Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 07 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
13.1°C
1.5° 

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 8 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 540 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period with SSE 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period. 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 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 8s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Tue 8th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 8th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Most Powerful 8PM (Thu 10th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. This forecast for the Cape Mendocino area is a bit of a grind, to be honest. We’ve got a window that starts with a whole lot of "meh" and “marginal.” The pattern is dominated by a moderate cross-shore breeze that just won’t quit, and the swell energy is present but never really lines up right for clean, punchy surf. The combined energy figures are mostly in the moderate range (like 431 and 577), but a cross-shore wind is the enemy of a good face, and the wave comments are pretty grim. The water is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sitting around 56°.

We kick things off on Monday the 7th with a 3ft SSE swell at 13 seconds, but that north wind at 15 mph crosses it up badly. The wave comment is “poor surf conditions,” so that’s a no-go. Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th are a similar story – small swell, cross-shore winds, and the descriptions are “marginal” at best. The swell direction shifts to the SW, which is closer to the optimum, but the wind is still a problem.

The weekend of the 12th and 13th sees the swell size jump up to 5ft with a NW direction, but the period drops to a short, weak 7 to 10 seconds. That’s a lot of bumpy, wind-affected chop, and the combined energy still reads as moderate. The wave comments are still “poor.” This is the kind of messy, short-period, cross-shore stuff that’s more interesting for kite surfing than a paddle session. The size is getting into the territory where it’s too big for beginners but not clean enough for a good time.

There’s a slight glimmer of hope later on. The best on offer, and I mean the only standout that’s worth a mention, is looking like the morning of Friday the 18th. We’ll have a 2ft SW swell with a long, beautiful 19-second period. The combined energy is a solid 657, and the wind is a light, cross-shore breeze from the NW. That’s clear skies and a light breeze. That’s the kind of window where the long-period groundswell will wrap in and hold up, making for some clean, lined-up waves at a spot like Cape Mendocino, which is exposed to the SW. It’s a more promising setup, but it’s a week and a half away, so treat it as a promising but not certain bet.

The following Saturday morning the 19th actually has a 3 mph onshore wind, which is almost glassy. That’s a major positive for a clean face, and the 2ft SW swell at 18 seconds is still quality. The crowd situation at Cape Mendocino is listed as “sometimes,” so you might actually have some company if it cleans up.

Short version: the next 10 days are a write-off. The best chance for a decent surf is the morning of the 18th, and maybe the 19th if the wind holds. It’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
2
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSE
13
0.9
SSE
13
0.9
SSE
13
0.9
S
12
0.8
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.7
SW
19
0.7
SW
18
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
1
SW
16
1
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
1.5
NW
10
1.4
NW
10
1.6
NW
7
1.5
NW
8
1.5
NW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
295
295
273
243
174
196
368
312
419
493
441
477
459
377
367
432
341
255
257
257
Wind (km/h)
25
N
15
N
15
NNW
15
N
10
NNE
10
N
20
N
20
N
25
NNW
30
N
25
N
25
NNW
25
N
20
NNE
20
N
25
NNW
20
N
20
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
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
12:45PM1.78m
1:04AM1.62m
1:14PM1.78m
1:56AM1.48m
Low Tide
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
6:36AM0.21m
7:07PM0.22m
7:11AM0.38m
7:51PM0.17m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
6:52
6:52
6:54
6:54
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:32
7:31
7:30
 mm
Temp °C
17
15
20
21
20
24
25
20
18
18
14
16
16
13
16
17
14
15
16
14
Feels °C
13
13
17
18
16
21
21
17
15
14
10
12
12
9
12
13
11
12
12
11
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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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