Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 629 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cape Mendocino this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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 2.2m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, it’s Rusty again. Let me run that down for you in feet and miles per hour.
So, Cape Mendocino is looking pretty bleak over these next couple of weeks. Nothing brewing that’s worth getting too worked up about.
The water is cold right now – 54°F, which is a solid 4°F colder than it should be for mid-August. You’ll want the full rubber, no question.
The only bit of action is on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th. We get a long-period groundswell out of the SSW running about 3-4 ft, with a period of 16-17 seconds. That’s a nice pulse, but the wind is blowing cross-shore from the NNW at 9-16 mph, putting a nasty cross-chop all over it. The energy is moderate, so there’s something there, but it’s a mess. It’s a frustrating day, to be honest.
After that, it’s all downhill from Monday the 17th. The swell drops to under 3 ft and the wind just doesn’t let up. It stays cross-shore or cross-onshore, and the wave energy is in the poor-to-weak range for nearly two weeks straight. Every session is rated as poor.
There’s a glimmer on Thursday the 28th with a 4 ft swell from the S and the energy climbing, but the wind is howling at 22 mph from the north, cross-shore. That’s just blown-out junk. The same story plays out through the end of the month.
So, take it from me, there’s not a single good call in this whole run. The wind is relentless and the swell is inconsistent and weak. It’s a total flat spell. This stretch of coast will probably look better for the kite crew than the surf crew.
Hang loose and wait for the next one.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | WNW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 629 | 505 | 407 | 519 | 512 | 334 | 330 | 334 | 334 | 178 | 249 | 291 | 169 | 309 | 314 | 233 | 226 | 236 | 156 | 101 | 77 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:09PM1.74m | 2:00AM1.60m | 2:43PM1.75m | 2:58AM1.41m | 3:18PM1.74m | 4:06AM1.25m | 3:55PM1.71m | 5:35AM1.14m | 4:39PM1.68m | 7:24AM1.13m | 5:31PM1.65m | 8:53AM1.20m | 6:30PM1.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:19PM0.43m | 8:26AM0.26m | 9:14PM0.38m | 9:04AM0.47m | 10:12PM0.35m | 9:47AM0.67m | 11:15PM0.32m | 10:37AM0.85m | 00:23AM0.29m | 11:45AM0.99m | 1:32AM0.24m | 1:04PM1.05m | 2:33AM0.18m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 629 | 505 | 407 | 519 | 512 | 334 | 330 | 334 | 334 | 178 | 249 | 291 | 169 | 186 | 246 | 233 | 170 | 167 | 117 | 80 | 77 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | W 10 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 17 | WNW 15 | WNW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 37 | 54 | 116 | 31 | 44 | 26 | 39 | 39 | 33 | 100 | 84 | 137 | 142 | 309 | 314 | 233 | 226 | 236 | 156 | 101 | 68 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | SSE 13 | W 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | S 9 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 4 | 31 | 51 | 27 | 27 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 19 | 19 | 98 | 99 | 18 | 2 | 54 | 58 | 15 | 55 | 80 | 48 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 |
| kJ | 79 | 79 | 59 | 51 | 90 | 158 | 175 | 154 | 145 | 128 | 107 | 271 | 397 | 229 | 149 | 136 | 107 | 104 | 243 | 352 | 362 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 211 | 51 | 51 | 151 | 51 | 40 | 152 | 151 | 40 | 151 | 54 | 40 | 59 | 436 | 40 | 151 | 54 | 51 | 151 | 54 | 40 |
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.
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