Third Reef surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Tuesday 19 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
9.7° C
(Which is 2.2°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 Wednesday (May 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 1.9m and 8s 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 Tuesday (May 26) 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 0.4m 14s period and expected on Wednesday (May 20) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 20th May)6ft (1.9m) 13s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 20th May)6ft (1.9m) 13s
Most Powerful11PM (Tue 26th 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. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
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
4
0
0
4
2
3
3
1
3
3
2
2
2
1
3
3
0
0
2
0
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)
1.3
WNW
13
2.5
NW
13
2
NW
12
2.3
NW
12
1.8
NW
11
1.8
NW
10
1.9
NW
10
2.1
NW
9
1.8
NW
10
1.8
NW
9
1.8
NW
8
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.8
WNW
15
1
WNW
13
1.2
WNW
13
1.6
NW
12
0.9
SSW
17
2
NW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
624
2031
1112
1374
749
735
716
760
624
573
408
166
201
258
223
272
373
444
760
464
553
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
15
N
20
NW
30
NNW
15
N
10
NW
0
NW
15
N
10
NW
5
WNW
10
NNE
5
W
5
W
5
SE
15
SSW
5
S
5
NNW
15
WNW
20
WNW
15
NNW
25
NW
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross
glassy
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
High Tide
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
7:47AM1.22m
8:19PM1.71m
9:02AM1.19m
Low Tide
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
1:38PM0.30m
3:03AM0.22m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:56
5:56
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:52
5:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:28
8:29
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:31
8:32
8:34
Temp °C
21
17
18
18
14
15
14
13
15
13
13
12
11
10
11
11
11
13
13
13
13
16
13
14
11
10
14
12
12
14
12
12
11
10
9
8
9
10
10
9
8
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WNW
13
1.9
NW
13
0.5
SW
21
0.4
SW
16
1.8
NW
11
1.8
NW
10
1.9
NW
10
1.8
NW
10
1.8
NW
10
1.8
NW
9
1.1
NW
8
1
NW
8
1
NW
8
0.9
WNW
10
0.9
NW
8
0.8
WNW
15
1
WNW
13
1.2
WNW
13
0.9
SSW
17
0.9
WNW
12
0.9
SSW
16
Energy kJ
624
1147
224
89
749
735
716
589
624
573
157
111
129
132
118
272
373
444
437
239
344
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
S
14
0.5
SW
15
0.6
SW
19
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.9
NW
10
0.9
NW
10
0.8
WNW
10
0.7
NW
8
0.7
WNW
10
0.8
NW
8
0.6
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
15
0.2
S
11
0.9
SSW
17
0.2
S
10
Energy kJ
69
96
65
59
112
303
113
116
154
154
134
137
122
69
81
78
140
348
9
464
8
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
S
15
0.3
S
15
0.3
S
14
0.2
SSW
21
0.4
S
14
0.4
SW
15
0.4
S
13
0.4
S
13
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.6
NW
7
0.3
S
11
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
11
Energy kJ
39
38
36
44
57
79
54
53
109
110
109
166
201
258
223
220
34
21
9
9
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
NW
8
2.5
NW
13
2
NW
12
2.3
NW
12
2.1
NW
8
2.1
NW
9
1.8
NW
8
0.7
NW
5
1.6
NW
12
0.8
NW
6
2
NW
8
Energy kJ
413
2031
1112
1374
599
760
408
27
760
44
553
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
5
3
2
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
3
2
3
3
3
Distance (km)
386
0
193
265
0
169
0
3
141
0
0
0
0
0
120
0
0
196
154
3
195
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
3
4
3
3
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
4
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
2
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
4
5
4
5
7
7
5
6
9
6
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
  • 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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