Third Reef surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 am Monday 18 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
10.2° C
(Which is 1.7°C colder than average 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 Tuesday (May 19) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 9s. 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 19) 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 0.4m 14s period and expected on Wednesday (May 20) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Tue 19th May)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 20th May)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 2AM (Tue 19th May)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
4
1
1
3
0
0
4
2
3
2
1
3
4
2
3
3
2
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
NW
9
2
NW
8
3
NW
16
2.1
NW
14
1.3
WNW
13
2.4
NW
13
2.1
NW
12
2.3
NW
12
2
NW
9
1.8
NW
10
1.9
NW
10
1.8
NW
10
1.8
NW
10
1.8
NW
9
2.1
NW
9
1.6
NW
9
1.3
NW
9
1.3
NW
9
1.4
NW
9
0.9
NW
15
1.1
NW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
612
542
3585
1736
624
1922
1189
1374
607
735
730
602
636
586
675
423
281
294
325
309
400
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
30
NNW
15
NNE
15
NW
30
NNW
15
N
25
NW
30
NNW
15
NNE
15
NW
5
NW
10
N
10
NW
5
NW
10
NNE
10
SSW
5
W
5
W
10
WSW
0
SSW
15
NNE
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
2:15PM1.42m
00:44AM2.12m
3:13PM1.40m
1:37AM2.01m
4:11PM1.40m
2:34AM1.85m
5:10PM1.42m
3:39AM1.66m
6:06PM1.47m
4:54AM1.46m
6:57PM1.54m
6:20AM1.30m
7:41PM1.63m
Low Tide
6:46PM0.82m
8:11AM-0.66m
7:40PM0.87m
9:06AM-0.55m
8:45PM0.89m
10:03AM-0.39m
10:05PM0.87m
11:00AM-0.22m
11:32PM0.79m
11:55AM-0.04m
00:54AM0.63m
12:48PM0.14m
2:04AM0.43m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
5:56
5:56
5:56
5:54
5:54
5:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:27
8:28
8:29
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:31
Temp °C
17
19
15
18
21
16
18
18
15
15
15
14
15
13
12
12
11
10
12
12
14
12
12
11
14
15
12
13
12
11
14
13
13
14
12
11
11
10
9
10
10
13
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
NW
9
0.6
WNW
17
1.8
NW
9
2.1
NW
14
1.3
WNW
13
1.9
NW
13
0.5
SW
21
0.4
SW
16
1.6
WNW
11
1.8
NW
10
1.9
NW
10
1.8
NW
10
1.8
NW
10
1.8
NW
9
1.2
NNW
9
1.6
NW
9
1.3
NW
9
1.3
NW
9
1.4
NW
9
1.2
NW
9
1.1
NW
13
Energy kJ
446
197
497
1736
624
1147
224
89
606
735
730
602
636
586
211
423
281
294
325
225
400
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSW
13
0.3
S
16
1.1
WNW
16
0.3
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.3
S
14
0.9
NNW
9
0.6
SW
19
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
1.1
WNW
10
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
WNW
10
0.7
SW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.9
NW
15
0.9
NW
8
Energy kJ
58
46
589
42
69
96
65
33
130
303
113
116
154
154
265
166
88
258
169
309
107
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WNW
18
0.3
SSW
13
0.4
SW
17
0.3
S
15
0.3
S
15
0.3
S
15
0.4
S
14
0.2
SSW
21
0.5
SW
15
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
19
0.4
S
13
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.4
S
13
0.6
SW
16
0.3
S
12
0.6
WNW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
14
Energy kJ
64
34
76
41
39
38
63
44
112
79
96
53
109
109
109
52
203
25
171
220
140
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
NW
9
2
NW
8
3
NW
16
2.2
NW
9
1.8
NW
8
2.4
NW
13
2.1
NW
12
2.3
NW
12
2
NW
9
2.1
NW
9
Energy kJ
612
542
3585
730
403
1922
1189
1374
607
675
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
4
4
2
5
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
Distance (km)
195
387
29
211
385
3
193
211
0
169
0
3
141
0
0
169
0
0
98
0
3
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
4
3
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
3
5
4
4
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
5
5
5
4
4
4
5
5
7
5
5
7
9
5
4
4
5
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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