
Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 19s period, SSW swell with 1,216 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 1.3m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let's be straight with you – the outlook for the next couple weeks is a proper bummer. There's nothing stand-out to shout about, so keep your expectations low.
There's a little bump of energy on Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th with some 4ft to 5ft of SSW swell, running with a long period around 17-18 seconds, giving moderate wave energy. But the wind is a cross-shore from the NNW to N at 12 to 16 mph, churning up a cross-chop and making it messy. The water temp is about average for the time of year, but that doesn't help the quality. The only spot in the mix is Cape Mendocino, an advanced, fairly consistent break. But with these winds and the marginal conditions, it’s not a session to drive for. By Wednesday the 29th, the energy fades fast, with combined swell energy dropping from 1152 down to next to nothing. Winds stay fresh and cross-shore through Saturday the 1st of August, then on Sunday the 2nd, it goes to a strong breeze at 25 mph. That’s more kite-surfing weather than paddle-surfing weather.
After those first couple days, there's a real long dry spell for over a week with no good recommendations at all. There’s a tiny whisper around the 7th and 8th of August with some 2ft to 3ft of SSW groundswell, period hitting 21 seconds on the 7th morning, but the energy is still weak, and the wind stays cross-shore. That’s not going to be much fun. The swell direction also isn't playing ball with the optimum SW direction for Cape Mendocino.
So, what's the best in this poor lot? The pick is Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th. If you're desperate, dawn on Monday will have the most size with 4ft of SSW swell and the lightest wind. But clean it is not. It’s a tough stretch, but forecasts can always change. For now, it's looking like the ocean is taking a long break.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NW 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 14 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
719 | 845 | 1104 | 837 | 679 | 1081 | 911 | 635 | 539 | 436 | 377 | 306 | 159 | 214 | 239 | 243 | 208 | 302 | 212 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 9:34PM1.81m | 12:10PM1.37m | 10:16PM1.84m | 12:39PM1.39m | 10:55PM1.85m | 1:05PM1.42m | 11:34PM1.83m | 1:30PM1.46m | 00:13AM1.79m | 1:56PM1.51m | 00:53AM1.70m | 2:22PM1.56m | 1:37AM1.58m | ||||||
Low Tide | 5:16AM-0.10m | 4:52PM0.98m | 5:49AM-0.13m | 5:29PM0.95m | 6:20AM-0.14m | 6:06PM0.90m | 6:50AM-0.13m | 6:43PM0.85m | 7:20AM-0.09m | 7:23PM0.78m | 7:50AM-0.01m | 8:07PM0.70m | |||||||
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
8:37 | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 14 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 |
719 | 845 | 1104 | 837 | 679 | 1081 | 911 | 635 | 539 | 436 | 377 | 306 | 159 | 214 | 239 | 243 | 208 | 302 | 212 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SSW 12 | S 18 | WNW 9 | S 17 | S 16 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SW 14 |
163 | 98 | 122 | 117 | 97 | 76 | 53 | 98 | 135 | 287 | 183 | 45 | 142 | 184 | 215 | 138 | 81 | 136 | 99 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 21 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 21 | SSW 12 | S 20 | SW 11 | S 18 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | S 16 | SSE 17 | S 15 | — | S 13 | SSW 14 | SW 20 | SW 19 |
180 | 98 | 40 | 169 | 144 | 55 | 119 | 31 | 307 | 22 | 41 | 186 | 95 | 67 | — | 14 | 134 | 15 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 9 | NNW 4 | N 3 | N 3 | NNW 4 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 5 | NW 9 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 |
— | 166 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 168 | 388 | 95 | 363 | 176 | 144 | 145 | 244 | 209 | 189 | 286 | 261 | 644 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 40 | 151 | 151 | 51 | 334 | 436 | 59 | 151 | 437 | 54 | 151 | 436 | 42 | 151 | 780 | 40 | 262 | 437 | 80 |
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.










