Surf Forecasts:
Third Reef surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 659 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 10s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 10s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Third Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for us.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start here, folks. The first few days are looking pretty marginal, with small, energy-sapped swell and a persistent cross-onshore wind that’s going to chop things up. The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
The first real window of opportunity opens up on Wednesday, September 9th, in the afternoon. We’ve got a long period groundswell from the SW at 19 seconds, pushing 2ft, and the wind will go totally glassy. That’s a major positive. The combined energy of all swells directed here is moderate (397). It’s a short-lived window, but it’ll be clean.
Then, hold onto your boards, because Thursday, September 10th, is the standout. The morning session at Third Reef sees a clean 3ft SW swell, with a 17-second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze from the NE. This is going to be clean, organized, and have some real push to it. The combined energy is moderate (574). The afternoon is looking similar, with a gentle cross-offshore breeze. This is the best on offer, hands down.
Friday, September 11th, has a bit of rain showers in the morning and a cross-on wind, but the afternoon turns glassy again with a 3ft SSW swell. Saturday morning, September 12th, is also glassy, with a 3ft SW swell. These are good, reliable options, but that Thursday is the one to circle.
After that, things get a bit messy. We get a run of cross-onshore winds and choppy conditions from Saturday afternoon right through to the 16th of September. The swell drops off, and the wind picks up, making it a tough paddle. The setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing during this stretch.
Late in the window, around the 17th and 18th of September, we see a new pulse of swell from the WNW. Be careful though – the period on the 18th is a short 7 seconds, which is a windswell, and it will be lumpy. The 19th of September has a 5ft to 6ft NW swell, but it’s too big for beginners and the cross-onshore wind will make it a messy, expert-only affair. The energy is moderate (823) but the quality isn’t there.
So, the call is: Thursday, September 10th, is your best bet. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed night, min 13°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 651 | 629 | 659 | 620 | 589 | 519 | 411 | 405 | 264 | 233 | 318 | 158 | 118 | 118 | 164 | 130 | 368 | 312 | 419 | 410 | 367 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:51PM1.92m | 8:01AM1.23m | 6:05PM1.91m | 9:09AM1.32m | 7:25PM1.94m | 9:55AM1.43m | 8:38PM1.98m | 10:34AM1.54m | 9:41PM2.01m | 11:10AM1.66m | 10:38PM2.00m | 11:44AM1.75m | 11:32PM1.95m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:20AM0.98m | 00:44AM0.02m | 11:41AM1.05m | 1:56AM-0.06m | 1:13PM1.04m | 3:00AM-0.12m | 2:35PM0.93m | 3:53AM-0.16m | 3:43PM0.76m | 4:40AM-0.15m | 4:40PM0.58m | 5:22AM-0.09m | 5:31PM0.41m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  | | | | | | |  |  | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | NW 6 | SSW 15 | SSE 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 548 | 450 | 307 | 620 | 589 | 519 | 411 | 405 | 264 | 68 | 318 | 250 | 302 | 280 | 377 | 420 | 339 | 257 | 262 | 235 | 303 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | S 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 651 | 629 | 659 | 190 | 120 | 135 | 115 | 121 | 167 | 273 | 192 | 61 | 60 | 57 | 36 | 30 | 368 | 312 | 419 | 410 | 367 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | NW 8 | SSW 14 | NW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 |
| kJ | 121 | 76 | 71 | 137 | 86 | 111 | 68 | 45 | 35 | 233 | 37 | 158 | 118 | 118 | 164 | 130 | 29 | 53 | 155 | 117 | 115 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 9 | NW 5 | — | NW 6 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 28 | 38 | 28 | 202 | 21 | — | 93 | 113 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 261 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 126 | 196 | 0 | 195 | 191 | 0 | 195 | 195 | 0 | 130 | 3 | 0 | 82 | 3 | 0 | 169 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.
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