
Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 651 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 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
Right, folks. Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s lined up for Cape Mendocino. I’ll be straight with you – this forecast is a tough one. The water is sitting at a chilly 51°, which is a whopping 5° colder than normal for this time of year. That’s properly unusual, so you’ll want a thick hood and gloves.
The first few days are a write-off. Through Wednesday and Thursday, we’re looking at a cross-shore wind that’s just ruining things. The swell is there, but the quality is poor. Don’t bother paddling out on the 8th or 9th.
Friday the 10th through to Tuesday the 15th is a long gap of nothing. The wind stays onshore or cross-shore, and the wave comment is consistently “poor surf conditions.” It’s just not happening. The swell energy is weak, usually in the 300 to 500 range, and it’s a messy mix.
Things *might* get a little interesting around Wednesday the 16th, but even then, the wind is still a fresh cross-shore, and the wave comment is still poor. There’s a long-period groundswell from the WNW with a period of 20 seconds on the morning of the 16th, but that’s a very long period for a beach break like this, so it’ll likely be too straight and hard to handle. The combined energy hits 645, so there’s some power, but it’s not clean.
The only real glimmer in this entire 16-day window is Thursday the 23rd. The morning shows a solid 5 ft swell from the NW, with a moderate cross-shore, and the energy is well into the moderate range at 1021. The wave comment is still only “marginal,” but it’s the best we’ve got. The afternoon bumps up to 6 ft from the NW, but the period drops to 10 seconds, and it’s still a cross-shore mess. For a spot that’s fairly consistent, this is a disappointing run. It’s a blank spell that’s normal for this area when the wind gods aren’t playing ball.
Keep the board on the roof, but don’t hold your breath. The forecast can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SSW 14 | NW 9 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SSW 13 | WNW 14 | NNW 6 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
596 | 717 | 539 | 643 | 441 | 372 | 372 | 367 | 339 | 268 | 272 | 499 | 625 | 173 | 388 | 284 | 284 | 139 | 69 | 137 | 194 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:14PM1.80m | 8:06AM1.05m | 7:02PM1.89m | 9:33AM1.14m | 7:54PM1.98m | 10:39AM1.25m | 8:48PM2.06m | 11:31AM1.36m | 9:44PM2.12m | 12:18PM1.44m | 10:38PM2.15m | 1:01PM1.50m | 11:31PM2.12m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:48AM0.58m | 1:46AM0.16m | 12:47PM0.74m | 2:45AM-0.05m | 1:51PM0.86m | 3:40AM-0.25m | 2:56PM0.92m | 4:33AM-0.40m | 3:57PM0.93m | 5:23AM-0.49m | 4:56PM0.90m | 6:11AM-0.52m | 5:52PM0.84m | ||||||||
5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | 8:50 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | NW 9 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 |
596 | 717 | 539 | 643 | 441 | 372 | 372 | 367 | 339 | 134 | 177 | 249 | 168 | 170 | 178 | 93 | 101 | 139 | 69 | 33 | 58 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | S 20 | S 19 | — | S 18 | — | — | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | S 19 | S 17 | SSW 14 | WNW 16 | S 14 | WNW 15 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | W 14 | SW 18 |
171 | 68 | 188 | — | 160 | — | — | 58 | 85 | 268 | 272 | 29 | 51 | 173 | 53 | 63 | 76 | 133 | 51 | 103 | 194 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | NW 8 | S 20 | W 19 | W 16 | W 18 | S 18 | S 18 | W 14 | S 16 | WNW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 18 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 25 | 55 | 24 | 33 | 45 | 70 | 44 | 62 | 64 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | NW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NNW 6 | NW 9 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 |
373 | 230 | 502 | 572 | 587 | 617 | 312 | 183 | 72 | 49 | 85 | 499 | 625 | 150 | 388 | 284 | 284 | 170 | 187 | 137 | 92 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 151 | 437 | 45 | 262 | 437 | 54 | 151 | 436 | 52 | 316 | 436 | 80 | 262 | 437 | 54 | 151 | 780 | 45 | 151 | 436 | 40 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










