This is the best session of the entire forecast. For advanced surfers only at this size.

Wednesday the 9th keeps the run going: 7ft S swell, period 15 seconds, with cross-off winds at 9 mph. Energy is still strong (1782). It’s a bit bigger, so still only for the experts. Clean conditions in the morning.

Thursday the 10th holds 6ft SSW swell with a 16-second period. Morning winds are light cross-off, clean. Afternoon turns to a cross-chop, so be an early bird.

Friday the 11th sees a 5ft SSW swell with offshore E winds at 12 mph in the morning. That’s clean, punchy, and the period is 15 seconds. Energy is moderate (1104). Another excellent window for experienced surfers.

After a few days of smaller, less exciting swell (3ft to 4ft), the next true standout is Sunday the 13th of September. Morning brings a 6ft SW swell, period 16 seconds, with glassy winds from the north. Afternoon goes dead calm, glassy from the ESE at 0 mph. Energy is strong (1749). That’s two sessions of absolute glass. This is the second best on offer—perfect conditions for those who can handle a reef at that size. Crowds are likely, but it’ll be worth it.

Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th are smaller but still clean with glassy or light offshore winds. Swell sits around 4ft from the SW. Good for a fun, easy paddle.

Wednesday the 16th wraps things up with a 4ft SSW swell and dead calm WNW winds in the morning. Glassy as it gets. Period is 15 seconds. A mellow way to end the run.

Overall, if you want the cleanest, most powerful waves, circle Tuesday the 8th and Sunday the 13th. Both are for advanced surfers only, but the quality is unreal. For the rest of us, the smaller mornings with offshore winds on the 3rd, 4th, 11th, and 14th are solid calls.

Keep your wetsuit at home—it’s warm all the way through.

Rusty.

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