Third Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.03° N 124.08° W

Third Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 17 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Third Reef sea temperature is
14.3°C
0.1° 

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 18 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 22 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 22 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, NW swell with 1,625 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 20s period with SW 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 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 20s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s 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 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 11PM. 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 13s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Fri 18th Sep)1.5ft (0.4m) 20s
Best Surf 8AM (Tue 22nd Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s
Most Powerful11PM (Tue 22nd Sep)8ft (2.5m) 11s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
2
0
1
1
1
0
3
0
0
2
1
0
3
1
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
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
0.9
SW
18
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
1.5
WNW
12
2.2
NW
12
2.5
NW
11
1.6
NW
11
1.5
NW
11
1.3
WNW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
160
303
303
303
258
375
375
383
414
444
493
482
482
636
1313
1482
615
524
389
Wind (km/h)
5
ENE
10
WNW
10
NW
15
NNE
15
NW
15
NW
10
N
15
WNW
20
NW
15
NNE
20
NW
20
NW
10
N
15
NW
20
NNW
15
N
15
NW
10
NNW
15
NNE
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
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
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
10:26AM1.51m
9:46PM1.73m
Low Tide
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
3:55PM0.71m
4:27AM0.14m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
7:00
7:01
7:01
7:03
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:20
7:17
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:12
 mm
Temp °C
14
16
17
16
17
16
16
15
16
15
17
18
17
18
21
16
17
17
17
Feels °C
14
15
16
15
14
13
16
13
13
14
14
15
14
15
17
13
14
15
15
  • 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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