Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Cape Mendocino. It’s a familiar story for this exposed stretch of coast – the ocean’s got some energy, but the wind is the real boss around here, and it’s been a grumpy one.

Right now, we’re looking at a pretty tough run. The swell is hanging around a modest 3 ft from the SSW, with a nice long period between 14 and 17 seconds, which screams groundswell. But the problem is the wind. It’s hammering from the North and NNW at 9 to 15 mph, all cross-shore, and that’s putting a nasty chop on everything. The water temperature is sitting at 55°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget a good hood.

That sea breeze from the North keeps building through the afternoon, and the wave energy is moderate (615 to 726). It’s surfable for the advanced crew, but it’s scratchy and messy. This pattern locks in right through the first week. Monday and Tuesday (the 7th and 8th) are a bit smaller, dropping to 3 ft, still with that cross-shore wind. It’s the kind of stuff that will keep you frustrated.

The real opportunity doesn’t show up until Monday, the 21st of September. That’s the standout. Early morning, the wind drops out completely. We’re talking glassy conditions with a 3 ft SW groundswell rolling in with a 17-second period. The combined energy is moderate (546), and the water will be clean. It’s not a big day, but when you’ve got that long period swell and no wind, the lines will be clean. For a spot that is fairly consistent, this is a great window. A reef set-up like this loves that long period, long wait between sets, but the paddle out will be easier. Just be aware, the crowds can show up sometimes here, so get in early.

What about the week before? The 13th of September sees a spike in swell height to 6 ft, but it’s short period (8 seconds) and the wind is still a solid 15-18 mph cross-shore. That’s junk. It’s a write-off. The following days all have the same problem: wind. The swell sticks around, but the conditions are just poor.

So, to sum it up: the next two weeks are mostly a fight with the wind. The only true stand-out is the morning of Monday, September 21st. Glassy, clean, long period SW groundswell. That’s the one to pencil in. The rest? A lot of chop and frustration.

Rusty.

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