Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Issued: 4 pm 02 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
9.9° C

3.4°C colder than average for this time of year

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 3 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period, NW swell with 771 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 2.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) 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 2.4m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 05) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful11AM (Mon 6th Jul)8ft (2.4m) 8s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright folks, it’s your man Rusty here, and we’re taking a hard look at what’s cookin’ for Cape Mendocino over the next couple of weeks. Gotta be straight with you—this ain't looking like a classic run of waves. The start of the period has some proper small stuff, and it takes a while before anything really gets going.

Right off the bat, for Thursday the 2nd and Friday the 3rd of July, we’re looking at tiny 2 ft SSW swell with a super long 14 to 15 second period, but the wind is cross and the waver energy is weak (around 250). This is pure frustration—nothing worth paddling out for. The water temperature is a seriously chilly 50°F, which is a massive 6°F colder than you'd expect for this time of year, so that’s a major heads-up if you’re heading in.

We then hit a few days with bigger swell but poor quality. Saturday the 4th sees a jump in size to 7 ft to 7 ft from the NW, but the period is short at 8 seconds and the energy is moderate to strong (676 to 843). The wind stays cross at 19 mph, and the conditions are lumpy. It’s a real mess.

Sunday the 5th drops right back down to tiny 2 ft to 3 ft SSW swells with a lovely 18-second period, which would be great if there was any power, but the energy is weak to moderate (393 to 566) and the cross wind ruins it.

Monday the 6th is the first time the forecast starts to give us a little hope. A NW swell builds to 8 ft in the morning and 7 ft in the afternoon, with strong energy (1388 and 1346). But the period is still short at 8 seconds and the wind is still cross. The surf is marginal. The size means it’s a bit much for beginners—over 8 ft is more for experts. It’s a lumpy cross-chop, and this set-up looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, if I’m honest.

Into Tuesday the 7th and Wednesday the 8th, we see a very long-period SSW groundswell creep in, with periods of 17 to 19 seconds and swell heights ranging from 3 ft to 5 ft. The energy is strong (over 800), but the wind remains cross. That long period means the sets will be clean and punchy at a point break or reef, but at a beach break it’ll break straight. Still, the marginal tag sticks until Thursday the 9th, when a 6 ft NW swell (9-second period) rolls in with strong energy (1220). It’s still cross-wind and lumpy though.

After that, it’s back to poor surf for ten days straight, from Friday the 10th all the way through to Friday the 17th of July. We’re talking tiny 2 ft to 5 ft swells from various directions, with mixed energy. Nothing really stands out.

The best of a bad lot? If you’re desperate, the Cape Mendocino break itself offers the only real window of slightly cleaner waves. On the morning of Monday the 6th of July, you’ve got a 8 ft NW swell with strong energy (1388). It’s a big swell, so it’s advanced-only, and the wind is cross, not offshore. But if you’re an experienced surfer who can handle lumpy, strong conditions, that’s your shot. That’s the only day where the size and energy really come together, even if it’s not glassy.

Take the later calls with a grain of salt, but for now, Cape Mendocino is mostly a quiet stretch. A blank run like this isn’t unusual for the area, so forecasts can change. Keep an eye on it.

Stay sharp.
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
2
Friday
3
Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
S
18
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
16
2
NW
8
2.1
NW
8
1.6
NW
8
0.5
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
18
2.4
NW
8
2.1
NW
8
1.6
NW
11
1.6
NW
11
0.9
SSW
19
1
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
1
SSW
17
1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
156
227
142
140
288
441
490
349
188
399
207
771
585
548
604
643
651
491
608
539
643
Wind (km/h)
25
N
25
N
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
30
NNW
30
N
25
NNW
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
20
NNW
25
NNW
20
N
25
N
25
N
20
NNE
20
N
25
N
25
N
30
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
2:48PM1.38m
1:05AM1.68m
3:18PM1.42m
1:47AM1.58m
3:49PM1.47m
2:35AM1.44m
4:21PM1.54m
3:33AM1.30m
4:54PM1.62m
4:47AM1.15m
5:32PM1.70m
6:21AM1.05m
6:14PM1.80m
8:06AM1.05m
Low Tide
7:45PM0.96m
8:24AM-0.15m
8:32PM0.92m
8:59AM-0.06m
9:27PM0.85m
9:35AM0.06m
10:28PM0.74m
10:14AM0.21m
11:35PM0.58m
10:58AM0.39m
00:42AM0.38m
11:48AM0.58m
1:46AM0.16m
12:47PM0.74m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:54
5:54
5:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:51
8:51
8:51
8:51
8:50
8:50
8:50
8:49
 mm
Temp °C
15
13
15
15
13
15
16
13
14
14
13
14
14
13
14
15
13
15
16
14
13
Feels °C
10
9
11
11
9
10
11
8
10
10
9
11
10
9
9
11
9
11
12
10
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
16
0.5
SW
13
0.6
SSW
14
1.6
NW
8
0.6
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
18
0.8
WNW
12
0.7
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
1.6
NW
11
0.8
SSW
20
0.9
SSW
19
1
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
1
SSW
17
1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
Energy kJ
156
176
142
140
288
88
138
349
136
399
184
258
330
548
485
643
651
491
608
539
643
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSW
19
0.6
S
18
0.4
SSW
17
0.3
S
16
0.4
WNW
14
0.4
WNW
13
0.4
WNW
13
0.7
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
18
0.5
WNW
13
0.6
SSW
18
0.6
WNW
12
0.8
WNW
12
0.7
SSW
20
0.7
SW
16
0.4
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
15
0.9
NW
10
1
NW
9
0.4
S
19
Energy kJ
69
227
100
46
73
69
66
186
188
99
207
99
171
336
258
69
191
137
159
118
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WNW
16
0.2
WNW
15
0.3
WNW
15
0.3
WNW
15
0.2
SSW
21
0.4
SSW
15
0.4
SSW
20
0.5
WNW
12
0.4
WNW
13
0.5
WNW
11
0.4
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
21
0.5
SSW
21
0.7
SW
16
0.2
S
12
0.1
S
8
0.2
S
21
0.6
SW
15
0.3
S
20
0.4
NW
11
Energy kJ
25
22
43
42
44
78
149
85
69
68
57
260
260
261
11
1
35
171
68
31
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
NNW
8
2
NNW
8
1.9
NNW
7
1.7
NNW
7
1.7
NNW
8
2
NW
8
2.1
NW
8
1.5
N
8
2.4
NNW
8
2.4
NNW
8
2.2
NNW
8
2.4
NW
8
2.1
NW
8
0.9
N
7
1.6
NW
11
1.4
NW
10
1.1
NW
10
0.6
N
3
0.5
NNW
4
1.7
NW
7
2.1
NW
8
Energy kJ
545
483
382
251
306
441
490
302
769
806
683
771
585
87
604
420
213
7
7
301
481
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
3
1
3
4
2
3
4
2
1
2
2
1
3
2
2
3
3
Distance (km)
54
40
188
294
40
149
51
40
151
54
40
149
437
45
151
437
40
151
436
54
334
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
4
3
4
2
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
3
2
3
4
3
3
4
2
2
4
2
2
4
3
2
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
5
9
5
6
8
5
9
7
5
9
9
8
6
5
9
9
9
5
5
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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