Surf Forecasts:
Third Reef surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 629 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m 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 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 11s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Third Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’re looking at a drawn-out, up-and-down run for the next couple of weeks. Honestly, the first few days are a bit of a write-off. The surf is small, the wind is messy, and the energy just isn’t making a clean line. We’ve got a real lull from Friday the 14th through to Saturday the 16th, with marginal conditions and cross-onshore breezes ruining any chance of a clean wave. The combined swell energy is weak to moderate (467) at best, and the period is respectable, but the wind is a constant problem.
The only real standout in this whole 16-day window shows up on Sunday the 16th. That afternoon, things switch. The wind drops to glassy, and we’ve got a solid 3ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period. The energy bumps up to 613, and the outlook is “very good.” That’s your window. Get out to Third Reef (reef) for a Sunday afternoon session. With that long period, the reef will focus the energy into clean, well-shaped lines. The water temp is about average for this time of year, no major anomalies. Just keep an eye on the tide.
After that high point, it’s back to the struggle. Monday the 17th through to the end of the month is mostly a mix of poor conditions and marginal surf. The wind stays cross-onshore, the swell drops, and the energy fades. There’s a brief pulse of NW windswell around Wednesday the 19th, but it’s only 6ft with a short, weak 8-second period, and the wind is still onshore. That’s a messy, choppy combo – more for the kite crew than anyone paddling.
The second week is a forgettable run of small, wind-affected waves. Don’t pin your hopes on it. The forecast is a bit of a gamble that far out, but the trend is consistently poor.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue night, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | WNW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 232 | 210 | 360 | 629 | 505 | 539 | 525 | 512 | 334 | 330 | 334 | 334 | 178 | 252 | 226 | 221 | 309 | 314 | 233 | 223 | 236 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:38PM1.77m | 1:18AM1.90m | 2:13PM1.81m | 2:11AM1.71m | 2:47PM1.83m | 3:06AM1.52m | 3:22PM1.81m | 4:06AM1.35m | 3:58PM1.78m | 5:19AM1.21m | 4:39PM1.74m | 6:54AM1.14m | 5:29PM1.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:20PM0.47m | 7:46AM0.03m | 8:12PM0.41m | 8:22AM0.24m | 9:06PM0.37m | 8:57AM0.45m | 10:03PM0.35m | 9:32AM0.66m | 11:05PM0.34m | 10:11AM0.83m | 00:11AM0.32m | 10:57AM0.96m | 1:18AM0.28m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | SSW 14 | NW 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 86 | 140 | 50 | 629 | 505 | 539 | 525 | 512 | 334 | 330 | 334 | 334 | 178 | 252 | 226 | 183 | 235 | 199 | 183 | 167 | 218 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | NW 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 6 | WNW 9 | NW 6 | NW 7 | S 11 | W 8 | SSW 17 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 232 | 210 | 360 | 31 | 21 | 88 | 20 | 29 | 51 | 54 | 9 | 33 | 100 | 71 | 107 | 142 | 309 | 314 | 233 | 223 | 236 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 20 | W 11 | SW 14 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | NNW 7 | W 10 | S 12 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | S 19 | WNW 13 | WNW 8 | W 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | — | SW 19 | SW 19 | W 14 |
| kJ | 149 | 21 | 214 | 21 | 6 | 10 | 48 | 11 | 26 | 26 | 7 | 17 | 12 | 2 | 67 | 99 | 18 | — | 54 | 58 | 16 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 7 | — | NW 7 | NW 5 | NW 5 | — | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 6 | WNW 4 | — |
| kJ | — | 69 | — | 69 | 42 | 47 | — | 49 | 113 | 102 | 144 | 46 | 60 | 183 | 156 | 221 | 188 | 100 | 51 | 31 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 169 | 257 | 0 | 169 | 3 | 0 | 169 | 0 | 3 | 124 | 386 | 0 | 195 | 3 | 3 | 211 | 195 | 0 | 124 | 257 | 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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