canIswim

What wetsuit do you need in Iceland?

The one suit that covers most of the swimming season, for 5 coastal cities in Iceland.

City Coldest Warmest One suit for the season
Reykjavík 4.3°C Feb 11.7°C Aug 5/4 mm, and not alone
Keflavík 4.9°C Feb 11.5°C Aug 5/4 mm full suit
Selfoss 5.7°C Feb 12.1°C Aug 5/4 mm full suit
Akranes 3.3°C Feb 11.7°C Aug 5/4 mm, and not alone
Ísafjörður 2.4°C Mar 9.8°C Aug 5/4 mm, and not alone

Thicknesses above are for swimming. Surfing the same water wants a step more — most of a session is spent sitting still in the wind rather than moving and immersed. Each city page gives both, along with when you need boots, gloves and a hood.

Boots below 14°C, gloves below 12°C, a hood below 10°C. Where the numbers come from