Cape Mendocino surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 pm Monday 15 Dec 2025 PST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Cape Mendocino surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
12.0° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cape Mendocino this week:

The surf forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 12 days are 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Friday (Dec 19) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Wed 17th Dec)8ft (2.5m) 11s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 18th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 7AM (Fri 19th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon night, min 9°C on Wed afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Wed night, fresh winds from the SSE by Thu morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 61mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds.

Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Mon
22
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
2
2
3
!
2
2
!
!
3
3
4
3
1
1
2
0
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
W
2.5
W
2.2
W
2.4
WSW
2.3
W
2.3
NW
3
WNW
1.6
W
1.9
W
3
WNW
3
W
2
W
2
NW
1.9
NW
1.7
NW
1.6
NW
1.8
SW
1.9
SW
1.7
WSW
1.4
NW
1.4
NW
Period(s) (?)1212121212111111101110101212111188999
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1920173813321538140611972109588725201717528841125980683533375467442325318
Wind
(km/h)
10
S
20
S
20
SSE
25
SSW
25
NNE
15
N
20
S
25
SSE
30
SSE
35
SSE
20
S
15
NNE
15
NNE
5
E
10
SE
25
SSE
25
S
20
SSE
40
S
15
NNW
5
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
glass
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:01AM
1.80
10:21PM
1.28
8:34AM
1.81
11:06PM
1.32
9:07AM
1.82
11:47PM
1.35
9:42AM
1.83
12:24AM
1.37
10:19AM
1.83
1:00AM
1.37
10:56AM
1.81
1:35AM
1.38
11:35AM
1.77
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:12AM
0.85
3:35PM
-0.04
2:56AM
0.93
4:10PM
-0.12
3:38AM
0.99
4:44PM
-0.18
4:17AM
1.03
5:18PM
-0.21
4:54AM
1.05
5:52PM
-0.22
5:31AM
1.06
6:27PM
-0.22
6:11AM
1.06
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Mon
22
Sunrise-7:33--7:33--7:35--7:35--7:35--7:37--7:37-
Sunset--4:52--4:52--4:52--4:52--4:52--4:53--4:53
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
mod rain
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
Rain (mm)
3141610-----1491-1810513273-
Temp. °C161515151110131414131311101214141414141111
Feels °C (?)161312116678981086116911128910
  • 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 12 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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