Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this 16-day window for Cape Mendocino is a frustrating one. For the first several days, we’re looking at a real dry spell. From Friday the 31st of July all the way through Tuesday the 4th of August, it’s a washout. The wind is a persistent cross-shore, mostly from the north, blowing at 15 to 25 mph, making a mess of things. The swell is tiny, around 2 ft to 3 ft, and the ocean is just lumpy and chopped. Don’t bother paddling out; you’ll be fighting the wind and the current for nothing.

We finally get a pulse of energy on the 5th of August. Wednesday morning brings a 7 ft swell from the NW with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (853). That’s a decent size, but the wind is a light cross-onshore from the SW at 6 mph, so it’s a bit bumpy. The afternoon is the real standout here. The wind goes glassy, and the swell is still there, dropping to 1 ft from the SW with a 14-second period. The energy is low (86), but it’s glassy. On a day like that, Cape Mendocino can be a quiet, clean little wave. It’s an advanced spot, so don’t expect a learner wave.

After that, from the 6th of August all the way through to the 15th of August, it’s back to the same old story. The wind is a strong cross-shore, the swell is tiny and weak, and the ocean is a mess. The only real blip is on the 14th of August when the swell gets to 4 ft and 5 ft from the NW, with strong energy (1057 and 988), but the wind is a fresh cross-shore. It’s too blown out for good surfing. The 15th of August has a 5 ft swell, but it’s a short period 7-second wind swell, right on the choppy side.

So, the only real, honest-to-goodness surfable moment is the Wednesday afternoon glass-off on the 5th of August. Get out there if you can. The rest of the window is a write-off. It’s a tough run for a spot that can be world-class, but that’s the coast for you. We’ll get another one soon.

Rusty.

Read more