Third Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.03° N 124.08° W

Third Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 16 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Third Reef sea temperature is
14.6°C
0.3° 

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 17 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 23 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, NW swell with 841 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with NW 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. 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 2.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 23) 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 0.5m 17s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 17th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 8s
Best Surf 5AM (Mon 21st Sep)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Most Powerful 2AM (Wed 23rd Sep)8ft (2.4m) 9s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri night, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
0
2
2
2
2
3
2
0
2
0
1
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
NW
8
1.2
NW
8
1.1
NW
8
0.6
SSW
16
0.4
SW
21
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
19
1.9
NW
8
2
NW
8
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
16
2.2
NW
8
2.4
NW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
253
196
176
198
160
303
303
303
258
375
375
383
414
402
519
487
482
381
619
841
Wind (km/h)
5
WNW
5
SSE
15
SSE
5
S
5
NNE
10
WNW
10
NW
15
NNE
15
WNW
10
WNW
5
N
10
WNW
10
NW
15
N
15
WNW
20
NW
15
N
15
NW
10
NW
10
NNE
Wind State
on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
2:57PM1.75m
5:01AM1.23m
3:36PM1.69m
6:33AM1.19m
4:27PM1.62m
8:06AM1.21m
5:35PM1.58m
9:00AM1.27m
6:53PM1.58m
9:34AM1.34m
8:01PM1.62m
10:01AM1.42m
8:57PM1.68m
Low Tide
10:16PM0.22m
9:22AM0.98m
11:19PM0.26m
10:14AM1.07m
00:27AM0.27m
11:34AM1.11m
1:32AM0.25m
1:01PM1.09m
2:28AM0.21m
2:13PM1.00m
3:14AM0.17m
3:08PM0.87m
3:53AM0.14m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
6:58
7:00
7:01
7:01
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:17
7:16
7:15
7:13
 mm
Temp °C
14
13
15
15
14
16
17
18
15
15
13
14
15
14
15
18
17
17
17
17
Feels °C
12
12
13
14
15
14
15
17
13
13
13
12
13
13
13
15
14
15
15
15
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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