Thorli
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.
Thorli surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to KEF, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Europe is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Europe — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Thorli trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (250°)
- Direction range
- 220° - 290°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ENE (60°)
- Offshore range
- 20° - 100°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 2m
Water temp
10°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: 45min from Keflavik airport. Good road access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Thorli?
Thorli is a reef break in Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Thorli?
Thorli picks up swell from the SW round to the WNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WSW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.9 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Thorli?
An ENE wind is dead offshore at Thorli, and anything from the NNE round to the E keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 7am to midday. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Thorli?
Thorli is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.5m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Thorli?
The most reliable run of swell at Thorli comes Sep to Nov, through the northern autumn. There's a second window in Mar to Apr too. Autumn best. Consistent North Atlantic swells.
How cold is the water at Thorli?
The water at Thorli averages around 10°C, so you'll want a 5/4mm with boots. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Thorli good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Very cold water. Volcanic rock reef. Strong currents.
How do I get to Thorli?
The nearest airport on our list is KEF, then it's roughly a 45-minute drive. 45min from Keflavik airport. Good road access.
Best Season
Peak: Sep-Nov
Secondary: Mar, Apr
Autumn best. Consistent North Atlantic swells.