Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, S swell with 555 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, reporting in feet. Let’s get real about what’s coming up for Cape Mendocino.
First off, the whole 16-day window is a bit of a tough one. The surf is on offer, but it’s pretty lackluster for the most part. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak, and windswept conditions. The real standout, and it’s a big one, is way out on Friday, September 4th.
Let’s run through it. Starting from right now, we’re looking at weak, small waves. The energy is low with a tiny 2 ft south-southwest swell and a 13-second period, but the wind is a cross-shore chop. Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are about the same story – small, messy, and not worth paddling out for. The combined energy never gets above 335, and the wind stays annoying.
Monday the 24th morning offers a tiny bit of hope with a 5 ft northwest swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it’s gonna be weak and crumbly. The combined energy leaps to 666, but the wind is still cross-shore and the forecast is marginal at best. The rest of that week into the next is a write-off: small, cross-shore winds, and poor conditions. There’s a lot of energy between 375 and 857, but it’s all wind-affected and the wave heights are tiny.
Then we get to the big one. On Friday, September 4th morning, the forecast is wild. A massive 12 ft northwest swell, but with a short period of 9 seconds. The combined energy reads a massive 2448. That’s a lot of power. But here’s the kicker: the model says it’s too big for this break. The wind is cross-shore from the north at 22 mph, which is a fresh breeze, lumping it up. This is a setup for experts only. The size is over 8 ft, so it’s far too big for beginners. The short period and big swell will make it a washing machine.
For the rest of the month, from the 31st of August through to the 6th of September, it’s back to the same old story: small, weak, and cross-shore. The energy is low, and it’s just not happening.
So, honestly, there’s only one session that stands out, and it’s a risky one for the big dogs only. The rest of the time, the board stays in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | NW 8 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 98 | 99 | 111 | 94 | 231 | 164 | 199 | 305 | 192 | 232 | 326 | 214 | 206 | 203 | 201 | 183 | 476 | 516 | 383 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:48AM1.27m | 7:30PM1.67m | 10:27AM1.34m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:33AM0.18m | 2:14PM1.05m | 3:24AM0.11m | 3:09PM1.01m | 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 | |||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | 8:06 | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:57 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 |
| kJ | 74 | 62 | 54 | 90 | 231 | 164 | 436 | 305 | 229 | 106 | 52 | 214 | 206 | 203 | 201 | 183 | 476 | 516 | 383 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | WNW 9 | SSW 15 | S 16 | S 16 | SW 18 | S 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | W 8 | W 8 | W 12 | SW 15 | W 12 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 78 | 54 | 98 | 47 | 75 | 76 | 124 | 255 | 153 | 232 | 326 | 126 | 125 | 31 | 29 | 71 | 134 | 136 | 164 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | S 14 | SW 18 | S 14 | S 13 | W 15 | W 8 | W 13 | S 12 | WNW 7 | W 11 | SW 15 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 98 | 99 | 111 | 94 | 29 | 30 | 199 | 106 | 192 | 146 | 126 | 71 | 35 | 85 | 45 | 17 | 61 | 171 | 36 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | N 5 |
| kJ | — | — | 81 | 104 | 189 | 362 | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | 29 | 15 | 22 | 15 | 27 | 34 | 23 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 75 | 437 | 54 | 244 | 54 | 21 | 211 | 86 | 21 | 152 | 134 | 51 | 151 | 54 | 51 | 211 | 211 | 51 |
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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