Third Reef surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Wednesday 13 May 2026 PDT
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
11.9° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 (May 14) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s is also forecast. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 14s period and expected on Friday (May 15) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Thu 14th May)7ft (2.1m) 11s
Best Surf 2AM (Wed 20th May)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 8AM (Wed 20th May)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the N by Tue morning).

Wed
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
3
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
2
1
0
5
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
W
12
2.1
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
10
1.9
WNW
10
0.8
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
1.8
NW
7
1
WNW
14
1.2
WNW
14
1.3
WNW
13
3
NW
9
2.5
NW
10
2.5
NW
9
2.2
NW
9
2
NW
8
2.1
NW
8
1.6
NW
8
2
NW
14
2.1
NW
8
3.5
NW
10
2.4
NW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
650
1030
610
684
320
335
336
431
522
528
1400
1219
1094
788
545
502
291
1649
489
2081
1207
Wind (km/h)
30
NW
20
NNE
20
NW
30
NNW
15
NNE
25
NW
30
NNW
20
N
30
NNW
35
NNW
25
N
25
NNW
35
NNW
20
N
30
NNW
35
NNW
20
N
20
NNW
25
NNW
15
NNE
5
WNW
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
on
High Tide
9:16PM1.80m
10:25AM1.37m
9:51PM1.94m
11:23AM1.41m
10:29PM2.06m
12:21PM1.44m
11:11PM2.14m
1:18PM1.44m
11:55PM2.16m
2:15PM1.42m
00:44AM2.12m
3:13PM1.40m
1:37AM2.01m
Low Tide
2:57PM0.40m
4:06AM-0.10m
3:42PM0.50m
4:53AM-0.35m
4:26PM0.60m
5:41AM-0.55m
5:11PM0.68m
6:29AM-0.67m
5:57PM0.76m
7:19AM-0.70m
6:46PM0.82m
8:11AM-0.66m
7:40PM0.87m
9:06AM-0.55m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:01
6:00
5:58
5:58
5:56
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:22
8:22
8:23
8:24
8:25
8:27
8:28
8:29
Temp °C
16
14
17
19
14
16
17
12
14
15
11
15
17
13
17
18
14
18
21
16
15
10
9
12
12
8
10
9
6
7
7
4
8
9
7
11
11
9
14
16
12
15
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
W
12
1.7
WNW
11
0.5
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
WNW
15
1
WNW
14
1.2
WNW
14
1.3
WNW
13
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
NW
18
0.7
WNW
16
0.4
SW
16
1
WNW
13
2.5
NW
10
0.5
SW
21
Energy kJ
650
655
102
376
291
335
302
431
522
528
165
118
77
60
58
81
226
69
373
1210
224
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
17
0.1
S
12
0.2
WNW
18
0.6
WNW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.5
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
15
0.1
S
20
0.1
SW
18
0.1
SW
18
0.1
SW
18
0.3
SW
18
0.3
S
16
0.6
WNW
13
0.3
S
15
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
Energy kJ
163
102
96
3
31
175
252
108
158
169
7
13
12
12
49
46
106
41
95
96
90
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
13
0.4
SSW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.1
W
20
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
11
0.2
S
18
0.5
SSW
16
0.3
S
16
0.1
SW
19
0.1
S
20
0.1
S
18
0.2
S
18
0.2
S
17
0.3
SSW
13
0.4
SW
17
0.3
SW
24
0.3
S
15
0.3
S
15
0.3
S
14
Energy kJ
13
104
79
7
3
2
25
146
46
15
7
6
25
23
34
75
87
39
38
36
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WNW
5
2.1
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
10
1.9
WNW
10
1.4
WNW
9
1.5
NW
7
1.8
NW
7
1.5
NW
7
1.6
NW
7
2.1
NW
8
3
NW
9
2.5
NW
10
2.5
NW
9
2.2
NW
9
2
NW
8
2.1
NW
8
1.6
NW
8
2
NW
14
2.1
NW
8
3.5
NW
10
2.4
NW
10
Energy kJ
92
1030
610
684
320
192
336
242
266
481
1400
1219
1094
788
545
502
291
1649
489
2081
1207
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
4
4
1
3
3
3
3
4
2
4
5
4
3
3
3
4
3
2
5
4
Distance (km)
387
3
211
386
3
386
385
154
386
1666
257
386
385
154
265
385
29
193
180
0
141
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
3
4
5
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
2
4
4
3
4
4
3
4
4
2
5
5
4
7
4
4
5
4
3
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
4
7
4
4
4
4
5
4
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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