Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 31 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
11.9°C
2.8° 

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 31 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s period, NW swell with 901 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period with SSW 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 2.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Mon 31st Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf11PM (Thu 3rd Sep)6ft (1.9m) 11s
Most Powerful 2AM (Fri 4th Sep)6.5ft (2.0m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming down the line for Cape Mendocino. The forecast window has surf, but it’s a real mixed bag of mediocrity and one or two flashes of potential. The water is sitting at 53°F, which is much colder than normal for this time of year, so bring a thick suit.

There’s a small, inconsistent NW groundswell moving through right now, but the wind states are all over the place. The best window of the whole 16 days looks to be Thursday, September 3rd through Saturday, September 5th. That’s where the real energy sits. On Thursday morning, you’ve got a 6 ft WNW swell with a 9-second period and a light SSW breeze holding it cross-on. The combined energy is moderate (1070). It’s not the cleanest, but it’s the start of the run. Friday morning, September 4th, is the standout. Swell bumps up to 6 ft from the NW, still around 10 seconds, and the wind is light from the NNW, just cross. The combined energy cranks up (1498). It’s not offshore, but it’s light enough that the surface will be only slightly rippled. This is the best mix of size and power we’ll see. Saturday morning, September 5th, drops back to 4 ft but with a solid 16-second period from the SSW, and the energy is still moderate (1014). That long period means better shape, but it might be a bit straight for a beach break like this. Still, for a Saturday morning session, it’s worth a look.

After that, it’s a long slide downhill. From Sunday, September 6th, right through to Tuesday, September 15th, the swells get smaller, the wind picks up, and the conditions turn messy. The north winds become a constant feature, often fresh or strong, creating lumpy, cross-chop conditions. There are some sizeable swells in the second week—like 7 ft on Thursday, September 10th, and 8 ft on Saturday, September 12th—but the wind is against them. Those bigger waves are only for experts, and the chop will make it a battle. Honestly, from the 6th onwards, it’s a struggle. The only flicker of promise is Monday, September 14th, with a 6 ft NW swell and a clean WSW offshore breeze in the morning. That’s a genuine clean window, but the swell period is short (9 seconds) and the energy is moderate (664). Worth a look if you’re desperate, but not a standout.

To sum it up: Friday, September 4th, is your day. Hit the morning session for the best combo of size and light wind. Everything else is a gamble or a grind.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
0
1
0
0
2
3
2
4
3
2
4
3
1
3
1
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
1.1
NW
10
1
NW
10
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SW
18
0.9
WNW
9
1.6
W
8
0.9
SW
19
1.7
WNW
9
2
NW
11
1.9
NW
10
1.9
NW
10
1.9
NW
10
1.1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
400
325
210
222
181
166
249
130
313
517
501
901
759
759
660
627
554
612
491
334
264
Wind (km/h)
10
W
10
NW
10
ESE
15
S
15
SSW
15
SE
25
S
25
SSE
20
SE
5
SSW
10
NNW
15
NNE
10
NNW
20
NNW
15
NNE
15
NNW
20
N
15
NNE
15
NNW
15
NNW
10
NNE
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
1:55PM1.76m
2:34AM1.40m
2:29PM1.80m
3:43AM1.27m
3:11PM1.82m
5:11AM1.18m
4:03PM1.83m
6:53AM1.19m
5:06PM1.83m
8:17AM1.27m
6:17PM1.84m
9:14AM1.37m
7:30PM1.87m
Low Tide
8:32PM0.27m
8:22AM0.55m
9:27PM0.20m
9:03AM0.72m
10:30PM0.14m
9:54AM0.88m
11:43PM0.09m
11:07AM1.00m
1:00AM0.02m
12:35PM1.04m
2:10AM-0.05m
1:56PM0.98m
3:10AM-0.12m
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
mod rain
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:43
6:45
6:46
6:47
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:51
7:50
7:47
7:45
7:45
7:43
7:40
 mm
9
Temp °C
16
16
15
17
17
16
17
16
15
17
17
15
15
16
14
16
16
14
16
17
16
Feels °C
15
15
15
14
14
14
13
11
11
17
17
13
13
13
12
13
13
11
14
15
13
  • 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 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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