
Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 627 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s 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 16) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 16s 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 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get to it. The 16-day window is a tough one for Cape Mendocino. There’s no immediate surf to speak of, so we’ve got a gap right from the start. The first half of the period is dominated by small, weak, and choppy conditions with a lot of cross-shore wind. It’s not until Thursday the 13th that we see a pulse of energy, but it’s messy. The wave energy climbs into the moderate to strong range, hitting 715 (moderate wave energy) on the afternoon of the 13th, but the swell is short-period at 8 seconds and comes straight from the NW at 7ft – that’s a steep, dumpy beach break scenario. The wind is cross-shore from the NNW at 20 km/h (12 mph), so expect lumpy, cross-chop conditions. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, to be honest.
The water temperature is 53°F – which is 5°F colder than normal for this time of year. That’s notably chilly.
Friday the 14th morning offers the best chance for a wave, though that’s not saying much. Swell is 6ft from the NW at 8 seconds (still short period), with cross-onshore wind from the NW at 15 km/h (9 mph). The combined energy is 656 (moderate wave energy). It’s marginal, but it’s the most rideable size in the first week. Still, you’re fighting a gentle cross-onshore bump.
The second week isn’t any kinder. We get more small 3ft to 4ft SW groundswells, but the wind remains predominantly cross-shore or cross-onshore. The swell direction (SSW) is not the optimum SW for the break. A few sessions on the 16th, 18th, and 19th have light wind and the swell period climbs to 15–16 seconds (long-period groundswell), which would traditionally give cleaner lines at a reef or point, but at a beach break like Cape Mendocino, those long-period swells tend to close out. Combine that with the small size (3ft to 4ft), and it’s marginal at best. The wave energy is moderate (379 to 661).
From the 20th onward, it’s back to poor surf with moderate cross-shore wind and energy dropping into the 149–287 range (weak to low moderate energy). The afternoon of 23 August jumps up to 5ft from the NW at 8 seconds (short period), but again, it’s cross-shore and lumpy. No real standouts here. This is a blank run that feels normal for the area when the wind doesn’t cooperate. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a struggle.
Stay hopeful, but keep the board in the car for a quick dash if the wind shifts.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | SSW 14 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
163 | 134 | 102 | 113 | 209 | 207 | 137 | 173 | 206 | 477 | 335 | 326 | 212 | 280 | 576 | 505 | 493 | 612 | 596 | 431 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:39PM2.09m | 11:49AM1.53m | 10:34PM2.09m | 12:26PM1.60m | 11:26PM2.05m | 1:02PM1.66m | 00:17AM1.94m | 1:36PM1.71m | 1:08AM1.78m | 2:09PM1.74m | 2:00AM1.60m | 2:43PM1.75m | 2:58AM1.41m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:57PM0.89m | 5:08AM-0.34m | 4:52PM0.79m | 5:51AM-0.32m | 5:45PM0.68m | 6:32AM-0.24m | 6:36PM0.58m | 7:11AM-0.11m | 7:28PM0.49m | 7:49AM0.06m | 8:19PM0.43m | 8:26AM0.26m | 9:14PM0.38m | |||||||
— | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
8:22 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SSW 14 | NW 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
163 | 92 | 102 | 59 | 209 | 207 | 137 | 173 | 206 | 201 | 335 | 326 | 140 | 160 | 576 | 505 | 493 | 612 | 596 | 431 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 |
98 | 134 | 95 | 113 | 40 | 34 | 68 | 70 | 29 | 28 | 245 | 181 | 212 | 280 | 37 | 21 | 83 | 55 | 41 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SW 16 | WNW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | NW 16 | S 11 | S 11 | WNW 11 | SSW 20 | W 11 | SSW 14 | SSE 12 | WNW 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 |
2 | 39 | 18 | 33 | 53 | 14 | 32 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 25 | 149 | 20 | 186 | 15 | 13 | 51 | 49 | 48 | 27 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | NNW 8 | — | NW 7 | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — |
759 | 1159 | 899 | 770 | 705 | 575 | 530 | 1168 | 682 | 477 | — | — | 264 | — | 151 | 142 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 54 | 41 | 219 | 437 | 54 | 289 | 54 | 54 | 151 | 437 | 41 | 151 | 54 | 40 | 211 | 54 | 0 | 151 | 151 | 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.











