Surf Forecasts:
Third Reef surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with 703 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period with SSW 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 05) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Third Reef in the next 16 days are 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 18s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 09) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 5th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 6th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Third Reef over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here, let’s break it down.
We start off on Sunday, July 5th, and it’s pretty lackluster. Small swell from the SSW at 2ft to 3ft with a long 18-second period, but the wind is light and cross or cross-onshore, making it sloppy. Water temp is 53°F and it’s running about 2°F colder than usual, so it’s nippy. The combined swell energy is weak, between 541 and 654. It’s marginal at best through Sunday and Monday.
Tuesday the 7th brings a moderate breeze out of the WNW, but the swell stays small and the cross-onshore wind ruins it. Energy picks up a bit (1077) Tuesday morning, but it’s still choppy. From Wednesday through Monday the 13th, it’s the same sad story: NW and NNW winds at 12-19 mph, cross-onshore, with poor surf. Swell height is 3ft to 4ft, period drops, and energy bounces around from 293 to 977. It’s a long stretch of junk.
Thursday the 16th of July finally gives us something. In the morning, there’s a 3ft WNW swell with a 19-second period and light cross-onshore breeze – still just marginal. But Thursday afternoon, the wind goes glassy calm, and the swell jumps to 6ft from the NW with a short 8-second period. Energy is moderate at 1146. This is the one standout for experienced surfers. That 6ft is too big for beginners, but clean glassy conditions at Third Reef will be sweet. Short period means it won’t have deep-water punch, but the flat surface will help.
After that, Friday the 17th through Monday the 20th, it’s back to cross-onshore winds and poor conditions, with small 2ft to 3ft swells. Energy fades to 373 by Monday afternoon. This whole stretch is rough for paddle surfing – with the constant cross-shore wind and lumpy waves, kite surfing would be a better bet.
Best call: Thursday afternoon the 16th at Third Reef. Glassy wind, 6ft NW swell, for experienced surfers only. The rest of the 16 days is mostly a dud.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue night, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | NW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | NW 7 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 218 | 399 | 207 | 258 | 407 | 663 | 485 | 637 | 651 | 596 | 601 | 539 | 643 | 441 | 377 | 377 | 367 | 339 | 268 | 272 | 292 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:21PM1.56m | 3:32AM1.39m | 4:52PM1.64m | 4:42AM1.24m | 5:29PM1.74m | 6:09AM1.14m | 6:11PM1.85m | 7:46AM1.12m | 7:00PM1.96m | 9:12AM1.17m | 7:53PM2.08m | 10:22AM1.25m | 8:48PM2.18m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:28AM0.09m | 10:10PM0.74m | 10:03AM0.24m | 11:16PM0.59m | 10:42AM0.41m | 00:23AM0.40m | 11:26AM0.58m | 1:28AM0.17m | 12:18PM0.73m | 2:31AM-0.06m | 1:17PM0.85m | 3:30AM-0.27m | 2:23PM0.92m | 4:26AM-0.45m | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 22 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SSW 16 | NW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | NW 10 |
| kJ | 187 | 187 | 196 | 196 | 407 | 341 | 485 | 637 | 651 | 596 | 601 | 539 | 643 | 441 | 377 | 377 | 367 | 339 | 268 | 272 | 292 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 20 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 20 | SSW 19 | — | S 18 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | — | NW 8 | WNW 9 | W 19 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 136 | 399 | 129 | 125 | 119 | 432 | 258 | 81 | 220 | 217 | 119 | 125 | — | 160 | 3 | 80 | — | 3 | 59 | 7 | 249 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | WNW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 21 | SSW 16 | S 12 | S 8 | S 21 | WNW 10 | — | S 19 | — | — | — | — | — | S 22 | W 18 | W 19 | S 19 |
| kJ | 218 | 68 | 207 | 258 | 260 | 226 | 11 | 5 | 35 | 64 | — | 118 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 6 | 7 | 29 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 6 | NW 10 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 9 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 239 | 663 | 334 | 167 | 192 | 100 | 228 | 230 | 292 | 392 | 253 | 226 | 210 | 179 | 108 | 271 | 118 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 141 | 112 | 0 | 283 | 386 | 0 | 195 | 385 | 0 | 211 | 386 | 3 | 283 | 385 | 29 | 265 | 386 | 29 | 265 | 856 | 3 |
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.
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