Icelands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a slow start, no doubt about it, but the second half of this forecast is where the real magic happens. The first few days are messy with storm risk and marginal conditions. Don’t bother. The true standout is a long, clean run of glassy SSW groundswells that starts up around the end of July and keeps going strong through the first week of August. That’s the one you want.

Icelands (reef, exposed to swell)

Thursday the 23rd kicks off with a 1.5m SSE swell, but the wind is a moderate cross-off and the forecast is marginal. Combined energy is moderate at 500. Not worth it. This continues through the weekend—Friday the 24th has a 1.9m SSE swell, but the wind and thunderstorm risk kill it. Energy hits 823, but the scores are low.

Sunday the 26th afternoon shows a bit of a turn. The swell drops to 1.4m from the SSE, energy at 504, but the wind eases to a light 6 mph cross-off from the south, and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” It’s the first decent window. Water temp is 30°, which is a touch warmer than normal.

Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th see the swell drop to 0.7m, but by Tuesday afternoon the wind goes glassy calm, and the swell shifts to SSW with a long 15-second period. That’s a groundswell starting to fill in, even if it’s small. Energy is moderate at 373, but the glassy conditions are a major plus.

From Thursday the 30th of July, things get real. Thursday morning brings a 1.0m SSW groundswell with a very long 19-second period, energy of 968 (moderate), and light cross-off wind. Clean, building energy.

Friday the 31st of July is the first true standout. Morning shows a 1.0m SSW swell at 17 seconds, energy of 1028 (strong), and light cross-off wind. The forecast is “excellent for experienced surfers.” But Friday afternoon is the real gem: glassy calm wind from the SW, a 1.1m SSW swell with a 20-second period, and energy of 1587 (strong). That’s a very long-period groundswell hitting the reef with zero wind. Perfect for the crew who know how to handle a long-period reef wave.

Saturday the 1st of August is another standout. Morning has a 1.7m SSW groundswell at 17 seconds, energy of 1716 (strong), and a light offshore breeze from the ESE. The forecast is “excellent.” That’s a chest-to-head-high wave with offshore wind. Saturday afternoon goes glassy again with a 1.4m SSW swell at 16 seconds— clean and calm.

Sunday the 2nd of August morning is glassy with a 1.0m S swell at 18 seconds and energy of 1225. The afternoon gets a bit of cross-onshore wind, so go early. This pattern keeps rolling. Monday the 3rd of August has a 0.9m SSW swell at 20 seconds in the morning with light cross-off wind, and then Monday afternoon is glassy again with a 1.1m SSW swell at 20 seconds and energy of 1574. More excellent, clean conditions.

Tuesday the 4th of August is the biggest day. The morning sees a 2.0m SSW groundswell with a 17-second period, energy of 2178 (strong), and a light offshore breeze from the ESE. That’s overhead, powerful, and clean. This one is for the experts only— 2.0m is proper on a reef. The afternoon holds at 1.9m with similar conditions.

Wednesday the 5th of August morning is glassy with a 1.6m SSW swell, and Thursday the 6th of August afternoon is glassy again with a 1.6m SSW swell at 17 seconds and energy of 1433. The run fades a bit on Friday the 7th of August with a 1.7m SSW swell but cross-shore wind and marginal conditions.

Crowds at Icelands are “often,” so expect company during these prime days. The optimum swell direction is SSW, and that’s exactly what we’re getting. The long period (over 15 seconds) means the waves will have real energy and shape, but longer lulls between sets.

No other breaks are in the data, so Icelands is the focus. If you can’t get out during the last week of July or the first week of August, you’ll be waiting.

Rusty.

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