Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, NW swell with 527 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period with SW 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s 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 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) 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 1.9m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
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 on the table for Cape Mendocino over the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, the first week and a half is a bit of a write-off. We’re looking at a long stretch of poor surf conditions from now through to about the 24th of July. There’s some swell in the water, but it’s plagued by moderate to fresh cross-shore winds that are just laying a chop on everything. The water is running at 51°F and that’s a solid 5°F cooler than normal for this time of year, so it’s a bit of a shock to the system if you’re paddling out.
The first real glimmer of something worthwhile doesn’t show up until Saturday the 25th of July. The morning brings a 5ft swell from the SSE with a period of 17 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell and it’s packing some serious energy – we’re talking around 1823 (combined energy). The problem is the wind is still cross-shore from the north at 12 mph, so it’s not going to be glassy, but the swell size and quality are a step up. The crowd factor here is “sometimes,” so you might have company, but you won’t be fighting for every wave.
The best bet in the whole 16-day window, believe it or not, isn’t until Monday the 27th of July. The morning brings a 4ft swell from the SW with a lovely 18-second period. The energy is solid at 1027 (combined energy). The wind is a gentle cross-onshore from the NNW at 9 mph, which is light enough to keep things fairly clean, especially for a break that’s exposed to the swell. The afternoon cleans up a bit more with a moderate cross-shore wind, and the swell holds. This is the standout. It’s not huge, but it’s a nice, long-period groundswell that should offer some proper shape on the better tides.
For the rest of the run, the 28th and 29th of July look like they’ll be back to poor conditions, with fresh winds and lumpy seas. Nothing to write home about.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a bust. The 25th and 26th show some promise but are a bit messy. The one to circle on your calendar is Monday the 27th of July – that’s your best chance for a decent session. Stay patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tue 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | SW 18 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 20 | WNW 19 | WNW 19 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 16 | NW 8 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 103 | 194 | 154 | 183 | 218 | 286 | 280 | 438 | 433 | 518 | 463 | 477 | 515 | 348 | 314 | 434 | 419 | 258 | 362 | 367 | 310 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 5:00PM1.73m | 5:43AM1.12m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:31AM0.41m | 00:05AM0.40m | 11:20AM0.62m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 |
 | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:43 | — | 8:42 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 19 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 16 | NNW 8 | WNW 16 | WNW 16 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 41 | 108 | 154 | 183 | 130 | 70 | 280 | 438 | 433 | 518 | 382 | 366 | 353 | 418 | 314 | 282 | 330 | 261 | 254 | 235 | 310 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 20 | SW 16 | WNW 19 | WNW 8 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 14 | WNW 16 | SW 17 | SW 18 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 12 |
| kJ | 103 | 194 | 108 | 160 | 161 | 286 | 48 | 143 | 296 | 74 | 463 | 297 | 375 | 348 | 259 | 434 | 419 | 258 | 362 | 367 | 132 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | WNW 13 | SW 17 | WNW 20 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 12 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | S 12 | S 12 | WNW 13 |
| kJ | 61 | 90 | 60 | 102 | 218 | 159 | 159 | 11 | 74 | 177 | 132 | 44 | 61 | 93 | 201 | 239 | 163 | 160 | 67 | 153 | 66 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | — | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 8 |
| kJ | 57 | 51 | 69 | 59 | 43 | 44 | 74 | 227 | 405 | 405 | — | 477 | 515 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 217 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 51 | 40 | 151 | 436 | 54 | 437 | 436 | 54 | 151 | 437 | 40 | 151 | 54 | 40 | 51 | 75 | 40 | 80 | 54 | 0 | 151 |
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.
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