Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, NW swell with 1,130 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period with SSW 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 2.1m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the Cape Mendocino stretch.
Right off the bat, I’ll be straight with you – the next few days are a bit of a write-off for a proper paddle. We’ve got some cross-shore breezes kicking up a chop and the surf quality is just poor. You’ll see some small swell around, but it’s not doing us any favours with the wind. It’s not until Monday the 31st of August that things start to look a little more interesting, with a light breeze and a bit of energy in the water, but it’s still marginal.
The real standout in this whole 16-day window is shaping up for Thursday the 3rd of September. The swell is coming in from the NW at a solid 6ft to 7ft, with a period of 11 to 12 seconds. That’s got some proper grunt behind it, with combined wave energy readings of 1333 and 1725 (moderate to strong). The wind is forecast to be light and variable, even turning onshore at times, but the light breeze on Thursday afternoon means it could be clean enough for a serious session. This is for the advanced crew – that size is going to be a handful for the beginners. The offshore wind direction is E, so that’s a promising sign for a clean face.
The water temperature is sitting around average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
Keep an eye on Friday the 4th of September too. The swell drops back to 3ft from the SSW, but with a very long period of 17 to 18 seconds. That’s groundswell, so it’ll have plenty of push and long waits between sets. Early morning on Friday looks clean with a light cross-shore breeze, making it a good option for a more relaxed session.
After that, the forecast gets a bit messy again. The following week, from around the 7th of September onwards, we’re looking at smaller, cleaner swells, but the energy is inconsistent. It’s mostly in the 2ft to 3ft range, with periods that are still long, but the wind is often a little cross-on or light. It’s not terrible, but it’s not a standout either. You’ll be scratching for a wave.
Overall, the best bet is to hold out for that Thursday the 3rd of September if you’re after some power. The following Friday morning is a solid backup for a cleaner, less intense session. The rest of the window is a bit of a mixed bag, so keep your expectations in check.
Stay stoked, and I’ll see you out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SW 18 | NW 9 | NW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 164 | 339 | 281 | 315 | 759 | 751 | 627 | 733 | 546 | 405 | 400 | 326 | 261 | 154 | 281 | 183 | 246 | 130 | 729 |
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 | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:21PM1.80m | 12:34PM1.58m | 00:03AM1.74m | 12:58PM1.65m | 00:47AM1.65m | 1:25PM1.71m | 1:37AM1.53m | 1:55PM1.76m | 2:34AM1.40m | 2:29PM1.80m | 3:43AM1.27m | 3:11PM1.82m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:14AM0.03m | 6:22PM0.59m | 6:43AM0.11m | 7:01PM0.47m | 7:13AM0.23m | 7:44PM0.37m | 7:46AM0.37m | 8:32PM0.27m | 8:22AM0.55m | 9:27PM0.20m | 9:03AM0.72m | 10:30PM0.14m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |
 | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:47 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | SSW 14 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 11 |
| kJ | 143 | 339 | 281 | 315 | 759 | 751 | 627 | 733 | 546 | 558 | 369 | 325 | 261 | 127 | 281 | 183 | 152 | 107 | 729 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 13 | SSE 10 | W 10 | S 10 | W 11 | W 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSE 17 | SSW 14 | NW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 164 | 99 | 62 | 88 | 32 | 18 | 7 | 21 | 10 | 405 | 400 | 29 | 163 | 120 | 154 | 116 | 246 | 108 | 146 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 10 | W 11 | S 9 | W 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 16 | SW 19 | SSE 15 | SSW 13 | SSE 12 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 89 | 62 | 87 | 54 | 21 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 75 | 154 | 50 | 111 | 90 | 130 | 177 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 191 | 208 | 151 | 152 | 176 | 462 | 452 | 530 | — | — | 326 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 51 | 151 | 334 | 51 | 151 | 438 | 40 | 294 | 316 | 21 | 170 | 51 | 40 | 152 | 45 | 0 | 41 | 93 | 21 |
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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