
Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, NW swell with 634 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cape Mendocino this week:
The surf forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 2.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) 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 2.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let’s talk about the Cape. The next couple of weeks look pretty average, to be honest. There’s a little bit on offer early, but we’ve got wind and lumpy conditions to sift through before we find anything truly clean. The standout window is a morning on the 12th, so keep that in mind.
We kick things off Tuesday afternoon, the 8th. There’s some swell in the water, around 3ft from the south with a 12-second period. The energy is weak, and the north wind is cross-shore at 19 mph, making it a bit of a mess. That carries on into Wednesday morning, the 9th, with a similar south swell but lighter winds. Still, there are ripples on the surface. Wednesday afternoon sees the swell drop to around 2.3ft, but the wind picks up, so the chop is back. Thursday the 10th brings a touch more size, up to 3ft, but the wind stays on it, and by the afternoon it’s a lumpy 30 km/h. Friday is more of the same – poor conditions with fresh cross-shore winds and lumpy surf around 3.3ft.
Now, Saturday the 12th is where things finally line up. The morning is the clear winner here. The wind drops right off, leaving the 3.3ft southwest swell glassy and clean. The swell period is 14 seconds, so it’ll have some push and shape to it. The energy is moderate. This is your window, folks. It won’t be huge, but it’ll be the cleanest surf you’ll see for a while. The afternoon is not as good, with the north wind building back and putting some cross-chop on the face.
Sunday the 13th sees the swell pick up to 5ft, but it’s coming from the northwest with a shorter 9-second period and a strong north wind. It’s going to be lumpy and hard to ride, especially if you’re not comfortable in bigger, messier surf. That trend of poor conditions continues through the next week. We’ve got a stretch from Monday the 14th through to the following Wednesday that’s mostly poor with cross-shore winds and small, weak swells. The energy drops right off, and it’s just not worth paddling out for.
We do get another shot on Thursday morning, the 17th. The wind goes calm again, leaving the 4ft northwest swell glassy. The period is short at 8 seconds, but for a beach break like this, that can actually be okay. It’s a worthwhile look, but the afternoon falls apart with a cross-onshore wind coming up. After that, we’re back into small, marginal surf right through to the 23rd. Nothing to get the heart racing.
So, your best bet is definitely the early glass on Saturday the 12th. That’s the one to chase. The Thursday morning on the 17th is a secondary, less promising option. It’s mostly a waiting game otherwise.
Remember, the water’s running a bit colder than usual for this time of year at 55°F, so you’ll want a hood or a thicker suit.
Stay stoked.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Sun afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
247 | 174 | 196 | 368 | 312 | 419 | 493 | 441 | 477 | 465 | 372 | 407 | 301 | 241 | 351 | 412 | 127 | 107 | 106 | 147 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 9:37PM1.94m | 11:11AM1.64m | 10:32PM1.91m | 11:44AM1.71m | 11:23PM1.85m | 12:15PM1.76m | 00:14AM1.74m | 12:45PM1.78m | 1:04AM1.62m | 1:14PM1.78m | 1:56AM1.48m | 1:43PM1.76m | 2:54AM1.35m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:59PM0.71m | 4:44AM-0.12m | 4:49PM0.56m | 5:23AM-0.05m | 5:37PM0.42m | 6:00AM0.06m | 6:22PM0.30m | 6:36AM0.21m | 7:07PM0.22m | 7:11AM0.38m | 7:51PM0.17m | 7:46AM0.56m | 8:37PM0.16m | |||||||
— | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 18 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | NW 10 | SW 14 | NW 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 17 |
163 | 199 | 245 | 368 | 312 | 419 | 493 | 441 | 477 | 465 | 372 | 290 | 301 | 208 | 186 | 142 | 116 | 84 | 106 | 147 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | NW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | NW 11 | SW 14 | WSW 11 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
247 | 174 | 196 | 110 | 147 | 157 | 143 | 120 | 57 | 85 | 85 | 407 | 163 | 241 | 24 | 57 | 127 | 107 | 83 | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 16 | WNW 13 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | NW 12 | WNW 11 | WSW 13 | WNW 10 | SW 20 | WSW 11 | WNW 16 | WSW 9 | WNW 15 | WNW 13 |
118 | 105 | 132 | 118 | 94 | 82 | 46 | 71 | 38 | 12 | 37 | 47 | 33 | 65 | 60 | 11 | 25 | 8 | 84 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 10 | — | NW 9 | — | NW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
— | — | — | 204 | 199 | 287 | 412 | 547 | 555 | 419 | 421 | — | 166 | — | 351 | 412 | 882 | 732 | 587 | 393 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 151 | 0 | 114 | 51 | 51 | 151 | 51 | 40 | 151 | 436 | 40 | 0 | 83 | 40 | 244 | 51 | 51 | 151 | 437 | 51 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cape Mendocino Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cape Mendocino provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cape Mendocino can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cape Mendocino 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 (Cape Mendocino) 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 Cape Mendocino 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.
Cape Mendocino is 47 km (29 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.










