Vík í Mýrdal (Suðurland)
ReefExpert
A rock right next to Iceland's southernmost village, among black-sand beaches.
The Gulf Stream slightly warms the south coast, but the water is still very cold: 4–6 °C in winter and 10–12 °C in summer. You need a 6/5 or thicker wetsuit, hood, booties and gloves. The weather changes very quickly, there are few daylight hours in winter and many beaches are isolated: don't surf alone and tell someone your plans.
Map
Ölfus (Suðurland)
Point breakExpert
Iceland's most famous wave: a powerful right by the harbour breakwater.
Reykjanes
ReefExpert
A lava reef by Grindavík lighthouse, on the Reykjanes peninsula.
Reykjanes
Beach breakExpert
A black-sand beach at the tip of Reykjanes, with powerful waves and strong currents.
Reykjanesbær (Reykjanes)
Beach breakExpert
A hamlet on Reykjanes' west coast with powerful rights and nearby reefs.
Suðurnesjabær (Reykjanes)
ReefIntermediate
An easy reef by Garður lighthouse, at the northern tip of Reykjanes.
Seltjarnarnes (Reykjavík)
ReefExpert
Reykjavík's reef, by Grótta lighthouse, which only works in big swell.
Höfn (Austurland)
Beach breakIntermediate
Black-sand dunes below Vestrahorn mountain, in south-east Iceland.
Vestfirðir (Westfjords)
Beach breakIntermediate
A golden beach at the western edge of Europe, in the Westfjords.
Tjörnes (Norðurland)
Beach breakAll levels
A small beach on the Tjörnes peninsula, near Húsavík, with clean waves both ways.
Conditions at a glance
| Spot | Wave type | Level | Best swell | Best wind (offshore) | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vík | Reef | Expert | SW, S, W | NE, N, E | All tides |
| Þorlákshöfn | Point break | Expert | S, SW | N, NW, NE | Mid |
| Grindavík | Reef | Expert | S, SW, SE | N, NE, NW | High |
| Sandvík | Beach break | Expert | W, SW | E, NE, SE | Mid |
| Hafnir | Beach break | Expert | W, SW, S | E, SE, NE | Mid |
| Garður | Reef | Intermediate | W, SW, NW | E, SE, NE | High (about two hours either side) |
| Grótta | Reef | Expert | W, NW, SW | E, SE | Low to mid |
| Stokksnes | Beach break | Intermediate | SE, E, S | W, NW, N | All tides |
| Breiðavík | Beach break | Intermediate | NW, W | E, SE, S | All tides |
| Eyvík | Beach break | All levels | N, NW | S, SW, SE | All tides |
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.
Which wetsuit to bring
The water is around 5 °C in winter and 11 °C in late summer.
6/5 hooded wetsuit
For water below 7 °C.
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5 mm booties
Warm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
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Wetsuit gloves
In water this cold, your hands go numb first.
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