Cape Mendocino surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Thursday 14 May 2026 PDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Cape Mendocino surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
10.5° C
(Which is 1.5°C colder than average for this time of year)

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 (May 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 15s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 16) 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 3.5m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (May 20) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Tue 19th May)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Best Surf 8PM (Tue 19th May)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sat 16th May)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Mainly strong winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Mainly strong winds.

Thu
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WNW
10
1.5
WNW
9
0.8
SSW
15
1
WNW
15
1.3
WNW
14
1.5
WNW
13
3.5
NW
13
4
NW
9
3.5
NW
8
3
NW
8
1.3
WNW
11
0.4
NW
18
0.7
WNW
17
1.3
WNW
15
1.7
WNW
14
1.6
WNW
13
0.4
SW
16
1
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
12
1.2
WNW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
480
362
266
428
732
768
3506
2314
1524
1216
352
83
252
693
1159
875
96
278
527
500
311
Wind (km/h)
35
N
30
N
35
N
35
N
30
N
40
NNW
40
N
45
N
45
N
45
N
35
N
35
N
35
N
35
N
35
N
35
N
35
N
35
N
30
N
20
N
25
NNW
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
9:50PM1.86m
11:30AM1.34m
10:27PM1.96m
12:28PM1.37m
11:09PM2.01m
1:26PM1.39m
11:54PM2.02m
2:23PM1.39m
00:44AM1.98m
3:20PM1.39m
1:37AM1.89m
4:18PM1.41m
2:36AM1.75m
Low Tide
3:53PM0.50m
5:01AM-0.30m
4:38PM0.61m
5:46AM-0.47m
5:24PM0.71m
6:34AM-0.58m
6:12PM0.79m
7:23AM-0.61m
7:05PM0.85m
8:16AM-0.57m
8:05PM0.89m
9:11AM-0.47m
9:15PM0.90m
10:08AM-0.34m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:00
5:58
5:58
5:58
5:56
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:24
8:25
8:27
8:28
8:29
8:30
8:30
8:31
Temp °C
13
12
12
12
11
12
12
11
12
13
12
13
13
12
14
14
12
14
16
13
15
7
6
5
4
4
3
3
3
2
3
4
6
6
5
8
7
6
7
10
8
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WNW
10
1.5
WNW
9
0.8
SSW
15
1
WNW
15
1.3
WNW
14
1.5
WNW
13
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
S
14
0.4
SSW
14
1.3
WNW
11
0.4
SSW
13
0.7
WNW
17
1.4
WNW
10
1.7
WNW
14
1.6
WNW
13
0.4
SW
16
1
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
12
1.2
WNW
11
Energy kJ
480
362
266
428
732
768
169
165
107
66
352
58
252
409
1159
875
96
278
527
500
311
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.7
WNW
16
0.7
SSW
15
0.5
SSW
14
0.5
S
13
0.1
SW
19
0.1
S
20
0.1
SW
18
0.1
SW
18
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
NW
18
0.3
S
16
1.3
WNW
15
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.3
S
15
0.5
SW
21
0.4
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.6
SW
19
Energy kJ
298
291
232
231
108
92
15
7
13
12
60
83
46
693
69
96
38
224
89
112
303
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
12
0.4
NW
18
0.7
WNW
9
0.2
S
18
0.5
SSW
16
0.4
SW
15
0.1
S
20
0.1
S
20
0.1
S
18
0.1
SW
18
0.3
SW
18
0.3
SSW
13
0.4
SW
17
0.3
S
16
0.4
S
15
0.1
S
12
0.4
SW
16
0.4
S
14
0.4
S
14
0.4
SW
15
Energy kJ
11
81
86
25
146
56
7
7
6
13
49
34
75
42
69
3
65
60
58
79
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
N
5
0.9
N
6
2
NNW
7
2.1
NW
7
1.9
NW
7
2.3
NW
7
3.5
NW
13
4
NW
9
3.5
NW
8
3
NW
8
3
NNW
9
2.5
NNW
8
2.5
NNW
8
2.5
NNW
8
2.4
NNW
8
2.5
NNW
8
3.5
NNW
10
3
NNW
10
3
NNW
10
3.5
NNW
10
3
NNW
10
Energy kJ
66
57
342
404
305
529
3506
2314
1524
1216
1296
1043
956
1024
723
808
2408
1780
1863
2345
1623
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
3
4
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
Distance (km)
436
54
334
436
114
436
780
211
334
436
80
262
437
54
244
262
80
219
54
41
170
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
3
4
4
4
8
5
4
6
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
8
5
4
6
4
4
4
5
4
5
6
9
9
8
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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