Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get into the 16-day outlook for Cape Mendocino.

The first few days are a hard pass. Friday 10th July brings a little 3ft SSW groundswell with a 15-second period – lots of energy there (533 combined), but the wind is a stiff 16 mph cross-shore from the north, and the water is 51°, which is 5° colder than normal. That’s brutal. The surf is messy and not inviting. Saturday 11th is the same story, with a 3ft bump and the wind even picking up to 19 mph in the afternoon, leaving the surface lumpy.

From Sunday 12th right through to Thursday 16th July, it’s all poor. We get some size – a 6ft NW windswell on Sunday morning – but the wind stays cross-shore and moderate to fresh, and conditions are just ugly.

Friday 17th July morning is the only real flicker of hope. That’s 7ft of NW swell with a short 8-second period. Combined energy jumps to 1269 – that’s a solid strong swell. The wind is light cross-onshore out of the NW at 9 mph, so the surf might be rideable if you don’t mind a little texture. At 7ft it’s for experienced surfers only, but the swell direction is NW, not the preferred SW. Still, it’s the best we get. After that, it’s back to small, poor quality days.

The second week is a dirge. Mostly 2ft to 2ft groundswell with moderate to fresh cross winds, and nothing marked as good. There’s a 6ft NW windswell on Thursday 23rd July morning, but again, poor conditions noted.

The only real standout is Friday 17th July morning – and even that is a “maybe.” The rest of the 16 days is a stretch. Water is much colder than usual, the winds are mostly cross, and the swell quality isn’t there.

It’s a tough outlook. If you’re desperate, try that Friday morning, but don’t count on much. Things can change, but right now it’s a dry patch.

– Rusty

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