Unstad
The world's most famous Arctic surf: a bay in Lofoten with northern lights in winter.
Unstad is a small bay in the Lofoten Islands, above the Arctic Circle, with a left and a right over rock and a beach break. It has been surfed since the sixties and now has a surf camp and an international Arctic surf contest.
In winter there are few hours of daylight and northern lights; in summer, midnight sun. Take your rubbish home: the environment is very fragile.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Point break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Best swell | NW, N, W |
| Best wind (offshore) | S, SE, SW |
| Tide | Low to mid |
| Size | 0.8–3 m |
| Best season | September to April |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
Loading the forecast…
Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A shortboard or fish; a funboard on small days. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Unstad
The water is around 6 °C in winter and 14 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
For water below 7 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
View on AmazonSeal a ding on the spot and keep surfing.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
An open, very international vibe.
Surfing style
Arctic point and beach waves.
Hazards
Rocks, very cold water and few daylight hours in winter.
Map
Other spots nearby
Flakstadøya (Lofoten)
A white-sand beach below granite peaks in Lofoten, an alternative to Unstad.
Hustadvika (Møre og Romsdal)
A beach with reefs near the Atlantic Road, in Møre og Romsdal.
Stad (Vestland)
Hoddevik's neighbour, by Ervik church: almost always bigger.
Stad (Vestland)
A reef on the Stad peninsula that only wakes up with big westerly swell.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.