
Surf Forecasts:
Third Reef surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NW swell with 828 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with NW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Third Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Third Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Third Reef in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 14s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Third Reef over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a rough patch. The first week is pretty grim, honestly. The wind is stuck in a cross-onshore pattern for days, and the swell is a mixed bag of short-period junk. The water currently sits at a chilly 54°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. You’ll be fighting a lot of chop and bumpy conditions, so don’t get your hopes up for anything clean.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Friday the 17th. The morning still looks a bit choppy, but by Friday afternoon, it’s a game-changer. The wind drops to glassy, and we’ve got a 6 ft NW groundswell with a 9-second period. The combined energy is solid (922), and the conditions are shaping up for some very good surf. That’s your first standout.
Saturday the 18th is a bit of a mixed bag. The morning has cross-shore winds, but the afternoon goes glassy again. The swell drops to 3 ft, but it’s a long-period SW groundswell at 18 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell with plenty of energy (944), but those long-period swells can be a bit straight at a beach break. For a reef setup like Third Reef, it might actually line up nicely. It’s worth a look.
Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th keep the glassy theme going. Sunday morning has 2 ft SW groundswell at 16 seconds, and the afternoon bumps up to 3 ft from the same direction. The energy is still good (736 and 563). These are clean, long-period swells, but don’t expect much size. It’s small, but it’ll be smooth.
Now, if you’re looking for the best of the best, circle Thursday the 23rd. The morning looks glassy with a 6 ft NW swell at 9 seconds. The energy is pumping (799), and the wind is going to be perfect. That’s a solid, clean setup for a reef break. The afternoon ramps up to 7 ft, but the wind shifts to a light cross-on, so the morning session is the pick.
Friday the 24th also sees some solid swell—7 ft to 7 ft from the NW with a 9-second period. The energy is strong (1031 in the afternoon). The wind is light, but it’s onshore or cross-on, so it won’t be as clean as Thursday morning. Still, there’s plenty of power there for experienced surfers.
After that, the last few days of the month get bumpy again. The wind picks up and the swell gets messy, so it’s not really worth planning for.
Overall, the standout is Friday the 17th afternoon and especially Thursday the 23rd morning. Surf wise, the best of the long-range looks promising but less certain. Keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 6 | SSW 13 | NW 7 | NW 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | NW 6 | SW 16 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | SW 18 | WNW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
341 | 275 | 269 | 201 | 146 | 184 | 102 | 177 | 194 | 194 | 149 | 161 | 246 | 353 | 318 | 440 | 430 | 371 | 347 | 379 | 277 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 11:19AM1.34m | 9:44PM2.26m | 12:11PM1.42m | 10:39PM2.29m | 12:57PM1.50m | 11:34PM2.26m | 1:41PM1.57m | 00:29AM2.16m | 2:22PM1.63m | 1:24AM2.00m | 3:03PM1.69m | 2:20AM1.80m | 3:42PM1.73m | 3:18AM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:31PM0.93m | 5:18AM-0.56m | 4:34PM0.90m | 6:07AM-0.60m | 5:35PM0.84m | 6:53AM-0.56m | 6:33PM0.77m | 7:38AM-0.45m | 7:31PM0.71m | 8:20AM-0.27m | 8:32PM0.64m | 9:02AM-0.06m | 9:37PM0.58m | ||||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 8:45 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | NW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 14 | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 13 | WNW 9 | SW 16 | WNW 19 | WNW 18 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 |
217 | 223 | 225 | 127 | 118 | 184 | 69 | 104 | 194 | 194 | 87 | 108 | 159 | 280 | 318 | 440 | 430 | 343 | 347 | 281 | 208 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 15 | WNW 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | W 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WNW 19 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WNW 17 | WNW 17 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | SW 18 | WNW 16 |
25 | 25 | 229 | 66 | 76 | 43 | 51 | 61 | 65 | 89 | 103 | 161 | 205 | 159 | 145 | 344 | 313 | 371 | 288 | 379 | 277 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 18 | W 15 | W 16 | W 14 | S 13 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 18 | WNW 13 | S 13 | WNW 20 | WNW 20 | WNW 12 | W 12 | S 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 17 | WNW 16 | SW 16 |
25 | 4 | 46 | 33 | 31 | 133 | 44 | 113 | 58 | 30 | 135 | 151 | 30 | 11 | 11 | 231 | 179 | 74 | 297 | 284 | 91 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NNW 5 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
341 | 275 | 269 | 201 | 146 | 29 | 102 | 177 | 112 | 164 | 149 | 45 | 246 | 353 | 314 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 238 | 3 | 0 | 195 | 729 | 0 | 195 | 3 | 0 | 195 | 386 | 3 | 195 | 386 | 3 | 138 | 0 | 0 | 169 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Third Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Third Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Third Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Third Reef surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Third Reef) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Third Reef may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Third Reef is 85 km (53 miles) from Eureka. If you plan a vacation in Humboldt County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Eureka. Eureka has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










