Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with 877 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 2s is also forecast. 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 1.2m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 2.2m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Yo, it’s Rusty. Let’s get real about the Cape for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a pretty flat and messy outlook from now until early September. Most days you’re looking at weak surf – like 2 ft to 3 ft – with a lot of onshore or side-shore wind from the north and northwest. That’s going to chop it up something fierce. We’re talking about a solid run of poor surf from Tuesday the 25th of August through to the 7th of September, so don’t expect much.
The water temp is around 56°, which is about 3° colder than average, so it’s a bit nippy.
The only real standout that might be worth a look is on Monday, September 7th. There’s a 5 ft short-period swell from the NW (8 seconds) with a combined energy of 633 – that’s moderate. The wind eases to a gentle side-shore from the NNW, so it won’t be as choppy as what we’ve been dealing with. It’s still a marginal call because of the tide, but if you’re desperate, Cape Mendocino might have a couple of lumpy peaks.
Then on Wednesday, September 9th, the swell really picks up – 7 ft from the NW, 10-second period, with strong energy (1372). That’s expert territory, and it’s still cross-shore from the north at around 12 mph. The surface will be lumpy, so it’s not going to be glassy, but for the crew with bigger boards and a bit of nerve, there could be some power in the water.
For the beginners, stay away from anything over 5 ft, and definitely don’t go out on that 7 ft day. Also, remember that those longer period groundswells (like the 16-second stuff earlier) can make beach breaks unpredictable, but Cape Mendocino is an exposed spot so it might handle it alright.
It’s a lean run overall. Just one of those quiet spells. Things’ll turn around.
Keep the faith,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 9 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 214 | 206 | 203 | 201 | 183 | 150 | 171 | 164 | 339 | 281 | 315 | 759 | 751 | 627 | 733 | 554 | 405 | 400 | 325 | 210 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:58PM1.81m | 11:48AM1.47m | 10:40PM1.82m | 12:11PM1.52m | 11:21PM1.80m | 12:34PM1.58m | 00:03AM1.74m | 12:58PM1.65m | 00:47AM1.65m | 1:25PM1.71m | 1:37AM1.53m | 1:55PM1.76m | 2:34AM1.40m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:33PM0.87m | 5:15AM-0.01m | 5:10PM0.79m | 5:45AM-0.01m | 5:45PM0.69m | 6:14AM0.03m | 6:22PM0.59m | 6:43AM0.11m | 7:01PM0.47m | 7:13AM0.23m | 7:44PM0.37m | 7:46AM0.37m | 8:32PM0.27m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | |
 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 214 | 206 | 203 | 201 | 183 | 150 | 108 | 154 | 339 | 281 | 315 | 759 | 751 | 627 | 733 | 554 | 405 | 400 | 325 | 210 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 13 | W 13 | W 12 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | NW 9 | NW 8 | SW 13 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | SSE 16 | NW 6 |
| kJ | 126 | 125 | 89 | 75 | 120 | 135 | 171 | 164 | 77 | 53 | 88 | 32 | 15 | 7 | 21 | 9 | 18 | 17 | 51 | 40 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 15 | WNW 8 | S 12 | SSW 12 | W 7 | SW 15 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | — | — | W 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 17 | W 10 | S 15 |
| kJ | 71 | 37 | 75 | 47 | 26 | 134 | 106 | 91 | 103 | 89 | 56 | — | — | 11 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 17 | 115 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | N 2 | NNW 6 | N 6 | N 3 | — | NNW 4 | N 3 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | — |
| kJ | 32 | 1 | 11 | 16 | 1 | — | 10 | 5 | 99 | 85 | 136 | 237 | 314 | 501 | 443 | 312 | 150 | 85 | 62 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 151 | 0 | 151 | 151 | 0 | 211 | 211 | 51 | 151 | 437 | 40 | 262 | 437 | 40 | 151 | 437 | 40 | 151 | 134 | 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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