Third Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.03° N 124.08° W

Third Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 07 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Third Reef sea temperature is
12.1° C
0.8° 

Third Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Third Reef surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore 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★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s 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 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 TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 7th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 18s
Best Surf 2AM (Wed 8th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 18s
Most Powerful 2PM (Wed 8th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Third Reef over the next 16 days.


G’day, Rusty here. Look, I'm gonna level with you—most of this 16-day stretch for Third Reef is a write-off. We’ve got a brutal run of poor conditions to start, with cross-onshore winds and sloppy, choppy surf. Honestly, the first week and a bit is all about waiting it out. There’s a big gap of days with really nothing to recommend, from this morning right through to Friday the 17th. You’re looking at a whole lot of nothing.

Alright, so the first flicker of hope shows up on Friday afternoon, the 17th of July. The wind goes totally glassy, and the swell bumps up to 7 ft from the NW. This is big, solid groundswell—over 8 ft means it’s experts-only, so this one’s for the experienced crew. The wave energy is strong (1170), and with that calm wind, the surface will be clean. It's not a standout, but it's the first real chance you'll get.

Now, let’s talk about the true standout of the whole window. Saturday the 18th of July is your day. Morning session is where it’s at. Glassy conditions with a light SW breeze, and the swell kicks to a solid 8 ft from the NW. That’s a very long-period groundswell at 9 seconds—not super long period, but enough to pack a punch. The wave energy is huge (2299), which is a massive amount of power moving through. This is big, clean, powerful surf for experts only. The swell direction (NW) lines up perfectly with the break’s optimum WNW. Crowds here can be an issue sometimes, so get out early. This is the one to aim for if you’ve got the skills.

After that, Sunday the 19th morning looks marginal with an onshore breeze, but Sunday afternoon gets glassy again with a smaller 3 ft SW swell and a very long 17-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, but at a beach-reef setup like this, that long period might make it break a bit too straight. Something to keep in mind.

Monday the 20th offers clean conditions with offshore and cross-off winds, with chest-high NW swell around 5 ft to 6 ft. Good for intermediates, but not a standout.

We finish up strong on Tuesday afternoon and all of Wednesday the 22nd. Tuesday afternoon goes glassy with a solid 7 ft NW swell (energy at 1132), and Wednesday the 22nd has glassy conditions all day with 7 ft NW swell (energy around 1059). Both are excellent for experienced surfers, but they’re in the second week, so treat them as promising but not locked in.

Water temp is sitting at 54°, which is about normal for this time of year—nothing crazy there.

Stay patient, save your energy for that Saturday the 18th. That’s the one.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the NW by Thu afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Sun night).

Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
4
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
1
2
0
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SSW
20
0.9
SSW
19
1
SSW
18
1
SSW
18
1
SSW
17
1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
2.1
NW
7
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
1.9
NW
8
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
1.7
NW
10
0.8
SSW
14
1.3
NW
9
1.4
NW
7
1.6
NW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
485
637
651
596
601
539
643
452
377
377
403
275
268
242
252
171
524
229
243
178
241
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
20
NW
10
NNE
20
WNW
20
NW
15
N
25
NW
30
NW
15
N
25
NW
30
NNW
15
NNE
20
NW
25
NW
15
NNE
20
NW
15
NW
15
NNE
20
NW
15
NW
15
NNE
Wind State
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
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
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
11:19AM1.34m
9:44PM2.26m
12:11PM1.42m
10:39PM2.29m
Low Tide
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
3:31PM0.93m
5:18AM-0.56m
4:34PM0.90m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:56
5:56
5:56
5:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:46
8:46
8:46
8:45
8:45
8:45
8:45
 mm
Temp °C
13
14
13
14
16
18
16
20
17
20
21
18
18
22
19
16
15
17
18
19
20
Feels °C
10
10
11
11
13
14
12
14
12
15
15
14
15
17
15
13
13
15
14
16
17
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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