Cape Mendocino surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Monday 11 May 2026 PDT
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
11.2° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 Tuesday (May 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 17) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Monday (May 18) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 12th May)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Best Surf 5AM (Sun 17th May)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 17th May)10ft (3.0m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Mon
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
!
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
11
1.2
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
11
1.7
W
13
1.9
WNW
12
1.6
W
11
1.6
WNW
10
2
NW
10
0.7
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
1
WNW
15
1.3
WNW
14
1.6
WNW
14
1.7
WNW
13
1.7
WNW
13
3
NW
12
1.8
NW
12
1.7
WNW
10
1.6
WNW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
494
503
356
303
454
942
969
617
500
757
266
263
428
732
889
972
943
2124
887
590
441
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
15
N
15
NNW
15
N
10
NNW
15
NNW
25
NNW
20
NNE
30
N
30
N
25
N
30
N
30
N
25
N
30
NNW
35
NNW
30
N
30
N
35
N
30
N
35
N
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
8:14PM1.51m
8:13AM1.23m
8:44PM1.62m
9:24AM1.25m
9:16PM1.75m
10:29AM1.30m
9:50PM1.86m
11:30AM1.34m
10:27PM1.96m
12:28PM1.37m
11:09PM2.01m
1:26PM1.39m
11:54PM2.02m
Low Tide
2:48AM0.45m
2:25PM0.28m
3:33AM0.19m
3:09PM0.39m
4:17AM-0.06m
3:53PM0.50m
5:01AM-0.30m
4:38PM0.61m
5:46AM-0.47m
5:24PM0.71m
6:34AM-0.58m
6:12PM0.79m
7:23AM-0.61m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:03
6:03
6:01
6:01
6:00
5:58
5:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:22
8:22
8:23
8:24
8:25
8:27
8:28
8:29
Temp °C
15
13
15
15
14
13
13
11
13
13
11
13
13
10
12
13
11
12
13
11
13
11
9
12
11
11
9
8
7
8
7
5
8
8
4
6
7
4
5
6
5
6
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
11
1.2
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
11
1.7
W
13
1.9
WNW
12
1.6
W
11
1.6
WNW
10
0.8
SSW
16
1
WNW
7
0.9
WNW
9
1
WNW
15
1.3
WNW
14
1.6
WNW
14
1.7
WNW
13
1.7
WNW
13
0.6
SSW
14
1.8
NW
12
1.7
WNW
10
1.6
WNW
9
Energy kJ
494
503
356
303
454
942
969
617
500
298
93
138
428
732
889
972
943
163
887
590
441
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.2
S
12
0.9
WNW
9
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.5
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
14
0.1
SW
18
0.5
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
13
Energy kJ
291
322
191
242
242
136
166
102
102
11
143
263
252
108
158
225
165
13
111
60
58
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
16
0.1
S
12
0.2
S
18
0.2
S
14
0.3
W
15
0.2
SSW
19
0.2
S
13
0.4
SSW
18
0.4
SSW
17
0.1
S
13
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
WNW
16
0.5
WNW
9
0.5
SSW
16
0.3
S
16
0.1
SW
19
0.1
S
20
0.1
S
20
0.1
SW
18
0.2
SSW
18
0.3
SW
18
Energy kJ
19
3
25
16
38
37
13
104
97
3
266
232
49
146
46
15
7
7
12
31
49
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
NNW
6
1.1
NNW
6
0.9
NNW
6
0.7
NNW
6
0.4
NNW
6
0.4
NNW
5
0.2
N
5
0.6
N
4
1
N
5
2
NW
10
1.4
NNW
7
1.5
NNW
6
1.7
NNW
6
1.9
NNW
7
1.6
NNW
6
1.4
NW
6
2.2
NW
7
3
NW
12
2
NNW
7
2.4
NNW
8
2
NNW
8
Energy kJ
115
94
58
30
12
9
2
9
49
757
180
161
202
323
196
138
515
2124
412
709
426
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
3
2
1
3
4
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
4
Distance (km)
54
40
294
128
21
437
438
54
262
436
54
437
436
80
436
780
114
436
437
59
262
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
2
3
2
2
4
4
2
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
8
9
8
9
4
8
5
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
5
4
  • 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 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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