Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 16 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
11.9°C
2.5° 

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 17 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 23 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, NW swell with 560 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period with NW 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 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 18s. 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 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 23) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Wed 16th Sep)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 16th Sep)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Most Powerful 8AM (Wed 23rd Sep)7ft (2.1m) 8s

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


Short Range Forecast

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

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Wed
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
1
1
3
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
NW
8
2
NW
8
1.7
NW
8
1.6
NW
8
1.4
NW
8
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
19
0.8
SW
18
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
452
540
382
322
279
303
303
303
258
375
375
383
414
366
493
487
476
381
302
371
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
15
S
20
S
10
SSW
0
SE
20
NNW
25
N
20
NNE
20
NNW
25
NNW
15
N
20
NNW
30
N
20
NNW
30
NNW
30
N
30
N
30
N
25
N
15
N
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
2:53PM1.66m
5:28AM1.19m
3:40PM1.60m
7:07AM1.20m
4:38PM1.55m
8:20AM1.26m
5:46PM1.53m
9:05AM1.32m
6:55PM1.55m
9:37AM1.37m
7:56PM1.59m
10:03AM1.43m
8:50PM1.64m
Low Tide
10:23PM0.21m
10:03AM1.02m
11:28PM0.24m
11:25AM1.09m
00:39AM0.24m
12:52PM1.09m
1:44AM0.22m
2:00PM1.02m
2:38AM0.18m
2:51PM0.93m
3:21AM0.14m
3:34PM0.82m
3:58AM0.12m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
7:00
7:01
7:01
7:03
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:24
7:22
7:21
7:20
7:17
7:15
7:15
 mm
Temp °C
16
14
16
17
15
16
17
13
15
16
13
15
16
13
15
16
14
15
17
13
Feels °C
14
12
13
14
15
13
13
10
12
13
10
11
12
9
10
11
10
10
13
9
  • 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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