Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 12 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, NW swell with 638 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 1.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
Hey crew, Rusty back at it. For the Cape Mendocino stretch, the next 16 days are looking like a bit of a bust. We’ve got a long, wind-chopped run ahead with barely any real surf to get excited about.
The only half-decent window is on Friday, July 17th, in the morning. The wind swings offshore from the WNW at just 6 mph, which will clean things right up. Swell is small at 3 ft from the WNW, with a long 17-second period – that’s quality groundswell energy, but it might not wrap into the beach breaks perfectly. The combined energy is rated at 575 (moderate). It’s not perfect, but if you want the best wave of the period, that’s your shot.
From there, it’s a grind. Saturday the 18th through to the 26th of July is mostly cross-shore wind from the NNW or N, blowing 12 to 22 mph. Swell heights are mostly 1 ft to 3 ft, and it’s just messy. The combined wave energy drops off a cliff, often under 400, and the raw scores are terrible. There’s a slight tease on the morning of July 26th: a 2 ft swell from the SW with a super long 20-second period, and the wind finally drops to a light 3 mph cross-on breeze. The energy is 394 (still moderate), but it’s tiny and weak – a longboard day if you’re desperate.
Water temps are about average for the season around here. You might see a few other surfers at this spot because crowds are listed as "sometimes," but honestly, there won’t be much competition for these small, grovelly waves. This setup is more suited to a kite than a paddle for most of the forecast.
For the next two weeks, you’ve got one morning that might be worth pulling the wetsuit on for. Otherwise, it’s a classic summer lull.
Keep your chin up,
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Fri 17 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 7 | NW 9 | SSW 14 | NW 8 | SSW 13 | WNW 14 | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 20 | WNW 20 | WNW 19 | WNW 19 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | WNW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 334 | 330 | 334 | 597 | 625 | 323 | 449 | 127 | 326 | 139 | 69 | 104 | 194 | 194 | 160 | 218 | 286 | 280 | 348 | 344 | 394 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:39AM1.25m | 8:48PM2.06m | 11:31AM1.36m | 9:44PM2.12m | 12:18PM1.44m | 10:38PM2.15m | 1:01PM1.50m | 11:31PM2.12m | 1:42PM1.56m | 00:24AM2.04m | 2:22PM1.61m | 1:16AM1.89m | 3:01PM1.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:56AM-0.48m | 6:48PM0.78m | 7:41AM-0.39m | 7:46PM0.71m | 8:23AM-0.23m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — |
 | 8:49 | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:45 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 14 | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 13 | WNW 20 | WNW 19 | WNW 19 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | WNW 17 |
| kJ | 213 | 161 | 181 | 279 | 168 | 220 | 229 | 127 | 116 | 139 | 69 | 104 | 194 | 194 | 57 | 218 | 286 | 280 | 1109 | 1080 | 394 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 18 | WNW 17 | SSW 14 | WNW 15 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 13 | WNW 20 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 334 | 330 | 334 | 29 | 25 | 55 | 54 | 66 | 76 | 133 | 51 | 62 | 63 | 89 | 160 | 161 | 159 | 159 | 348 | 344 | 179 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | S 20 | W 19 | W 16 | W 18 | W 15 | S 18 | W 14 | S 16 | WNW 14 | SW 13 | SW 18 | WNW 13 | WNW 20 | SW 17 | WNW 13 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 18 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 25 | 18 | 24 | 33 | 45 | 70 | 44 | 49 | 59 | 80 | 102 | 53 | 70 | 42 | 145 | 231 | 74 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 7 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | — | — | NNW 9 |
| kJ | 45 | 16 | 48 | 597 | 625 | 323 | 449 | 378 | 326 | 230 | 266 | 278 | 344 | 455 | 491 | 909 | 1320 | 1350 | — | — | 845 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 40 | 262 | 54 | 80 | 294 | 262 | 40 | 151 | 54 | 40 | 151 | 52 | 40 | 262 | 437 | 54 | 316 | 437 | 45 | 211 | 151 |
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.
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