
Surf Forecasts:
Third Reef surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with 703 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period with NW 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 (Jul 06) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 1.6m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Third Reef in the next 16 days are 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 18s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 09) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 6th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 6th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Third Reef over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Third Reef has got cooking for us.
Honestly, mate, for most of this run, the wind just isn’t playing ball. We’ve got a solid string of days where it’s gonna be choppy and onshore, so it’s going to be a waiting game. There's a bit of a tease right at the start on Monday the 6th with a weak, long-period 2ft SSW groundswell (587 combined energy), but the wind is already a problem. It’s a tough outlook for paddle surfing through the middle of July.
The real standout window doesn't open up until Sunday the 19th. That morning is the pick of the whole forecast. We’re looking at glassy conditions with a clean 4ft NW swell rolling in. The wind is off the water, dead still, which at a reef setup like Third Reef means silky smooth face. The afternoon follows up with the same glassy vibe but a drop in size to a 3ft SSW groundswell that still packs a punch with a 17-second period (731 combined energy). That’s the kind of day you book off work for.
Before that, there isn’t much to get excited about. There’s a short window on Sunday the 12th afternoon where a 5ft NW swell shows up (743 combined energy), but it’s got a short 10-second period and cross-onshore winds, so it’ll be messy. Surf quality is going to be poor right through until the 18th. You get some longer-period SW groundswells in the mix, but the wind (mostly cross-onshore NW from 9 to 18 mph) is going to ruin the surface.
For a few days in the second week, around the 16th and 17th of July, the swell gets bigger—up to 7ft on Friday the 17th afternoon—but again, the wind is howling cross-onshore from the NNW at 18 mph, making it lumpy and ugly. That size with that wind is more a kite session than a clean surf.
So, in short: be patient. The first two weeks are pretty much a write-off for quality. The only real gem is that glassy Sunday the 19th. Keep an eye on it, because conditions like that at Third Reef don't come around often in this window.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed night, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SSW 17 | NW 12 | NW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NW 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | NW 10 | SSW 14 | NW 10 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
258 | 488 | 663 | 485 | 637 | 651 | 596 | 601 | 539 | 643 | 452 | 377 | 377 | 372 | 339 | 268 | 272 | 290 | 168 | 499 | 229 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:52PM1.64m | 4:42AM1.24m | 5:29PM1.74m | 6:09AM1.14m | 6:11PM1.85m | 7:46AM1.12m | 7:00PM1.96m | 9:12AM1.17m | 7:53PM2.08m | 10:22AM1.25m | 8:48PM2.18m | 11:19AM1.34m | 9:44PM2.26m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:03AM0.24m | 11:16PM0.59m | 10:42AM0.41m | 00:23AM0.40m | 11:26AM0.58m | 1:28AM0.17m | 12:18PM0.73m | 2:31AM-0.06m | 1:17PM0.85m | 3:30AM-0.27m | 2:23PM0.92m | 4:26AM-0.45m | 3:31PM0.93m | ||||||||
5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
— | 8:47 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | SSW 16 | NW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | NW 10 | SSW 14 | NW 9 |
149 | 407 | 341 | 485 | 637 | 651 | 596 | 601 | 539 | 643 | 441 | 377 | 377 | 372 | 339 | 268 | 272 | 249 | 145 | 226 | 225 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | WNW 10 | S 20 | SSW 19 | — | S 18 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | — | WNW 10 | NW 9 | W 19 | S 19 | SSW 14 | S 18 | SSW 14 |
180 | 260 | 432 | 258 | 81 | 220 | 85 | 119 | 125 | — | 160 | 120 | 377 | — | 61 | 86 | 7 | 29 | 168 | 25 | 229 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | S 9 | SSW 16 | S 12 | S 8 | S 21 | SW 15 | — | S 19 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 8 | W 18 | W 16 | W 16 | S 17 | W 15 | W 16 |
258 | 15 | 226 | 11 | 5 | 35 | 171 | — | 118 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 50 | 18 | 45 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 6 | NW 10 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 10 | NW 6 | NW 10 | NW 6 |
— | 488 | 663 | 334 | 148 | 192 | 69 | 236 | 216 | 335 | 452 | 206 | 341 | 277 | 44 | 44 | 187 | 290 | 69 | 499 | 151 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 729 | 386 | 3 | 195 | 386 | 0 | 195 | 385 | 3 | 283 | 386 | 3 | 243 | 386 | 0 | 195 | 3 | 29 | 195 | 385 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










