Cape Mendocino surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 am Tuesday 05 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
10.4° C
(Which is 1.4°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 Wednesday (May 06) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. 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 1.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 06) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (May 12) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 6th May)2.5ft (0.7m) 15s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 12th May)4.5ft (1.4m) 11s
Most Powerful11PM (Wed 6th May)4.5ft (1.4m) 12s

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 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WNW
12
1.1
WNW
12
0.7
SW
15
0.8
SSW
16
1.3
WNW
13
1.3
WNW
12
1.3
WNW
12
1.2
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
11
0.9
WNW
10
0.6
WNW
16
0.7
WNW
15
0.8
WNW
14
0.9
WNW
13
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
18
1
W
10
0.6
SSW
18
0.7
SW
16
1
WNW
13
1.4
WNW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
405
317
223
310
530
485
461
366
286
160
166
188
229
303
261
397
198
243
258
367
521
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
20
NNW
10
N
15
NW
20
NNW
20
N
10
NW
25
NNW
15
N
20
NNW
25
N
20
NNE
25
N
25
N
20
N
30
NNW
30
N
25
N
25
N
25
N
10
N
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
3:54PM1.19m
1:43AM1.55m
4:50PM1.19m
2:29AM1.48m
5:45PM1.20m
3:23AM1.41m
6:33PM1.25m
4:27AM1.33m
7:11PM1.31m
5:40AM1.26m
7:43PM1.40m
6:57AM1.23m
8:14PM1.51m
Low Tide
8:36AM-0.16m
8:19PM1.00m
9:20AM-0.10m
9:14PM1.03m
10:10AM-0.04m
10:29PM1.04m
11:04AM0.01m
11:51PM0.98m
11:58AM0.06m
1:02AM0.86m
12:50PM0.12m
1:59AM0.67m
1:39PM0.19m
2:48AM0.45m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:11
6:09
6:07
6:07
6:05
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:15
8:16
8:17
8:19
8:20
8:21
8:22
Temp °C
13
14
12
12
13
12
13
13
11
13
14
12
13
15
12
14
15
12
15
16
15
11
11
9
9
10
8
11
10
7
8
9
7
8
10
8
9
10
7
10
11
13
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WNW
12
1.1
WNW
12
0.9
WNW
11
0.9
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
13
1.3
WNW
12
1.3
WNW
12
1.2
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
11
0.9
WNW
10
0.8
WNW
10
0.7
WNW
15
0.9
W
10
0.9
WNW
13
1
W
11
1.2
W
12
1
W
10
0.7
W
9
0.8
WNW
10
1
WNW
13
1.8
NNW
8
Energy kJ
405
317
214
167
530
485
461
366
286
160
125
188
153
303
260
397
198
78
128
367
457
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
NNW
8
0.7
SW
14
0.7
SW
15
0.9
WNW
14
0.7
SW
16
1.1
NW
7
0.7
SW
14
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SSW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.6
WNW
16
0.6
WNW
9
0.8
WNW
14
0.9
W
10
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
18
0.4
SSW
18
0.6
WNW
11
0.7
SW
16
0.7
SSW
16
1.4
WNW
12
Energy kJ
90
211
223
277
245
112
208
203
120
85
166
56
229
148
261
364
123
95
258
226
521
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
17
0.2
S
11
0.7
NNW
8
0.8
SSW
16
0.2
S
12
0.7
SW
14
0.1
SW
20
0.2
SSW
19
0.4
NW
17
0.4
WNW
16
0.5
SW
13
0.5
SW
18
0.4
SSW
18
0.4
SSW
20
0.7
W
9
0.2
SSW
12
0.4
WNW
12
0.6
SSW
18
0.2
S
18
0.2
S
16
0.8
SSW
16
Energy kJ
195
9
61
310
11
208
15
37
76
102
83
152
127
151
81
14
56
243
26
19
288
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NNW
8
1.1
NW
7
1.1
NW
7
1.2
NW
7
1
NNW
8
0.9
NNW
8
0.9
NNW
8
0.8
NNW
7
1.3
NNW
6
1.6
NNW
6
1.6
NNW
7
1.5
NNW
7
1.5
NNW
6
1.4
NNW
6
1.7
NNW
7
1.7
NNW
7
Energy kJ
105
137
118
131
117
94
113
71
100
185
273
192
164
156
256
286
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
1
2
1
1
2
3
2
3
2
3
3
2
3
4
Distance (km)
294
151
51
151
151
51
74
151
54
151
149
40
262
436
40
151
54
40
219
51
40
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
2
2
3
4
1
4
3
2
4
3
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
7
5
6
5
6
8
7
6
5
6
4
4
5
5
5
6
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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