Third Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.03° N 124.08° W

Third Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 21 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Third Reef sea temperature is
14.8°C
0.6° 

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 21 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 22 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 22 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, NW swell with 1,488 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 21 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s 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 Monday (Sep 21) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s 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 2.3m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 13s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Mon 21st Sep)3ft (0.9m) 17s
Best Surf 8AM (Tue 22nd Sep)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Most Powerful11PM (Tue 22nd Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 12s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Mon morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
Sunday
27
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
3
0
0
2
0
0
3
2
3
2
0
0
4
2
1
3
2
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
1
SW
17
1.2
NW
13
1.3
WNW
12
1.6
NW
11
1.6
NW
11
1.8
NW
11
1.5
NW
11
1.4
NW
11
1.3
WNW
10
1
NW
10
2.5
WNW
10
2.2
NW
9
2.5
NW
9
1.6
NW
9
1.8
NW
8
1.7
NW
9
0.5
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
1.5
NW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
493
482
567
471
480
685
627
729
544
431
367
200
1176
770
958
370
457
481
148
190
289
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
20
NW
15
NNE
20
NW
30
NNW
15
N
15
NNW
25
NNW
15
NNE
10
WNW
0
SSW
0
E
20
NNW
30
NNW
15
NNE
10
WNW
10
NW
10
NE
0
SW
15
WNW
15
NNE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
9:34AM1.34m
8:01PM1.62m
10:01AM1.42m
8:57PM1.68m
10:26AM1.51m
9:46PM1.73m
10:49AM1.61m
10:32PM1.76m
11:14AM1.71m
11:18PM1.76m
11:39AM1.80m
00:04AM1.73m
12:06PM1.89m
00:53AM1.67m
Low Tide
2:13PM1.00m
3:14AM0.17m
3:08PM0.87m
3:53AM0.14m
3:55PM0.71m
4:27AM0.14m
4:37PM0.54m
4:59AM0.18m
5:16PM0.36m
5:30AM0.25m
5:55PM0.18m
6:01AM0.35m
6:35PM0.03m
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
7:03
7:03
7:05
7:05
7:07
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:15
7:13
7:12
7:09
7:07
7:07
7:05
 mm
Temp °C
16
17
16
17
20
15
19
23
17
16
16
16
16
19
14
15
14
14
14
16
16
Feels °C
14
14
13
14
14
12
16
18
13
14
16
14
13
14
10
13
12
13
12
14
15
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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