Surf Forecasts:
Third Reef surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, NW swell with 596 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 10s 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 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 16s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Third Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get into it. Rusty here.
Alright, look, we’ve got a 16-day window for Third Reef, and I’m not gonna sugarcoat it: the start is a write-off. For the first week and a bit, from Saturday the 12th right through to Friday the 25th, the surf is almost entirely "poor." You’re battling onshore winds, short-period chop, and messy conditions. It’s a long, frustrating run. There’s a lot of energy in the water, with combined swell energy readings often in the 500 to 1000 range (moderate), but the wind just ruins it.
However, there is a little light at the end of the tunnel. The standout moment, the one you’re waiting for, is the afternoon of Wednesday the 16th of September. We get a total glass-off. The wind goes calm, the sea goes glassy. The swell is a modest 4.3ft from the NW, period is a short 8 seconds, so don’t expect any real grunt, but it will be clean. That’s the best on offer for the first half of the outlook – a clean, user-friendly wave for intermediates.
Then, after a few more days of wind-affected junk, we get a long-range flash of promise. On the morning of Saturday the 26th of September, we see a big jump in size, with a 9.8ft NW swell rolling in. The combined energy is a very strong 2633. But – and there’s always a but – the wind is a cross-onshore 15.5 mph from the NNW, making it a lumpy, messy beast. That’s expert territory at best.
So, to sum it up: you’re looking at a two-week stretch of mostly onshore slop. The one clean window is Wednesday afternoon, the 16th. The big Saturday swell on the 26th is more of a spectacle than a paddle session unless you’re a glutton for punishment.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Fri night, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SW 21 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 418 | 412 | 301 | 293 | 186 | 357 | 440 | 306 | 432 | 553 | 596 | 413 | 486 | 250 | 250 | 173 | 126 | 95 | 160 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 00:23AM1.85m | 12:48PM1.87m | 1:13AM1.73m | 1:19PM1.88m | 2:03AM1.60m | 1:51PM1.86m | 2:55AM1.46m | 2:22PM1.81m | 3:52AM1.33m | 2:57PM1.75m | 5:01AM1.23m | 3:36PM1.69m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:35AM0.17m | 7:03PM0.17m | 7:09AM0.35m | 7:47PM0.13m | 7:41AM0.53m | 8:33PM0.13m | 8:13AM0.70m | 9:22PM0.17m | 8:45AM0.85m | 10:16PM0.22m | 9:22AM0.98m | 11:19PM0.26m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 9 | SW 13 | NW 9 | SW 13 | SW 17 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SW 16 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
| kJ | 418 | 412 | 301 | 293 | 154 | 180 | 231 | 84 | 106 | 257 | 291 | 122 | 244 | 250 | 250 | 173 | 126 | 95 | 82 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | NW 9 | WSW 13 | NW 10 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 17 | S 21 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | S 17 | S 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 117 | 50 | 56 | 100 | 186 | 57 | 116 | 107 | 83 | 147 | 140 | 81 | 87 | 121 | 121 | 104 | 146 | 188 | 137 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WSW 18 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 19 | WSW 9 | NW 15 | SW 12 | NW 13 | SW 12 | NW 12 | S 19 | SSW 19 | SW 14 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 21 |
| kJ | 34 | 79 | 30 | 29 | 24 | 12 | 127 | 8 | 54 | 39 | 45 | 23 | 37 | 118 | 115 | 72 | 49 | 39 | 160 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | WNW 4 | NW 11 | — | — | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 275 | 5 | 220 | — | — | 357 | 440 | 306 | 432 | 553 | 596 | 413 | 486 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 154 | 67 | 0 | 372 | 387 | 3 | 243 | 385 | 0 | 48 | 3 | 0 | 120 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 29 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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