Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, NW swell with 1,599 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period with WNW 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. 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 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) 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 1.7m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down for the next couple of weeks.
First few days are a total washout – poor conditions, messy winds, don’t bother paddling out. We got a long stretch of so-so surf through the first week, with only a few moments that shine.
The big standout is Thursday September 10th afternoon at Cape Mendocino. We’re talking glassy conditions with a light offshore breeze from the WSW, and a clean 3ft SW swell with a 17-second period. That’s real groundswell, long lines, good shape. Water temp is a bone-chilling 52°F, a full 5.4° colder than normal, so bring the thick suit. The combined swell energy is moderate (671), but the cleanness makes it the best session of the whole 16 days. Crowds are only *sometimes* a problem, so you might find some space.
Earlier, Thursday September 3rd morning shows a stronger 6.6ft WNW swell with a 10-second period, light S wind, and clean but marginal conditions. Energy jumps to 1284 – solid moderate. That’s for the advanced crew; beginners should stay on the sand. The afternoon gets a 7.2ft NW swell with lighter offshore WSW wind and moderate energy (1637), but still not full quality. Friday the 4th morning keeps that NW swell at 6.9ft with glassy offshore wind – marginal again. Then it fades.
Second week turns mellow. By Monday the 14th, we’re on small waves and cross-shore winds, nothing to get excited about. From the 5th to the 9th, it’s weak SSW swells (around 3ft, 15-16 second periods) but always cross-shore wind, just barely rideable.
Bottom line: if you can be patient, Thursday the 10th afternoon is your golden window. The rest is either small, windy, or plain average.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 10 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 15 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 208 | 151 | 249 | 190 | 310 | 716 | 1235 | 1599 | 977 | 653 | 659 | 487 | 463 | 525 | 491 | 334 | 236 | 371 | 443 | 551 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:29PM1.80m | 3:43AM1.27m | 3:11PM1.82m | 5:11AM1.18m | 4:03PM1.83m | 6:53AM1.19m | 5:06PM1.83m | 8:17AM1.27m | 6:17PM1.84m | 9:14AM1.37m | 7:30PM1.87m | 9:58AM1.47m | 8:37PM1.91m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:27PM0.20m | 9:03AM0.72m | 10:30PM0.14m | 9:54AM0.88m | 11:43PM0.09m | 11:07AM1.00m | 1:00AM0.02m | 12:35PM1.04m | 2:10AM-0.05m | 1:56PM0.98m | 3:10AM-0.12m | 3:02PM0.86m | 4:00AM-0.14m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | 7:50 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 9 | 14 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SSW 16 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 15 |
| kJ | 208 | 141 | 141 | 190 | 310 | 716 | 1235 | 1599 | 977 | 653 | 367 | 260 | 463 | 235 | 190 | 120 | 112 | 371 | 443 | 551 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | S 6 | SW 19 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSE 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 154 | 151 | 249 | 130 | 40 | 513 | 186 | 553 | 651 | 576 | 659 | 487 | 102 | 525 | 491 | 334 | 231 | 233 | 217 | 201 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 6 | S 13 | SSW 20 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSE 15 | SSW 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 15 | SSW 14 | NW 12 | WNW 12 | NW 11 |
| kJ | 76 | 42 | 90 | 58 | 31 | 55 | 216 | 134 | 125 | 82 | 103 | 142 | 42 | 35 | 118 | 130 | 236 | 38 | 56 | 32 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | SSE 4 | S 4 | S 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 9 | — | — | NNW 4 | — | NW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 6 |
| kJ | 3 | 10 | 36 | 93 | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 304 | — | — | 7 | — | 122 | 107 | 65 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 45 | 21 | 188 | 100 | 21 | 21 | 80 | 0 | 152 | 151 | 0 | 114 | 151 | 0 | 83 | 151 | 0 | 41 | 211 | 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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