Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, NW swell with 745 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s 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 1.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin' for Cape Mendocino over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you. The next week or so looks pretty grim. We’re staring down a long, flat spell with hardly anything worth paddling out for. Things are real quiet, with a lot of marginal or poor conditions. The first sign of anything worthwhile doesn’t pop up until Thursday, 3rd of September.
That morning, we’ve got a 3ft swell coming from the SW with a very long period of 19 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy sits at 1065 (moderate), which is a hint of life. The wind is light from the S, but it’s cross-shore, so it won’t be glassy. The tide or something else is a bit questionable, so it’s only a marginal call. Still, it’s the best of a bad bunch early on.
The real standouts, though, and the ones that have me talking, are on Thursday, 10th September, and Friday, 11th September. Now, these are a full week and a half away, so keep that in mind, but the models are showing a solid pulse. On Thursday morning, we’re looking at a 10ft swell from the NW, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is a massive 2146 (strong). The wind is super light from the SSW, only 10 km/h, and it’s cross-onshore. The notes say wind and tide are favorable, but the swell is too big for this break. At 10ft, that’s expert territory only, and for a spot like Cape Mendocino, that’s a serious, heavy wave. It’s way too big for beginners.
Friday, 11th September, is a repeat performance. Another 10ft NW swell, this time with a 10-second period, and combined energy of 2165 (strong). The wind shifts to a light W at 5 km/h and goes straight offshore. That’s the golden ticket. Offshore wind and a big, powerful swell. Again, this is only for the experienced crew. If you’re not solid, stay on the beach.
After that pulse, the energy drops off a cliff. By Saturday the 12th, we’re back to small, weak surf and by the 14th, it’s barely a ripple.
So, the bottom line: the first week is a write-off. The second week has a massive, powerful, offshore wind swell on the 10th and 11th of September that’s the true standout, but it’s for experts only. The morning of the 3rd of September offers a small, long-period option for the patient surfer.
Stay safe, and keep your eyes on the horizon.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 19 | WNW 10 | SSW 18 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 554 | 405 | 400 | 325 | 210 | 222 | 208 | 151 | 249 | 137 | 214 | 513 | 622 | 553 | 651 | 614 | 612 | 487 | 469 | 519 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | on | on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:37AM1.53m | 1:55PM1.76m | 2:34AM1.40m | 2:29PM1.80m | 3:43AM1.27m | 3:11PM1.82m | 5:11AM1.18m | 4:03PM1.83m | 6:53AM1.19m | 5:06PM1.83m | 8:17AM1.27m | 6:17PM1.84m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:44PM0.37m | 7:46AM0.37m | 8:32PM0.27m | 8:22AM0.55m | 9:27PM0.20m | 9:03AM0.72m | 10:30PM0.14m | 9:54AM0.88m | 11:43PM0.09m | 11:07AM1.00m | 1:00AM0.02m | 12:35PM1.04m | 2:10AM-0.05m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | NNW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 |
| kJ | 554 | 347 | 229 | 121 | 54 | 222 | 208 | 141 | 138 | 137 | 155 | 495 | 622 | 379 | 626 | 614 | 408 | 300 | 230 | 176 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 6 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | NNW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 9 | 405 | 400 | 325 | 210 | 198 | 154 | 151 | 249 | 85 | 70 | 513 | 248 | 382 | 651 | 576 | 612 | 487 | 469 | 519 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | NW 11 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSW 10 |
| kJ | 7 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 46 | 90 | 76 | 42 | 90 | 130 | 214 | 57 | 186 | 553 | 88 | 55 | 30 | 111 | 59 | 32 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | SSE 2 | SSE 3 | SE 3 | SSE 4 | S 4 | SE 3 | — | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 382 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 16 | 3 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 437 | 0 | 152 | 86 | 0 | 21 | 68 | 0 | 219 | 51 | 21 | 40 | 128 | 51 | 437 | 438 | 0 | 151 | 437 | 0 |
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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