Strike Mission Surf Spots
type: ItemList
description: Expert-verified surf spot database with detailed swell/wind parameters, hazards, and travel information
number of items: 2
item list element: Þorlákshöfn
item list element: Thorli
provider: Strike Mission
  type: Organization
  description: Surf forecast intelligence platform
date published: 2026-01-20
date modified: 2026-08-05T00:36:35.617Z

Þorlákshöfn
type: TouristAttraction
description: Þorlákshöfn (Thorlakshofn) is Iceland's most accessible surf spot—a black volcanic sand beach on the south coast that receives consistent North Atlantic swells. The water is brutally cold (6mm wetsuit minimum), and the weather can be brutal, but the waves are real and the setting is otherworldly: glaciers in the background, volcanic sand underfoot, and the possibility of Northern Lights while you surf. Arctic surfing at its most extreme and beautiful.
disambiguating description: 🇮🇸 Iceland's best • Black volcanic sand • Arctic adventure
geo: GeoCoordinates
  latitude: 63.8553
  longitude: -21.3778
address: PostalAddress
  address locality: South Coast
  address country: Iceland
  address region: Europe
additional property: Wave Type
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Beach
  description: This is a beach break, breaking both.
additional property: Optimal Swell Direction
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 200°
  description: Works best with swells from 200° (SSW). Workable range: 170°-250°.
additional property: Swell Size Sweet Spot
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 1m - 3.5m
  description: Ideal size: 2.3m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 3.5m.
additional property: Swell Period
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 10s - 14s
  description: Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
additional property: Optimal Wind
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 0° (N)
  description: Offshore wind from 0° (N). Offshore range: 315°-45°. Best window: both.
additional property: Tide Preference
  type: PropertyValue
  value: all
  description: Works best between 0.5m and 2.5m tide.
additional property: Primary Season
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
  description: Autumn-winter has most swell. Summer has midnight sun but less waves.
tourist type: Intermediate to advanced
warning: Warning
  text: 🌀 Strong rips, 🏝️ Remote
  description: Extremely cold water (6-12°C). Thick wetsuit essential. Remote location.
accessibility API: Nearest airport: KEF
  type: Place
  description: 50 minutes drive from KEF airport.
content rating: verified
contributor: Arctic surf explorers
llm context:
  difficulty: 5
  crowd level: 1
  water temp c: 9
  best board: shortboard
  swell physics:
    explanation: Swell direction must be within the workable range AND within the spot's coastal orientation. A south-facing beach cannot receive north swells, no matter the size or period.
    optimal direction degrees: 200
    workable range min: 170
    workable range max: 250
    sweet spot size m: 2.25
  wind physics:
    explanation: Offshore wind (blowing from land toward ocean) grooms the wave face. Onshore wind (blowing from ocean toward land) destroys wave quality. Wind tolerance varies by wave type.
    optimal offshore degrees: 0
    offshore range min: 315
    offshore range max: 45
    max offshore speed kmh: 35
  travel logistics:
    nearest airport: KEF
    drive time minutes: 50
    boat required: false
    boat cost usd per day: 0
    access notes: Drive from Reykjavik. Beach access near harbor.
  best season:
    primary months: 9
    primary months: 10
    primary months: 11
    primary months: 12
    primary months: 1
    primary months: 2
    primary months: 3
    primary months names: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
    secondary months: 4
    secondary months: 8
    secondary months names: Apr, Aug
    season explanation: Autumn-winter has most swell. Summer has midnight sun but less waves.

Thorli
type: TouristAttraction
description: Thorli is Iceland's most accessible quality wave—a right-hand reef break on the Reykjanes Peninsula where North Atlantic swells meet volcanic rock in one of Europe's most dramatic settings. The wave breaks over lava reef with steam vents and geothermal activity visible nearby, and the Northern Lights can illuminate evening sessions during autumn and winter. The water is cold but surprisingly not as frigid as the latitude suggests, thanks to Gulf Stream influence. For surfers seeking waves in truly unusual places, Thorli offers quality surf with a side of Nordic otherworldliness.
disambiguating description: 🌌 Northern Lights sessions • Volcanic reef • North Atlantic power
geo: GeoCoordinates
  latitude: 63.8203
  longitude: -22.6956
address: PostalAddress
  address locality: Reykjanes Peninsula
  address country: Iceland
  address region: Europe
additional property: Wave Type
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Reef
  description: This is a reef break, breaking right.
additional property: Optimal Swell Direction
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 250°
  description: Works best with swells from 250° (WSW). Workable range: 220°-290°.
additional property: Swell Size Sweet Spot
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 1m - 3m
  description: Ideal size: 2.0m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
additional property: Swell Period
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 10s - 14s
  description: Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
additional property: Optimal Wind
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 60° (ENE)
  description: Offshore wind from 60° (ENE). Offshore range: 20°-100°. Best window: morning.
additional property: Tide Preference
  type: PropertyValue
  value: mid
  description: Works best between 0.5m and 2m tide.
additional property: Primary Season
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Sep, Oct, Nov
  description: Autumn best. Consistent North Atlantic swells.
tourist type: Intermediate to advanced
warning: Warning
  text: 🪨 Rocks, 🌀 Strong rips, 🏝️ Remote
  description: Very cold water. Volcanic rock reef. Strong currents.
accessibility API: Nearest airport: KEF
  type: Place
  description: 45 minutes drive from KEF airport.
content rating: verified
contributor: Arctic Surfers guide
llm context:
  difficulty: 6
  crowd level: 2
  water temp c: 10
  best board: shortboard
  swell physics:
    explanation: Swell direction must be within the workable range AND within the spot's coastal orientation. A south-facing beach cannot receive north swells, no matter the size or period.
    optimal direction degrees: 250
    workable range min: 220
    workable range max: 290
    sweet spot size m: 2
  wind physics:
    explanation: Offshore wind (blowing from land toward ocean) grooms the wave face. Onshore wind (blowing from ocean toward land) destroys wave quality. Wind tolerance varies by wave type.
    optimal offshore degrees: 60
    offshore range min: 20
    offshore range max: 100
    max offshore speed kmh: 35
  travel logistics:
    nearest airport: KEF
    drive time minutes: 45
    boat required: false
    boat cost usd per day: 0
    access notes: 45min from Keflavik airport. Good road access.
  best season:
    primary months: 9
    primary months: 10
    primary months: 11
    primary months names: Sep, Oct, Nov
    secondary months: 3
    secondary months: 4
    secondary months names: Mar, Apr
    season explanation: Autumn best. Consistent North Atlantic swells.