Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 17 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
10.4° C
3.0° 

Cape Mendocino surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 24s period, SW swell with 801 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period. 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 0.9m 24s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) 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 2.0m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Mon 20th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Best Surf 8PM (Mon 20th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Most Powerful 2PM (Fri 24th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 24s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Mon afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
2
0
1
2
2
1
2
3
2
2
3
2
2
2
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
WNW
16
0.9
WNW
16
0.9
WNW
16
0.8
SW
18
0.9
WNW
16
2
NW
8
2
NW
8
0.9
SW
17
0.7
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
1
S
12
0.8
SSW
15
1.4
S
13
1.1
S
11
1.2
S
10
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
26
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
518
463
452
375
348
527
540
419
261
362
367
300
275
673
289
290
220
233
233
447
Wind (km/h)
25
N
15
N
20
NNW
25
NNW
15
N
15
NNW
20
NNW
15
N
5
SW
10
SSW
0
S
5
WSW
5
SSW
5
NNE
0
W
5
W
0
SSE
10
SW
15
NNW
15
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
3:01PM1.66m
2:11AM1.69m
3:40PM1.69m
3:10AM1.48m
4:20PM1.72m
4:18AM1.27m
5:00PM1.73m
5:43AM1.12m
5:42PM1.73m
7:28AM1.07m
6:27PM1.73m
9:03AM1.12m
7:14PM1.74m
Low Tide
8:45PM0.65m
9:05AM-0.04m
9:49PM0.58m
9:47AM0.18m
10:56PM0.49m
10:31AM0.41m
00:05AM0.40m
11:20AM0.62m
1:13AM0.29m
12:16PM0.80m
2:16AM0.19m
1:21PM0.93m
3:10AM0.09m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:05
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:45
8:44
8:44
8:43
8:42
8:42
8:40
 mm
2
Temp °C
16
14
15
16
14
15
16
14
14
15
14
18
17
18
20
19
18
17
17
17
Feels °C
12
10
12
13
10
13
14
11
14
14
14
18
16
18
20
18
17
16
17
15
  • 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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