Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
12.5° C
1.9° 

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 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SSW swell with 314 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s 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 0.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11PM. 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 15s
Best Surf 2AM (Mon 24th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 18s
Most Powerful11PM (Wed 19th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s ahead for Cape Mendocino.

Honestly, looking at the whole 16-day window, it’s a tough stretch. We’re staring down a long dry spell. The forecast is mostly filled with poor surf conditions and a persistent cross-shore wind that just won’t let up. The first spot that shows even a glimmer of a chance isn’t until Thursday the 20th, and even then it’s just marginal.

So, for the next week, it’s a grind. From now through most of the next week, you’ve got a moderate breeze coming from the north or north-northwest, creating a lumpy cross-chop almost every session. The swell is small—under 3 ft—and coming from the SSW, but with that wind, it’s just not worth paddling out. The wave energy is there, but it’s messy.

There is one little window that stands out. Monday the 24th, in the afternoon. This is the only real highlight I can see. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, with a slight air. The swell is a clean 2 ft from the southwest with a long 18-second period. That long period means the energy will be more organized, but at a beach-and-reef setup like this, a long, straight groundswell can be a bit tricky. Still, with glassy conditions, it will be the cleanest we’ll see all forecast. That’s your best bet by a long shot. Crowds are likely here sometimes.

After that, it gets ugly again. The wind picks right back up into the 16-22 mph range from the north through the end of August. This is a strong, fresh breeze with a lumpy cross-chop. The swell does pick up a touch at the end of the month, hitting 3 ft on Saturday the 29th and even 4 ft on the 1st of September, but the wind is just trashing the surface. This much cross-shore wind and choppy conditions makes it look better for a kite session than a proper paddle surf.

In the second week, we see the swell direction shift to the NW in early September, with periods dropping to 10-12 seconds. The size is there (3-4 ft), but the wind is still a problem. By Wednesday the 2nd, the swell is back from the SSW with a longer 17-second period, but the wind is up again. A persistent, strong cross-wind just kills the quality here.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
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
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
2
1
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.4
SW
18
0.5
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.5
S
16
0.5
SW
19
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
249
291
273
305
314
233
226
236
156
111
99
99
111
124
181
164
155
255
192
181
Wind (km/h)
25
N
25
N
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
20
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNE
25
N
25
N
10
N
10
NNW
15
N
5
NNW
10
SSW
5
NNE
15
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross
glassy
cross
High Tide
3:55PM1.71m
5:35AM1.14m
4:39PM1.68m
7:24AM1.13m
5:31PM1.65m
8:53AM1.20m
6:30PM1.65m
9:48AM1.27m
7:30PM1.67m
10:27AM1.34m
8:25PM1.72m
10:58AM1.38m
9:14PM1.77m
Low Tide
11:15PM0.32m
10:37AM0.85m
00:23AM0.29m
11:45AM0.99m
1:32AM0.24m
1:04PM1.05m
2:33AM0.18m
2:14PM1.05m
3:24AM0.11m
3:09PM1.01m
4:07AM0.05m
3:54PM0.95m
4:43AM0.01m
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clear
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clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:35
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:10
8:08
8:07
8:06
8:05
8:02
8:01
 mm
Temp °C
16
13
16
17
14
16
17
14
16
16
14
17
17
14
17
17
14
16
15
13
Feels °C
12
9
12
13
11
12
13
11
14
13
11
13
13
11
16
15
12
15
14
12
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  • 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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