
Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 659 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period with NW 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 17s. 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 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
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 on the cards for Cape Mendocino over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough run. The forecast shows a real block of flat, poor conditions for days on end. We've got a stretch from the 4th of September right through until the morning of the 18th of September where nothing is really worth a paddle. The wave energy is there, but the wind and the quality are just not playing ball. It's a long, quiet spell.
The first real glimmer of something half-decent pops up on the morning of Friday the 18th of September. We’re looking at a bit of a pulse from the NW, with swell heights around 6ft. The combined energy is moderate but strong-ish at 775, and it's coming from the NW. The wind is light from the NNW, keeping it a cross-shore breeze. The period is a short 8 seconds though, so it's not going to be the most powerful or well-shaped stuff. It's a marginal call, but it's the best chance we've had in a while.
That afternoon the swell sticks around at 6ft, the energy jumps up to a solid 1267, and the period stretches to 11 seconds. The wind picks up a bit from the north, but it's still cross-shore. This is looking like a slightly better chance for a few walls, but it's still a cross-shore breeze, so don't expect perfection.
The standout for this whole 16-day period is that Friday, the 18th of September. It's not a classic, but it's the only real window we've got. The swell is a solid 6ft from the NW, and while the period is a bit short in the morning, it gets a bit longer in the afternoon. The water is running at 53°F, which is a full 5°F colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll be wanting a thick wetsuit and booties. The wind is light, which is a big help, but it's not offshore. It's going to be a bit of a gamble, but if you're desperate for a wave, this is your shot.
Honestly, for the rest of the run, the wind is mostly a cross-shore breeze and the swell is inconsistent or small. There's a lot of "marginal" and "poor" in the data. The waves that do show up on the 18th are only really for the intermediate to advanced crew, as 6ft can be a handful for beginners. After that, it drops right back off again for the rest of the 19th.
So, if you're itching to get wet, pencil in Friday the 18th of September. Otherwise, it's a waiting game. Forecasts can change, but right now, this is a quiet period for the Cape.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
716 | 659 | 627 | 546 | 653 | 405 | 400 | 288 | 317 | 299 | 290 | 313 | 355 | 300 | 347 | 368 | 312 | 419 | 560 | 441 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:06PM1.83m | 8:17AM1.27m | 6:17PM1.84m | 9:14AM1.37m | 7:30PM1.87m | 9:58AM1.47m | 8:37PM1.91m | 10:36AM1.56m | 9:37PM1.94m | 11:11AM1.64m | 10:32PM1.91m | 11:44AM1.71m | 11:23PM1.85m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:00AM0.02m | 12:35PM1.04m | 2:10AM-0.05m | 1:56PM0.98m | 3:10AM-0.12m | 3:02PM0.86m | 4:00AM-0.14m | 3:59PM0.71m | 4:44AM-0.12m | 4:49PM0.56m | 5:23AM-0.05m | 5:37PM0.42m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SSW 15 | NW 9 | SSW 14 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | NW 7 | S 13 | NW 7 | NW 7 | S 12 | NNW 7 | S 12 | NW 7 | NNW 8 |
716 | 492 | 294 | 206 | 653 | 164 | 400 | 288 | 317 | 299 | 290 | 200 | 355 | 139 | 156 | 325 | 102 | 221 | 119 | 236 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NW 9 | SSW 15 | NW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSE 14 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | NW 7 | S 11 | NNW 7 | SW 17 | SSW 16 |
576 | 659 | 627 | 546 | 190 | 405 | 126 | 236 | 233 | 293 | 118 | 313 | 118 | 300 | 347 | 116 | 149 | 77 | 560 | 441 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSE 14 | SSW 11 | SSE 16 | NW 8 | NW 12 | WNW 12 | NW 11 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | S 11 | S 11 |
80 | 144 | 142 | 86 | 37 | 68 | 191 | 66 | 38 | 56 | 32 | 118 | 111 | 83 | 184 | 368 | 312 | 419 | 209 | 184 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | — | NNW 3 | NW 5 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | — | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 |
— | — | — | 11 | 26 | — | 7 | 42 | 178 | 181 | 235 | — | 173 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 292 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 152 | 0 | 151 | 211 | 40 | 151 | 437 | 40 | 151 | 51 | 40 | 151 | 54 | 40 | 152 | 51 | 0 | 54 | 54 | 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.










