Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, S swell with 503 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 1.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) 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 1.8m 8s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, checking in from the remote Cape Mendocino zone.
Look, the next couple of weeks are a real mixed bag. We’ve got a handful of promising windows, but there’s a long stretch in the middle where the wind just won't play nice, and at the very end we might be swimming in way too much water. Let’s break it down.
We kick things off on Friday, August 21st, with some marginal, knee-high swell. It’s mostly a non-starter with the wind on it, but you can see the potential is there. The real glimmer in this first week shows up on Monday, August 24th. The afternoon session is the standout for this entire first half of the forecast. Cape Mendocino has a clean, glassy 5ft NNW swell rolling in. The combined wave energy is a solid 593 (moderate). That’s chest-high, clean, and absolutely worth a paddle. The morning is a close second with 5ft NW swell but a slight cross-onshore breeze.
Then, just when it gets good, it gets ugly. From Tuesday, August 25th, all the way through Monday, September 1st, we are looking at a massive dry spell. The swell drops, and we get hammered by moderate to fresh cross-shore winds – mostly from the north at 12 to 18 mph. The water temp is about average for the time of year. There are a few stray pulses of long-period swell in there, but the wind just ruins the surface. You’ll see a little bump on Sunday, August 30th, but honestly, the conditions are poor. It’s a long gap of nearly a week with no true green lights.
Now, for the second week, things get heavy but tricky. On Tuesday, September 1st, the afternoon shows a jump to 5ft NW swell with a period of 11 seconds. The energy ramps up to 853 (moderate to strong), but the cross-wind is back. Then we hit the big one.
Wednesday, September 2nd, and Thursday, September 3rd, Cape Mendocino is looking at a massive 10ft NW swell. The combined energy is over 2500, which is very, very strong. The file says the wind is favorable, but at 10ft with a 12-second period, this is for experts only. That’s well over the 8ft mark. It could be a phenomenal, powerful day for someone with a big-wave gun and nerves of steel, but it will wash over everyone else.
The final chance for a clean one comes on Friday, September 4th. The afternoon session offers a glassy 3ft SSW swell from a long 17-second period. The energy is 420 (moderate). It’s not big, but it will be smooth and lined up. This is your consolation prize if you missed the Monday of the first week.
Overall, the clear winner is Monday afternoon, August 24th, at Cape Mendocino. It’s the only day that combines a decent sized swell with glassy conditions. The big 10ft swell on the 2nd and 3rd of September is a big-wave-only spectacle, not a day for the average surfer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | WNW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
236 | 156 | 139 | 98 | 99 | 111 | 94 | 231 | 242 | 199 | 305 | 248 | 232 | 326 | 214 | 161 | 203 | 201 | 200 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | on | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:53AM1.20m | 6:30PM1.65m | 9:48AM1.27m | 7:30PM1.67m | 10:27AM1.34m | 8:25PM1.72m | 10:58AM1.38m | 9:14PM1.77m | 11:24AM1.42m | 9:58PM1.81m | 11:48AM1.47m | 10:40PM1.82m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:32AM0.24m | 1:04PM1.05m | 2:33AM0.18m | 2:14PM1.05m | 3:24AM0.11m | 3:09PM1.01m | 4:07AM0.05m | 3:54PM0.95m | 4:43AM0.01m | 4:33PM0.87m | 5:15AM-0.01m | 5:10PM0.79m | |||||||
— | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
8:07 | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 18 | NNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 17 |
164 | 128 | 76 | 74 | 50 | 72 | 89 | 231 | 210 | 297 | 305 | 248 | 143 | 103 | 214 | 161 | 203 | 201 | 200 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | WNW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | S 16 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | W 13 | W 13 | SW 15 |
61 | 42 | 83 | 78 | 54 | 98 | 47 | 75 | 81 | 124 | 255 | 192 | 232 | 326 | 126 | 125 | 123 | 78 | 143 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WNW 9 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | W 16 | W 14 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 12 |
236 | 156 | 139 | 98 | 99 | 111 | 94 | 26 | 29 | 199 | 106 | 153 | 146 | 126 | 77 | 103 | 29 | 19 | 71 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | 74 | 114 | 183 | 242 | — | — | — | — | — | 69 | 47 | 36 | 25 | 61 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 40 | 152 | 438 | 0 | 45 | 436 | 51 | 294 | 54 | 21 | 211 | 0 | 0 | 86 | 86 | 0 | 151 | 54 | 54 |
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.











