
Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, NW swell with 580 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period with SW 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 (Sep 12) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. 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 1.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) 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 2.4m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Cape Mendocino. The next couple of weeks are looking like a real mixed bag, and I won’t sugarcoat it – there’s a lot of wind-kicked chop to wade through. We’ve got moderate energy in the water right now, sitting around 486 (moderate energy), but the angles are all wrong for clean surf. Water temp is about 55°F, which is a solid 3°F below the usual for this time of year, so you’ll feel that chill.
Saturday the 12th is a no-go – that NW cross-onshore breeze is ruining the 3ft SW swell. Sunday and Monday are more of the same, with Monday the 14th seeing the swell jump to 7ft from the NW and combined energy hitting 845 (strong energy). But that north wind is screaming at 19 mph, cross-shore and lumpy. That’s kite territory, not a fun paddle. Anything over 5ft is too much for beginners, and this is well into expert-only size with those conditions.
There are a couple of small windows if you’re keen. Wednesday the 16th afternoon goes glassy – dead calm, 2ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period. It’s tiny, combined energy is just 169 (weak), but it’ll be dead smooth. That’s a nice little session for the patient surfer.
The real standout is a long way out: Thursday the 24th afternoon. Another glass-off with 2ft SW swell, 15-second period, and 236 combined energy (weak). The wind is nil, so the surface will be like a lake. That long-period groundswell from the SW works well on the points here, so the waves should have some push and shape, even if it’s not big.
Otherwise, from the 17th through the 23rd, it’s a long stretch of poor conditions – strong north winds, lumpy cross-chop, and not worth the drive. Thursday the 24th is the one to pencil in. It’s a small day, but it’ll be clean and glassy. That’s as good as it gets in this window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the NNW by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
407 | 301 | 293 | 242 | 397 | 513 | 458 | 490 | 147 | 140 | 122 | 87 | 121 | 121 | 104 | 330 | 354 | 256 | 303 | 303 | 303 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 12:45PM1.78m | 1:04AM1.62m | 1:14PM1.78m | 1:56AM1.48m | 1:43PM1.76m | 2:54AM1.35m | 2:16PM1.72m | 4:02AM1.24m | 2:53PM1.66m | 5:28AM1.19m | 3:40PM1.60m | 7:07AM1.20m | 4:38PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:07PM0.22m | 7:11AM0.38m | 7:51PM0.17m | 7:46AM0.56m | 8:37PM0.16m | 8:24AM0.74m | 9:27PM0.17m | 9:07AM0.90m | 10:23PM0.21m | 10:03AM1.02m | 11:28PM0.24m | 11:25AM1.09m | 00:39AM0.24m | ||||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | |
— | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | NW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | NW 8 | SW 16 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 |
178 | 256 | 213 | 242 | 397 | 402 | 84 | 188 | 147 | 140 | 122 | 87 | 632 | 121 | 348 | 330 | 354 | 256 | 193 | 188 | 162 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WNW 13 | NW 13 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | S 19 | SSW 18 | S 17 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 |
407 | 301 | 293 | 186 | 180 | 116 | 107 | 83 | 39 | 69 | 42 | 57 | 121 | 110 | 104 | 146 | 188 | 137 | 303 | 303 | 303 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | NW 9 | SW 19 | SW 19 | WSW 9 | WNW 15 | WNW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 20 | S 19 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
79 | 33 | 29 | 70 | 57 | 127 | 8 | 84 | 18 | 38 | 23 | 67 | 118 | 25 | 46 | 160 | 162 | 160 | 167 | 120 | 108 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 4 | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | — | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | — |
— | 7 | — | — | 7 | 513 | 458 | 490 | 605 | 700 | 723 | 659 | — | 541 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 128 | 40 | 0 | 436 | 438 | 40 | 294 | 436 | 40 | 219 | 54 | 40 | 151 | 51 | 0 | 170 | 52 | 0 | 152 | 59 | 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.










