Unstad
Norway · North Atlantic
Right now
DrizzleWind and swell direction
Swell: 1.4m NNW
Wind: 10 km/h NNW (onshore)
Beach faces: NW
Onshore wind (blowing from sea to land). Expect choppier, less defined waves.
Swell direction is a decent angle for this beach.
Today hour by hour
Updated 08:36Expected crowds
Prediction model v15amDawn patrol territory
7amMidweek quiet
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWhat to pack
- Cold water (6°C). 5/4mm wetsuit, booties and gloves.
- Strong winds on some days. Check the forecast each morning.
- Standard shortboard conditions.
Today's briefing
1.7m swell at 7s on a short period. Onshore wind creating some chop. Water temperature 6°C.
AI-generated summary for Unstad. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Unstad
Not enough data yet. Log a session to help build the accuracy score.
Best time to go
No great windows in the next 2 days
Best available option is Today around 5am (score: 26). Conditions are below the Good threshold but may still be surfable.
Crowd report
No recent check-ins. Be the first to report.
Session journal
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Create free accountTide
Approximate modelSwell forecast
7-day forecastDaily score breakdown
This week is looking above average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Unstad.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 3 days of logged conditions.
About Unstad
Unstad is an iconic, highly exposed cold-water break located in the Lofoten Islands, deep within the Arctic Circle of Norway. The bathymetry consists of a steeply graded bay featuring a mix of dark silica sandbanks in the centre and jagged boulder reefs on the flanks. As severe, low-pressure north-westerly groundswells track across the Norwegian Sea, they funnel directly into the bay, colliding violently with this sudden depth transition. A south-easterly offshore wind is essential to groom the massive faces and maintain the structural integrity of the steep lip. The wave mechanics produce fast, punchy A-frames in the centre and longer, highly mechanical lefts off the northern point. Due to the high volume of water moving across the shallow rock and sand, the wave generates substantial hydraulic force. The punishingly cold sub-Arctic water temperatures necessitate premium 6mm wetsuits, which restrict mobility. Therefore, Unstad is best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers possessing solid physical endurance.
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Create Profile →Frequently asked questions
How often is this page updated?
Current conditions refresh every 6 hours when the cron runs. Hourly data updates every 30 minutes. The 7-day forecast, luck factor, and packing notes are all pre-computed at the same time.
What is the luck factor?
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Unstad. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical late April.
How is 'best session' picked?
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Where does the data come from?
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Does the score capture local knowledge?
Honestly, no. Every break has tide windows, swell directions and reef contours that a global model cannot see. Treat the score as a starting point, then check a local cam.
When is the best time to surf Unstad?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.