Cape Mendocino surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Friday 08 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
12.0° C
(Which is normal 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 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 15s. 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 1.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 13) 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 1.9m 7s period and expected on Saturday (May 16) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 12th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s
Best Surf11PM (Tue 12th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s
Most Powerful11AM (Wed 13th May)5ft (1.5m) 12s

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 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Fri
15
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
3
1
1
3
0
2
3
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)
0.7
WNW
15
0.8
WNW
14
1
WNW
13
1.4
W
11
1.3
W
12
1.2
W
11
1.4
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
11
1.2
WNW
11
1.5
W
12
1.5
W
12
1.3
W
11
1.1
W
10
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
188
229
367
510
456
351
463
503
494
503
373
303
370
683
639
403
250
376
366
326
314
Wind (km/h)
20
NNE
25
NNW
25
N
25
N
25
N
30
N
25
N
25
NNW
25
N
15
N
15
NW
15
NNW
0
S
25
S
20
SSW
10
S
15
S
10
WSW
10
N
25
NNW
30
N
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
on
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
4:27AM1.33m
7:11PM1.31m
5:40AM1.26m
7:43PM1.40m
6:57AM1.23m
8:14PM1.51m
8:13AM1.23m
8:44PM1.62m
9:24AM1.25m
9:16PM1.75m
10:29AM1.30m
9:50PM1.86m
11:30AM1.34m
Low Tide
11:51PM0.98m
11:58AM0.06m
1:02AM0.86m
12:50PM0.12m
1:59AM0.67m
1:39PM0.19m
2:48AM0.45m
2:25PM0.28m
3:33AM0.19m
3:09PM0.39m
4:17AM-0.06m
3:53PM0.50m
5:01AM-0.30m
4:38PM0.61m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:05
6:05
6:03
6:03
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:19
8:20
8:21
8:22
8:22
8:23
8:24
8:25
Temp °C
11
13
14
12
13
14
12
14
15
13
15
15
13
14
15
13
13
14
13
13
13
6
9
10
8
8
9
7
10
10
9
13
13
12
10
11
11
10
12
12
9
7
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
WNW
15
1
W
10
1
WNW
13
1.4
W
11
1.3
W
12
1.2
W
11
1.4
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
11
1.3
WNW
11
1.1
WNW
11
1.2
WNW
11
1.5
W
12
1.5
W
12
1.3
W
11
1.1
W
10
1
W
10
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
Energy kJ
188
216
367
510
456
351
463
503
494
503
373
303
370
683
639
403
250
204
366
326
314
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
WNW
9
0.8
WNW
14
0.9
W
10
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
18
0.4
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
18
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
WNW
9
0.7
WNW
9
0.7
WNW
15
Energy kJ
55
229
154
261
364
123
243
255
291
322
191
242
242
136
163
158
102
376
144
86
209
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
18
0.4
SSW
18
0.4
SSW
20
0.4
SSW
20
0.2
SSW
12
0.4
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
15
0.3
S
18
0.2
S
16
0.1
S
12
0.2
S
18
0.2
S
14
0.7
NNW
6
0.4
NNW
6
0.4
NNW
6
0.4
SSW
18
0.4
SSW
17
0.2
S
12
0.2
WNW
18
0.4
WNW
16
0.7
WNW
9
Energy kJ
152
127
151
140
14
86
142
57
19
3
25
16
28
13
13
106
96
11
31
103
88
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
NNW
7
1
NNW
5
1
NNW
5
0.9
NNW
5
1.3
NNW
6
1.3
NNW
6
1.6
NNW
7
1.4
NNW
7
1.3
NNW
6
1.2
NNW
7
1
NNW
6
0.9
NNW
6
0.6
NW
6
0.8
NNW
7
0.9
NNW
4
1.2
NNW
5
Energy kJ
69
53
49
46
98
95
214
186
140
129
82
63
32
57
29
63
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
3
2
2
4
2
3
3
2
2
3
3
3
3
1
3
3
3
2
Distance (km)
40
151
436
51
151
437
40
151
54
40
152
152
0
219
51
0
152
51
0
262
436
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
4
4
2
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
4
4
5
6
5
4
9
9
9
9
9
8
9
5
6
6
5
5
6
  • 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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