Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 05 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
12.9°C
1.7° 

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 6 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with 653 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 1.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sat 5th Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 15s
Best Surf 2AM (Sun 6th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 15s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 6th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Cape Mendocino over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you – this is a long, flat run with a lot of noise and not much to get excited about. The first real surf worth mentioning doesn't even show up until the very end of the forecast.

Saturday the 5th kicks off with a bit of a tease. We’ve got a 4ft SSW groundswell rolling in with a very long 16-second period, and the combined wave energy is a solid 1056. That’s a lot of energy in the water, but the wind is a cross-shore from the NNW at 9 mph, putting a slight chop on it. The water is sitting at 55°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. The trouble is, the forecast says it’s “marginal” with questionable tide conditions, and the score is low. It’s not clean enough to call it a standout. By the afternoon, the wind picks up to 12 mph and the quality drops further.

Sunday the 6th sees the swell drop to 3ft, still with a decent 15-second period, but the wind stays cross and bumpy. The energy drops to 615. Not great. Monday through to the middle of the second week is pretty much a write-off. We’re looking at small, weak swell – mostly under 3ft – with short periods and constant cross-shore winds. The combined energy stays in the 300-700 range, and the wave comments are all “poor” or “marginal.” There’s a stretch from the 7th right through to the 19th of September where there’s really nothing to recommend. A long, flat gap.

Now, if you’re patient, there’s a glimmer on the horizon. On Sunday the 20th of September, we see a change. The morning brings a 5ft WNW swell with a 10-second period and the energy is a strong 910. The wind is light, from the SSW at just 3 mph, making it a light cross-onshore. It’s still “marginal,” but the conditions are the best we’ve seen in weeks. The afternoon session on the 20th looks even better: the swell holds at 5ft, the period is 10 seconds, and the cross-shore wind from the south at 9 mph is manageable. The combined energy jumps to 1068. This is the one to keep an eye on – the only real window of opportunity in the whole 16-day forecast. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best on offer.

Given the lack of consistency and the long run of poor conditions, this feels like a typical quiet spell for the area. Forecasts can change, but for now, mark your calendar for the 20th if you’re keen.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
4
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
3
1
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
15
1
SSW
15
1
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSE
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSE
13
0.8
S
13
0.9
S
13
1.1
S
12
1.1
S
12
0.7
SW
19
0.9
S
11
0.9
SSW
17
1
SW
17
1
SW
16
1
SW
16
1
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
620
589
653
405
400
236
243
301
229
222
272
371
342
368
199
498
540
496
477
465
377
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
20
N
15
NNE
15
NNW
25
N
15
N
20
N
25
N
20
N
15
NNW
20
N
10
NNE
10
NNW
15
N
15
NNE
15
NNW
25
N
20
N
30
N
30
N
30
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
8:17AM1.27m
6:17PM1.84m
9:14AM1.37m
7:30PM1.87m
9:58AM1.47m
8:37PM1.91m
10:36AM1.56m
9:37PM1.94m
11:11AM1.64m
10:32PM1.91m
11:44AM1.71m
11:23PM1.85m
12:15PM1.76m
00:14AM1.74m
Low Tide
12:35PM1.04m
2:10AM-0.05m
1:56PM0.98m
3:10AM-0.12m
3:02PM0.86m
4:00AM-0.14m
3:59PM0.71m
4:44AM-0.12m
4:49PM0.56m
5:23AM-0.05m
5:37PM0.42m
6:00AM0.06m
6:22PM0.30m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:48
6:50
6:50
6:52
6:52
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:43
7:40
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:32
 mm
Temp °C
16
16
14
15
16
14
16
17
14
18
18
18
24
24
22
23
23
17
18
17
13
Feels °C
14
13
11
12
12
11
12
13
11
15
15
16
21
21
18
20
20
13
14
12
8
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  • 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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