Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
10.3° C
3.1° 

Cape Mendocino surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 21s period, SSW swell with 1,221 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 15s. 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 1.2m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Sun 19th Jul)6.5ft (2.0m) 8s
Best Surf 8AM (Sun 19th Jul)6.5ft (2.0m) 8s
Most Powerful11AM (Sat 25th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 21s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a long, hard look at what Cape Mendocino has got cookin’ for the next couple of weeks. Gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead. The models are painting a pretty bleak picture for most of the run, with only a couple of narrow windows that might just scratch the itch.

We’ve got nearly two weeks coming up where it’s gonna be a real grind. The swell energy is there, but the quality is just not cooperating. For the most part, we’re dealing with messy, cross-shore winds that are gonna chop up whatever waves are showing. Don’t get too excited about the open ocean numbers because what’s hitting the beach isn't gonna be pretty.

Let’s start with the first real chance we get, around Monday the 20th. We’ve got a couple of small windows. Monday morning sees a clean little 2ft swell, 16 seconds period from the SW with a light offshore breeze from the WSW (10 km/h). The water temperature is a bone-chilling 51°F, which is over 5°F colder than usual for this time of year. That’s a serious anomaly – you’ll be needing a thick steamer and maybe some booties you forgot you owned. The combined swell energy is moderate (421). It’s tiny, but the conditions could be glassy for a session. Later Monday afternoon, a short-period 6ft NW windswell (8 seconds) rolls in with a clean 5 km/h offshore wind. The energy jumps up (925) but the period is short, so the waves will be a bit crumbly and fat. It’s a classic trade-off: size for shape.

Now, the second week is where we see the biggest swells, but don't get your hopes up for clean conditions. From Saturday the 25th into the following week, we’re looking at solid long-period groundswell in the 3ft to 4ft range, with periods stretching from 19 up to 21 seconds. The swell direction is a mix of SSW and SW, which is decent for the cape. However, the wind is a persistent and strong cross-shore from the N and NNW, blowing 25 to 30 km/h. The combined swell energy during this period is strong (1269 to 1653). But that strong cross-wind will chop it up, making for lumpy, difficult conditions. It's not ideal for a paddle surfer. For the more adventurous, with that much wind and solid swell, it could get interesting for a kite session.

The only real standout that might be worth paddling out for is the brief window on Monday afternoon the 20th. The 6ft from the NW is decent, the wind is glassy at just 5 km/h, and the break is exposed enough. It's the best quality we're going to see. For the rest, you’re best off waiting or finding something else to do.

Bottom line: a long, lean period ahead. Check Monday the 20th, otherwise, this cape is mostly a no-go.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
3
1
2
3
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
16
0.8
SW
18
1.9
NW
8
2
NW
8
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
0.7
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
15
1.1
S
14
0.7
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
26
0.6
SSW
24
0.9
SW
24
0.6
SW
23
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
452
375
423
527
434
419
261
390
367
245
275
494
191
114
220
236
233
447
374
801
440
Wind (km/h)
20
NNW
25
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
20
NNW
15
NNW
10
WSW
5
W
5
NW
10
WNW
15
NNW
10
N
15
NNW
20
N
15
N
20
NNW
25
N
20
N
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
on
on
glassy
on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
3:40PM1.69m
3:10AM1.48m
4:20PM1.72m
4:18AM1.27m
5:00PM1.73m
5:43AM1.12m
5:42PM1.73m
7:28AM1.07m
6:27PM1.73m
9:03AM1.12m
7:14PM1.74m
10:11AM1.21m
8:03PM1.75m
Low Tide
9:05AM-0.04m
9:49PM0.58m
9:47AM0.18m
10:56PM0.49m
10:31AM0.41m
00:05AM0.40m
11:20AM0.62m
1:13AM0.29m
12:16PM0.80m
2:16AM0.19m
1:21PM0.93m
3:10AM0.09m
2:25PM1.00m
3:58AM0.01m
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clear
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clear
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clear
clear
part cloud
clear
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:03
6:03
6:03
6:05
6:05
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:44
8:44
8:43
8:42
8:42
8:40
8:39
 mm
Temp °C
15
16
14
15
16
14
16
16
14
16
17
15
18
19
17
17
17
15
15
16
14
Feels °C
12
13
11
13
14
11
15
15
14
15
16
13
16
17
14
14
14
11
11
12
10
  • 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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