Cape Mendocino surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Thursday 21 May 2026 PDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Cape Mendocino surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
8.5° C
(Which is 3.6°C colder than average for this time of year)

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 (May 24) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s. 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 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 26) 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 4.0m 9s period and expected on Thursday (May 28) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sun 24th May)2.5ft (0.7m) 16s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 26th May)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 8PM (Tue 26th May)13ft (4.0m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the NNW by Tue afternoon).

Thu
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
2
0
2
3
1
2
2
!
0
!
!
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
11
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
2.1
NW
9
0.6
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.8
WNW
16
1.2
WNW
15
1.3
WNW
13
1.4
WNW
13
0.9
SSW
16
2.3
NW
13
3.5
NW
13
4
NW
13
4
NW
12
3.5
NW
11
2.1
WNW
10
1.1
WNW
21
1.8
WNW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
183
116
154
154
639
198
255
258
322
568
545
630
422
1736
3799
4808
4909
3003
904
1071
2117
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
20
N
25
NNW
30
N
15
N
15
NW
15
NNW
5
SSW
20
S
15
SSW
10
S
15
SSW
5
WSW
15
N
20
NNW
35
NNW
30
N
35
N
30
N
30
N
40
N
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
5:15PM1.44m
3:42AM1.58m
6:08PM1.50m
4:56AM1.41m
6:56PM1.57m
6:17AM1.27m
7:39PM1.64m
7:41AM1.19m
8:18PM1.70m
8:59AM1.16m
8:52PM1.74m
10:08AM1.18m
9:24PM1.76m
11:08AM1.21m
Low Tide
10:35PM0.85m
11:07AM-0.19m
11:58PM0.75m
12:04PM-0.03m
1:13AM0.58m
12:59PM0.14m
2:19AM0.39m
1:49PM0.30m
3:13AM0.20m
2:37PM0.45m
4:01AM0.04m
3:21PM0.60m
4:42AM-0.09m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:31
8:32
8:34
8:35
8:35
8:36
8:37
8:37
1
Temp °C
15
13
14
14
12
12
12
11
13
14
11
13
13
11
13
13
11
12
12
10
11
10
9
9
9
7
9
9
8
9
10
9
11
10
7
9
7
4
5
5
4
3
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
11
3
NNW
9
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
2.1
NW
9
1.8
NNW
8
0.9
WNW
10
1.3
NNW
7
1.3
NNW
8
1.2
NNW
8
1.3
WNW
13
1.4
WNW
13
1.2
WNW
12
2.3
NW
13
3.5
NW
13
4
NW
13
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
2.1
WNW
10
1.1
WNW
21
1.8
WNW
18
Energy kJ
183
1388
154
154
639
392
148
193
215
165
545
630
378
1736
3799
4808
348
242
904
1071
2117
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.9
WNW
10
0.7
SW
16
0.8
WNW
9
0.8
WNW
16
1.2
WNW
15
0.9
NNW
7
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.1
S
10
0.6
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
14
Energy kJ
112
116
109
110
109
171
255
108
322
568
72
344
422
464
424
348
348
2
163
163
116
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
S
13
0.4
S
13
0.4
S
13
0.4
S
13
0.4
S
12
0.6
SW
16
0.4
S
13
0.7
SW
16
0.8
WNW
10
0.8
WNW
9
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
NNW
7
0.4
NNW
6
0.3
S
11
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.9
WNW
12
0.2
WNW
23
Energy kJ
55
54
51
51
49
198
52
258
103
96
140
25
16
20
8
8
213
54
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
NNW
9
3
NNW
10
3
NNW
9
1.3
N
9
1.5
NNW
8
1.2
NW
5
4
NW
12
3.5
NW
11
2.5
NNW
11
3
NNW
9
3
NNW
8
Energy kJ
990
1684
1254
257
247
76
4909
3003
1475
1564
1320
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
3
4
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
2
1
5
4
3
4
3
Distance (km)
51
41
51
51
51
191
51
0
152
86
0
180
86
54
895
438
75
316
437
68
437
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
3
4
2
3
3
3
3
4
5
4
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
3
4
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
6
2
2
7
4
3
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
7
6
5
4
8
5
6
5
5
4
4
4
6
5
6
9
6
5
9
7
  • 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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