Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, let’s talk about the Cape. The next couple of weeks look pretty average, to be honest. There’s a little bit on offer early, but we’ve got wind and lumpy conditions to sift through before we find anything truly clean. The standout window is a morning on the 12th, so keep that in mind.

We kick things off Tuesday afternoon, the 8th. There’s some swell in the water, around 3ft from the south with a 12-second period. The energy is weak, and the north wind is cross-shore at 19 mph, making it a bit of a mess. That carries on into Wednesday morning, the 9th, with a similar south swell but lighter winds. Still, there are ripples on the surface. Wednesday afternoon sees the swell drop to around 2.3ft, but the wind picks up, so the chop is back. Thursday the 10th brings a touch more size, up to 3ft, but the wind stays on it, and by the afternoon it’s a lumpy 30 km/h. Friday is more of the same – poor conditions with fresh cross-shore winds and lumpy surf around 3.3ft.

Now, Saturday the 12th is where things finally line up. The morning is the clear winner here. The wind drops right off, leaving the 3.3ft southwest swell glassy and clean. The swell period is 14 seconds, so it’ll have some push and shape to it. The energy is moderate. This is your window, folks. It won’t be huge, but it’ll be the cleanest surf you’ll see for a while. The afternoon is not as good, with the north wind building back and putting some cross-chop on the face.

Sunday the 13th sees the swell pick up to 5ft, but it’s coming from the northwest with a shorter 9-second period and a strong north wind. It’s going to be lumpy and hard to ride, especially if you’re not comfortable in bigger, messier surf. That trend of poor conditions continues through the next week. We’ve got a stretch from Monday the 14th through to the following Wednesday that’s mostly poor with cross-shore winds and small, weak swells. The energy drops right off, and it’s just not worth paddling out for.

We do get another shot on Thursday morning, the 17th. The wind goes calm again, leaving the 4ft northwest swell glassy. The period is short at 8 seconds, but for a beach break like this, that can actually be okay. It’s a worthwhile look, but the afternoon falls apart with a cross-onshore wind coming up. After that, we’re back into small, marginal surf right through to the 23rd. Nothing to get the heart racing.

So, your best bet is definitely the early glass on Saturday the 12th. That’s the one to chase. The Thursday morning on the 17th is a secondary, less promising option. It’s mostly a waiting game otherwise.

Remember, the water’s running a bit colder than usual for this time of year at 55°F, so you’ll want a hood or a thicker suit.

Stay stoked.

Read more