
Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, NW swell with 1,242 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 2.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 2PM.
| 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) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what's coming up for Cape Mendocino. We've got a bit of a slow start before things potentially kick off, but there's a window in there that could be worth the wait.
Right off the bat, Wednesday and Thursday are a write-off. The water's sitting at a chilly 53°, a full 5° colder than average for this time of year. That's a serious drop, so you'll be wanting a thick suit and booties if you're even thinking about it.
We kick off the surf period on Thursday the 3rd. The swell is from the WNW at 6 ft but it's not the best quality. It's a bit jumbled with a period of 10 seconds, and the wind is blowing straight onshore at 6 mph. The wave energy is moderate (1151), but it's messy. Thursday afternoon cleans up a little, same wind but the swell bumps to 7 ft. Honestly, it's all marginal.
Friday the 4th is where we see some potential. Morning has a solid 7 ft NW swell with a 10-second period, and the wind is a gentle cross-shore from the SSW at 9 mph. The energy is ramping up (1601). It's still a bit of a mixed bag, but there will be some fun, punchy waves out there. The afternoon drops off in size quickly though.
The standout here is Saturday the 5th. Yeah, it's smaller at 3 ft, but that SSW swell is packing some serious 16-second period groundswell. This is that long-period energy that really wraps in and offers clean, lined-up walls. The energy is still moderate to strong (1206). With a light NNW cross-shore at 9-12 mph, it'll be clean with only a slight chop. This is a proper point-break day. That long-period swell will be a bit straight at the beach breaks, but at Cape Mendocino itself, which is exposed to the SW, it should be dialed in. Crowds are possible here, so get out early.
Sunday the 6th through to Wednesday the 10th is a real struggle. We're looking at days of poor conditions, with scores dropping off a cliff. The wind picks up, the swell mixes up from the SSE and S, and the energy drops. Not worth paddling out.
Then, around Thursday the 10th afternoon, we see a spike of 8 ft from the S, but it's a short-period 7-second windswell with a 15 mph cross-shore. The energy is strong (1092), but that's a lot of bump and chop for not much reward. This one's for the kite-surfers, not the paddle crew.
The second week gets a bit more promising but less certain. Around Monday the 14th, we see a NW swell build back in. The morning has 5 ft at 13 seconds with a moderate cross-shore from the N. The energy is strong (1035). Tuesday the 15th holds similar but a bit smaller. The wind stays a problem though, consistently from the N at 12-15 mph, keeping it lumpy.
After that, from Wednesday the 16th onward, the wind really cranks up from the N at 18-22 mph, with the swell building to over 7 ft. That's expert territory with the size, but the wind will make it a messy, choppy beast. Not a good look for a clean wave.
So, for the best bet, get on it Friday the 4th for size, or Saturday the 5th for that sweet, long-period groundswell and clean conditions. That's your window.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 18 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
249 | 157 | 322 | 622 | 1008 | 1219 | 820 | 742 | 512 | 487 | 463 | 519 | 411 | 305 | 280 | 437 | 521 | 521 | 361 | 350 | 329 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 10:36AM1.56m | 9:37PM1.94m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:59PM0.71m | 4:44AM-0.12m | |||||||
6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | |
mm | — | 6 | 13 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SSW 15 | NW 7 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
141 | 157 | 322 | 622 | 1008 | 1219 | 820 | 653 | 405 | 260 | 257 | 186 | 190 | 305 | 167 | 437 | 521 | 521 | 361 | 350 | 329 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 6 | SW 19 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NNW 6 |
249 | 130 | 72 | 513 | 186 | 553 | 651 | 742 | 512 | 487 | 463 | 519 | 411 | 234 | 280 | 233 | 223 | 156 | 118 | 120 | 67 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | S 6 | SSW 19 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSE 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | NW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SW 18 | SSW 13 |
90 | 58 | 214 | 16 | 248 | 132 | 130 | 80 | 176 | 147 | 102 | 35 | 203 | 37 | 264 | 38 | 56 | 48 | 47 | 111 | 68 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | S 5 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 9 | — | — | NW 8 | — | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | — |
10 | 97 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 384 | — | — | 205 | — | 143 | 142 | 106 | 113 | 137 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 170 | 80 | 21 | 21 | 80 | 0 | 21 | 59 | 0 | 151 | 151 | 0 | 211 | 151 | 41 | 151 | 51 | 40 | 51 | 294 | 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.










