Þorlákshöfn (Thorli)

Þorlákshöfn · Iceland · Iceland

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Þorlákshöfn (Thorli) (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/thorlakshofn.

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Iceland's best-known wave, at the fishing town of Þorlákshöfn on the south coast, about an hour from Reykjavík. On a big south swell, long, powerful rights break over boulders and volcanic rock next to the harbour, with a deep channel for paddling out. There are more peaks in the wide black-sand bay. Plans to expand the harbour put the wave at risk.

Level
Advanced
Break
Point break, rock
Waves
Rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard or step-up; a fish or mid-length on smaller days in the bay.

When it works

✓ A big south swell, about 2 m or more, with a west or south-west wind, at mid tide.

When it doesn't

✕ Small swell, and easterly onshore wind.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • reef

Best months

January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December

Local tips

Use the channel to paddle out. There is no surf shop in town: bring your own gear or rent from a tour operator in Reykjavík, and book ahead. Icelandic reefs are sharp basalt and often shallow. Never surf a new break alone. The sea is only about 3–6 °C in late winter and 10–12 °C in late summer: a 5/4 or 6/5 hooded wetsuit with thick boots and gloves all year. Winter days are very short.

Getting there

In Þorlákshöfn, about an hour's drive from Reykjavík.

Travel notes

How often it works
South-west Iceland is open to North Atlantic swell from several directions. October to March brings the most frequent and powerful swell, along with storms that can make it unsurfable; May to August has flat spells, especially in the south-west. Þorlákshöfn is one of the most consistent waves in the country.
Crowd and vibe
One of the most surfed spots in Iceland, but rarely crowded by other countries' standards.
Camping and vans
The Þorlákshöfn town campsite is about 1 km away. Nearest campsite about 0.9 km away.
Facilities
Town services in Þorlákshöfn; no surf shop.
Water quality
Iceland is not in the European Environment Agency bathing-water data, and we found no official water-quality rating for this beach.

Ideal conditions

Swell
SSE–SW best, SE–WSW works
Size
2–3.5 m offshore swell; starts at 1.5 m, holds to 4.5 m
Period
9 s minimum, best from 13 s
Wind
Offshore SW–NW; handles onshore up to 15 km/h
Tide
mid best
Faces
SE (130°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in Iceland · All spots

Sources