Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with 759 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period. 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 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Cape Mendocino.
Honestly, it’s a tough start. We’re looking at a blank run for the first week, from 23 August through to the start of September, with nothing that’s really worth paddling out for. Lots of cross-shore wind and poor surf conditions. The quality just isn’t there. There’s a bit of energy around, but it’s messy.
The first real glimmer of something decent arrives Saturday, 5 September. That afternoon, a 8ft swell out of the NW comes through. It’s got moderate energy (1438) and a period of 9 seconds, so it’s a bit short-period for my liking. But the size is there. The catch? Winds are fresh, cross-shore, and lumpy. It’s going to be a bumpy, choppy mess. More of a challenge for the experts, honestly. For the average surfer, it’s just not going to be clean. Might even be more interesting for the kite crew if the wind holds.
Now, the actual standout of the 16-day window – and what we’ve been waiting for – is Monday, 7 September. The morning brings glassy conditions with a 5ft NW swell. That’s the word we want to hear: glassy. The combined energy picks up to 617, so there’s a bit of push. The afternoon looks just as good, still glassy, with a slightly bigger 6ft NW swell and even more energy at 818. That’s the session to circle. Clean, decent-sized waves, and no wind to chop it up.
Everything else in between is either small, cross-windy, or just plain marginal. The water’s sitting around 57°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
Honestly, for the next couple weeks, it’s a waiting game. The 7th of September is the golden ticket. Be ready for it.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed night, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 199 | 255 | 246 | 232 | 326 | 214 | 206 | 203 | 201 | 183 | 134 | 171 | 164 | 339 | 281 | 315 | 759 | 751 | 487 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:25PM1.72m | 10:58AM1.38m | 9:14PM1.77m | 11:24AM1.42m | 9:58PM1.81m | 11:48AM1.47m | 10:40PM1.82m | 12:11PM1.52m | 11:21PM1.80m | 12:34PM1.58m | 00:03AM1.74m | 12:58PM1.65m | 00:47AM1.65m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:07AM0.05m | 3:54PM0.95m | 4:43AM0.01m | 4:33PM0.87m | 5:15AM-0.01m | 5:10PM0.79m | 5:45AM-0.01m | 5:45PM0.69m | 6:14AM0.03m | 6:22PM0.59m | 6:43AM0.11m | 7:01PM0.47m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | 8:02 | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 337 | 242 | 158 | 88 | 326 | 214 | 206 | 203 | 201 | 183 | 78 | 60 | 111 | 339 | 281 | 315 | 759 | 751 | 487 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | NW 6 | S 13 | S 13 | W 13 | S 12 | W 6 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | W 12 |
| kJ | 124 | 255 | 246 | 232 | 39 | 126 | 125 | 89 | 72 | 22 | 134 | 171 | 164 | 66 | 62 | 88 | 34 | 19 | 25 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | W 15 | WNW 8 | S 12 | WSW 12 | W 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | S 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSE 11 | — | W 12 | S 11 |
| kJ | 199 | 106 | 153 | 146 | 126 | 71 | 37 | 72 | 49 | 69 | 102 | 125 | 106 | 62 | 87 | 38 | — | 12 | 20 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 3 | N 3 | N 3 | NNW 4 | N 3 | NW 8 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | 25 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 6 | 177 | 115 | 167 | 323 | 269 | 278 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 21 | 334 | 152 | 0 | 152 | 151 | 0 | 151 | 151 | 51 | 211 | 436 | 40 | 151 | 436 | 54 | 151 | 436 | 40 |
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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