Third Reef surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 am Saturday 20 Dec 2025 PST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Third Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Third Reef sea temperature is
13.0° C
(Which is 1.2°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Third Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Third Reef over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Dec 20) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m 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 12 days are 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 25) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Dec 25) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sat 20th Dec)5ft (1.5m) 11s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 23rd Dec)5.5ft (1.7m) 12s
Most Powerful 7AM (Thu 25th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Third Reef over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 87mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat night, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Sat night, calm by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 70mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Tue afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Tue night, near gales from the SSE by Wed night).

Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
0
0
1
3
3
2
4
4
4
4
3
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.6
NW
1.5
NW
1.3
NW
2.5
SSW
2.1
SW
1.6
SW
1.1
NW
1.1
NW
1.7
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.2
WNW
1.9
WNW
1.6
WNW
1
NW
3.5
SSW
2.1
WSW
1.6
W
3
SSW
2.5
WNW
2.1
WNW
Period(s) (?)1211118881010121212121211101091091211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)666544403811530289260250850187719601483972617200261666056213121715990
Wind
(km/h)
10
SE
5
ESE
35
SSW
25
SW
15
W
5
NE
10
ESE
5
S
10
ENE
10
ENE
5
NE
10
NE
25
SE
35
SE
40
S
55
S
35
S
35
S
30
SE
30
SE
30
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
onglassoffglasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:25AM
2.03
12:56AM
1.49
11:00AM
2.01
1:34AM
1.50
11:37AM
1.97
2:10AM
1.52
12:16PM
1.90
2:45AM
1.55
1:00PM
1.80
3:18AM
1.60
1:51PM
1.66
3:52AM
1.67
2:54PM
1.50
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:53PM
-0.17
5:12AM
1.10
6:28PM
-0.16
5:51AM
1.12
7:03PM
-0.12
6:34AM
1.12
7:39PM
-0.05
7:25AM
1.10
8:15PM
0.04
8:28AM
1.04
8:53PM
0.17
9:39AM
0.92
9:33PM
0.33
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Sunrise7:33--7:33--7:35--7:35--7:35--7:35--7:35--
Sunset-4:52--4:53--4:53--4:54--4:54--4:55--4:55-
part cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
heavy rain
cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
mod rain
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-651273-----11--2281071222277
Temp. °C1211141413121211101098131313101111111111
Feels °C (?)889111110997775654-134655
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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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