Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, NW 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★+): Monday 31 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period with SSW 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 (Aug 31) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 6s. 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 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| 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
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Cape Mendocino over the next couple of weeks.
First up, the outlook is pretty grim to start. We've got a stretch from Thursday, August 27th, all the way through to the end of the month with next to nothing. The waves are there, but the wind is a constant cross-shore mess, blowing at 12 to 18 mph, and the combined energy is weak to moderate, topping out around 799. It's all "poor surf conditions" on the report for that whole period, so save your energy.
There’s a bit of a shift come the first of September. Things are still marginal, but the energy starts building. Tuesday morning the 1st sees a drop in wind, but the swell is small. Wednesday the 2nd morning shows a bit more promise with a 2ft SSW swell at a very long 18 seconds. The groundswell period is significant, meaning cleaner, more powerful lines, but it's small and the cross-shore wind is still a factor.
The real glimmer in this forecast is the period around the 4th and 5th of September. Saturday the 5th is the standout. The wind backs off to a light 6 mph from the NNW, going cross-on. That's not perfect, but it’s a big improvement. We get a 4ft SSW swell with a period of 16 seconds. The combined energy hits 1159, which is solidly moderate. The wave comment is "marginal" but the score is the highest we see.
Cape Mendocino (Cape-Mendocino) is your best bet here. It's an exposed spot that loves a SSW swell, and with that long period, it'll wrap in and hit the reef and points nicely. The light wind will keep the surface clean, and the long period means longer waits between sets but better shape. It’s fairly consistent, so there will be waves to be had. That Saturday morning window is the one to circle, just keep in mind that crowds are sometimes an issue here.
The following week keeps things marginal. Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th still have that 4ft to 4ft SSW swell, but the wind picks up a bit. By Wednesday the 9th, we see a brief window of offshore wind from the WSW at just 3 mph with a 4ft SW swell at 18 seconds, and the energy jumps to 1156. That is a promising setup for the region. The long period point break potential is high, but it's a 16-day call, so keep your expectations in check.
Overall, it’s a slow start. The first week is a write-off. The second week offers a few windows, with Saturday the 5th and Wednesday the 9th morning being the best bets for a decent session. It’s not a classic run of swell, but there’s enough there to get a few if you’re patient.
Stay salty.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | NW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
183 | 135 | 171 | 164 | 339 | 281 | 315 | 759 | 751 | 627 | 733 | 463 | 405 | 400 | 325 | 210 | 154 | 192 | 208 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 2:29PM1.80m | 3:43AM1.27m | ||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:22AM0.55m | 9:27PM0.20m | |||||||
— | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | NW 7 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 |
183 | 113 | 128 | 143 | 339 | 281 | 315 | 759 | 751 | 627 | 733 | 463 | 405 | 400 | 325 | 54 | 100 | 192 | 208 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 12 | NW 8 | SW 13 | SSE 10 | W 10 | S 10 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 21 | W 10 | W 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
120 | 135 | 171 | 164 | 99 | 65 | 88 | 19 | 19 | 7 | 21 | 10 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 210 | 154 | 154 | 151 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | SW 15 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 13 | S 11 | SSE 10 | W 11 | S 9 | W 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SE 13 | SW 19 | W 10 | SSE 15 | S 14 | SSE 12 |
26 | 134 | 106 | 91 | 62 | 62 | 35 | 21 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 71 | 93 | 119 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | N 3 | N 3 | N 3 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | — | NW 7 | NNW 3 | — |
2 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 133 | 120 | 218 | 269 | 254 | 307 | 440 | 478 | 393 | 211 | 137 | — | 35 | 4 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 51 | 151 | 436 | 51 | 151 | 437 | 40 | 437 | 437 | 41 | 151 | 316 | 54 | 151 | 80 | 0 | 211 | 211 | 40 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











