Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 05 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
10.1° C
4.0° 

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 5 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SW swell with 316 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with NW 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 0.7m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 5AM. 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 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Wed 5th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 8s
Best Surf 8PM (Wed 5th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 8s
Most Powerful 5AM (Wed 12th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Hey, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Cape Mendocino has in store for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be honest, it’s a slow start, and you’ll need to wait it out.

Right off the bat, Wednesday the 5th is a no-go. That 5ft northwest swell is all chopped up by a 20 km/h cross wind, and the water is a bone-chilling 50°, which is a massive 7° colder than normal – very unusual for this time of year. The combined energy is a moderate 459, but the quality is poor. From Thursday the 6th all the way through to the morning of Thursday the 13th, it’s a solid week-plus of poor surf. Swells are small, mostly under 2ft, with periods all over the place, and the wind is either cross or onshore, often strong up to 30 km/h. It’s a bleak run, but the spot is fairly consistent, so this kind of lull is normal.

Then, on Thursday the 13th afternoon, we finally get a small window. The wind goes glassy out of the southwest at just 5 km/h, and the swell is a small 2ft from the SSW with a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is 222. It’s not big, but that glassy surface makes it the cleanest wave of the whole forecast – a true standout for the smooth conditions. Friday the 14th afternoon is similar, with glassy wind again, a 2ft swell from the SSW at 19 seconds, and combined energy of 352. The break is exposed to the southwest, and the optimum direction is SW, so that SSW swell is in the right zone. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so expect company if it’s clean.

Looking further out, Saturday the 15th morning shows a 3ft swell from the SSW at 17 seconds, with combined energy jumping to 663, but it’s cross-onshore and the quality is marginal. From Sunday the 16th onward, it’s back to poor conditions with choppy cross-shore winds. For a spot that’s only fairly consistent, this is a tough stretch, but forecasts can always turn around.

Keep your eyes on that Thursday 13th and Friday 14th afternoon glass – that’s the best we’ve got.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
NW
8
1.5
NW
8
0.8
WNW
9
0.5
SW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
17
0.6
SSW
18
0.5
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.4
SW
20
0.4
SW
19
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SSW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
355
289
95
87
85
83
80
131
109
235
240
147
263
196
167
165
163
97
95
115
209
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
5
SSW
15
NNE
10
W
15
NNW
20
N
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
25
NNW
25
N
30
N
30
N
30
N
30
N
30
N
30
N
35
N
30
NNW
30
N
25
N
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
4:41PM1.81m
6:35AM1.09m
5:33PM1.86m
8:19AM1.14m
6:32PM1.91m
9:34AM1.24m
7:36PM1.98m
10:27AM1.35m
8:39PM2.04m
11:10AM1.45m
9:39PM2.09m
11:49AM1.53m
10:34PM2.09m
Low Tide
10:18AM0.65m
00:08AM0.24m
11:14AM0.82m
1:20AM0.09m
12:27PM0.95m
2:27AM-0.06m
1:45PM1.00m
3:27AM-0.20m
2:55PM0.97m
4:20AM-0.29m
3:57PM0.89m
5:08AM-0.34m
4:52PM0.79m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:18
6:20
6:20
6:22
6:22
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:28
8:25
8:24
8:23
8:22
8:22
8:20
 mm
Temp °C
16
17
14
16
16
13
16
18
14
17
18
15
16
17
14
16
18
14
15
16
14
Feels °C
13
16
14
15
15
10
12
14
10
13
13
11
11
12
9
10
13
10
10
10
10
  • Map Icons:
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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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