Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
10.5° C
2.9° 

Cape Mendocino surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with 505 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cape Mendocino this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 0.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 8s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 8PM (Sun 19th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. We’ve got a long 16-day window, but honestly, it’s a bit of a tough stretch for a proper paddle. The overall pattern is one of persistent cross-shore winds and messy conditions, meaning we’re waiting a long time for anything decent.

Right now, and for the next week, Cape Mendocino is copping a lot of wind. The water is sitting at 51°F, which is a solid 5°F colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a very unusual chill, so you’ll want a thick, good-quality wetsuit. The first few days are a write-off with poor surf and moderate cross-shore breezes. The swell is small and weak, with wave energy in the 200s to 300s (moderate wave energy), but the wind just ruins it.

We finally see a glimmer on Thursday, July 16th, with a very marginal call. The swell is tiny at 2ft, but the period is a long 19 seconds from the WNW. That’s a proper groundswell, but it’s got no size to work with, and the wind is a gentle cross-onshore, leaving it a bit choppy. Wave energy (648) is moderate. It’s not a goer.

Friday, July 17th, is similar. Still poor, but the morning has a slightly better wave energy reading (972) and a 17-second period. The onshore wind is still a problem, though. We’re looking at a lot of waiting.

The only standout in the whole two weeks comes on Tuesday, July 21st. The morning brings a pulse of swell hitting 7ft from the NW with a short period of 9 seconds. That’s a lot of windswell. The wave energy is strong (1020). The problem? The wind is a moderate cross-onshore, making it choppy and the conditions are still described as “poor.” This is for experts only, as it’s over the 5ft mark. The short period means it’ll be a bit fat and messy, not the clean, lined-up stuff we dream of. Beginners, sit this one out.

Wednesday, July 22nd, offers a marginal chance in the morning with 6ft NW swell (10-second period) and cross-shore wind. Wave energy is moderate (846). It’s again for experienced surfers, but the wind isn’t doing us any favours.

After that, it’s a long grind of poor surf and lumpy, fresh breezes right through to the end of the month. There are no real clean windows. This is a stretch where it’s looking more interesting for the kite surfers than the paddle crew, given the persistent wind and the mostly beach-break setup, though there are no other break types here to compare.

Hang in there, but don’t rush to the water’s edge.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
NW
8
0.6
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
13
1.2
NW
6
1.2
NNW
6
0.6
SW
18
0.9
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
10
0.5
WNW
20
0.6
WNW
19
0.6
WNW
19
0.9
WNW
18
0.9
WNW
17
0.9
WNW
16
0.9
WNW
16
0.9
WNW
16
0.8
SW
18
0.9
WNW
16
0.9
WNW
15
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
297
118
184
109
103
194
151
160
218
286
280
438
433
480
457
446
375
348
326
434
419
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
25
N
20
NNE
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
15
NW
15
NNW
15
N
15
NNW
20
NNW
15
N
20
NNW
25
N
20
NNE
30
N
30
N
25
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
12:18PM1.44m
10:38PM2.15m
1:01PM1.50m
11:31PM2.12m
1:42PM1.56m
00:24AM2.04m
2:22PM1.61m
1:16AM1.89m
3:01PM1.66m
2:11AM1.69m
3:40PM1.69m
3:10AM1.48m
4:20PM1.72m
4:18AM1.27m
Low Tide
4:56PM0.90m
6:11AM-0.52m
5:52PM0.84m
6:56AM-0.48m
6:48PM0.78m
7:41AM-0.39m
7:46PM0.71m
8:23AM-0.23m
8:45PM0.65m
9:05AM-0.04m
9:49PM0.58m
9:47AM0.18m
10:56PM0.49m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
5:58
5:58
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:46
8:46
8:45
8:45
8:45
8:44
8:44
 mm
Temp °C
16
16
14
16
16
14
16
16
14
15
15
14
16
17
15
15
16
14
15
15
13
Feels °C
12
11
9
12
12
10
12
12
10
13
13
12
13
14
12
12
12
10
10
10
8
  • 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 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.

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