Surf Forecasts:
Third Reef surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with 505 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period with WNW 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s is also forecast. 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 0.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 15s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Third Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let’s break down Third Reef.
We’re starting with a rough patch. Through Thursday and Friday, it’s cross-onshore winds and small 2 to 3 ft surf with a long 17-19 second period, but choppy and messy. Combined swell energy is moderate (570-863). Leave your board in the car.
Saturday the 18th shows hope. Morning has light onshore wind and 3 ft at 16 seconds from the WNW, energy 780 (moderate). Marginal, but wind lightens. Saturday afternoon goes 3 ft SW at 18 seconds, barely a breeze but cross-onshore ripples. Still only a two-out-of-ten day.
Sunday the 19th similar – 3-3 ft, very light cross-onshore winds. Not clean.
Monday the 20th morning is a standout. Glassy, 3 ft from the SW at 16 seconds, energy 462 (moderate). Dead calm – clean little waves. Crowds are possible, so get in early.
Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd stay marginal, but Wednesday afternoon the 22nd goes glassy with 4 ft from the NW at just 7 seconds. Short period, so fat and mushy, but clean. Energy 335 (moderate).
Then we get a real pulse. Friday afternoon the 24th shows 3 ft SSW with a very long 24-second period, energy 1089 (strong). That’s groundswell – best for the reef as it might break too straight on a beach. Light cross-onshore, workable.
Saturday the 25th morning bumps to 4 ft SSW at 21 seconds, energy 1453 (strong). Gentle cross-onshore, fairly choppy, but with that period the sets will be clean and powerful. Not for beginners.
Sunday the 26th through Monday the 27th gets blown out again. Tuesday the 28th stays poor.
The real magic is Wednesday the 29th afternoon. Glassy calm, 4 ft SSW at 16 seconds, energy 1708 (very strong). Excellent for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, lined up. Thursday the 30th is also glassy both sessions with 4 ft SSW at 16 seconds. That’s your best window: the 29th afternoon through the 30th.
First week is mostly marginal, but Monday the 20th morning is a nice glassy window. The standout is the 29th afternoon to the 30th – glassy, solid SSW groundswell, and the reef will love that period. Crowds are possible, but with conditions like that, it’s worth it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Thu afternoon, calm by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 20 | NW 9 | SW 16 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | NW 8 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 218 | 205 | 203 | 318 | 344 | 390 | 371 | 362 | 375 | 273 | 263 | 439 | 346 | 261 | 299 | 302 | 248 | 165 | 437 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 00:29AM2.16m | 2:22PM1.63m | 1:24AM2.00m | 3:03PM1.69m | 2:20AM1.80m | 3:42PM1.73m | 3:18AM1.57m | 4:22PM1.76m | 4:22AM1.36m | 5:02PM1.77m | 5:40AM1.19m | 5:44PM1.78m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:38AM-0.45m | 7:31PM0.71m | 8:20AM-0.27m | 8:32PM0.64m | 9:02AM-0.06m | 9:37PM0.58m | 9:42AM0.17m | 10:44PM0.51m | 10:22AM0.40m | 11:52PM0.42m | 11:03AM0.61m | 00:59AM0.33m | |||||||
 | | |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | |
 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | 8:44 | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:39 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 17 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | SW 16 | WNW 19 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 16 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | S 13 | NW 8 | SW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 96 | 159 | 203 | 318 | 344 | 390 | 99 | 121 | 181 | 135 | 216 | 191 | 201 | 201 | 173 | 340 | 100 | 162 | 437 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | WNW 19 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | SW 17 | SW 17 | S 15 | S 14 | NW 8 | S 12 | S 11 | NW 8 |
| kJ | 161 | 205 | 159 | 143 | 296 | 177 | 371 | 362 | 375 | 273 | 263 | 439 | 346 | 458 | 496 | 136 | 139 | 88 | 120 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 20 | WNW 12 | W 12 | S 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | WNW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 14 | SSE 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 13 | WNW 12 |
| kJ | 218 | 30 | 26 | 11 | 74 | 74 | 132 | 297 | 280 | 132 | 201 | 165 | 231 | 261 | 299 | 302 | 248 | 87 | 29 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NW 9 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | NW 8 |
| kJ | 17 | 176 | 131 | 108 | 149 | 189 | 200 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 165 | 235 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 386 | 385 | 3 | 195 | 386 | 0 | 195 | 3 | 0 | 195 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 195 | 3 | 195 | 3 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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