Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Issued: 10 am 06 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
10.7° C

2.5°C colder than average for this time of year

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 7 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SSW swell with 717 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 1.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 09) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 8th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 17s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Cape Mendocino.

Honestly, folks, if you’re itching to paddle out at Cape Mendocino in the next couple of weeks, you’re going to have to dig deep for patience. The immediate start is a write-off, and the pattern that follows is pretty grim for clean, ridable waves. We've got a long stretch of onshore and cross-shore winds battering the coast, making a mess of things.

The problems start immediately. Monday the 6th of July is a non-starter. There is some energy in the water, with a combined swell energy of 1121 (strong), but that’s coming from a short-period 6ft NW windswell under a cross-on NW breeze at 9 mph. It’s going to be choppy and poor. That afternoon we get a 3ft SSW groundswell with a lovely period of 16 seconds, but the wind is cross-shore at 12 mph. The water temperature is a very unusual 51°, which is 5° colder than normal for this time of year, so a thick wetsuit is mandatory.

From Tuesday the 7th through to Monday the 13th, it’s a brutal run of "poor surf conditions". Winds are relentless from the N or NNW, always cross or cross-on, 12 to 19 mph. It’s just lumpy, messy, and not worth the effort. A real shame, because that persistent southern hemisphere groundswell is sending in those lovely long-period sets from the SSW, but the wind is completely trashing it. That long-period, high-energy swell is being wasted.

There is a tiny flicker of possibility around Sunday the 12th of July morning. A 6ft NW swell shows up with a period of 10 seconds and combined energy of 813 (moderate). But the wind is still cross-shore from the north at 16 mph, and the forecast calls it poor. This pattern continues with smaller NW swells and the same miserable wind through the rest of that week.

Honestly, for a setup that is an exposed point-and-reef, the wind never lets up. With that much cross-shore and onshore wind, and consistent swell over 5ft, this is looking more interesting for kite surfing than a clean paddle session.

As we head into the second week, around Monday the 20th of July, we finally get a lighter wind forecast. A light SSW breeze at 6 mph, cross-on. But the swell drops to a tiny 2ft from the SW with a period of 17 seconds. It’s still marginal and the energy is low (396). Not exactly a standout.

The only real standout moment in this whole 16-day window is the afternoon of Sunday the 19th of July. A clean 3ft SW groundswell with a very long 17-second period and a gentle NNW breeze. The combined energy is 522 (moderate). If you have a log and paddle out at a sheltered spot that can handle that long period, there could be a few clean, groomed lines to be had. It’s the only time the stars nearly align.

Overall, this is a long, frustrating dry spell for Cape Mendocino. If you’re a local, you know it’s a waiting game. Keep an eye on the charts because a forecast this persistently poor has to break at some point. The good news is breaks like this don't stay flat forever.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
0
1
2
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
NW
8
0.8
SSW
16
1.7
NW
11
0.8
SSW
20
0.9
SSW
19
1
SSW
18
1
SSW
18
1.1
SSW
17
1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
2.1
NW
8
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
15
1.6
NW
10
1.7
NW
10
1.4
NW
10
0.8
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
381
330
663
485
643
651
596
717
539
643
441
557
372
367
339
268
272
432
569
380
229
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
20
NNW
20
N
20
NNW
25
NNW
25
N
25
NNW
30
N
25
NNW
30
NNW
30
N
30
N
30
N
25
N
20
NNE
25
N
30
N
25
NNE
25
N
30
N
20
NNE
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
4:54PM1.62m
4:47AM1.15m
5:32PM1.70m
6:21AM1.05m
6:14PM1.80m
8:06AM1.05m
7:02PM1.89m
9:33AM1.14m
7:54PM1.98m
10:39AM1.25m
8:48PM2.06m
11:31AM1.36m
9:44PM2.12m
Low Tide
10:14AM0.21m
11:35PM0.58m
10:58AM0.39m
00:42AM0.38m
11:48AM0.58m
1:46AM0.16m
12:47PM0.74m
2:45AM-0.05m
1:51PM0.86m
3:40AM-0.25m
2:56PM0.92m
4:33AM-0.40m
3:57PM0.93m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:52
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:56
5:56
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:50
8:50
8:50
8:49
8:49
8:47
8:47
 mm
Temp °C
14
14
13
13
14
13
14
15
13
14
14
12
15
15
14
14
16
13
14
15
13
Feels °C
12
11
9
10
10
9
10
10
9
8
8
7
10
11
10
10
12
9
9
10
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
12
0.8
WNW
12
0.7
SSW
20
0.9
WNW
11
0.9
SSW
19
1.1
NW
10
1
SSW
18
1.1
SSW
17
1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
NW
9
0.9
NW
9
0.8
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
1.4
NW
10
1.1
NW
9
Energy kJ
222
171
336
200
643
225
596
717
539
643
441
372
372
367
339
123
125
249
168
380
220
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SSW
20
0.4
SSW
14
1
SSW
18
0.6
SW
15
0.3
S
20
0.4
S
19
0.5
S
18
0.9
WNW
8
0.7
WNW
10
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
15
0.2
S
19
0.3
S
17
0.7
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
Energy kJ
258
330
261
485
70
651
171
68
117
160
120
81
268
272
29
51
173
229
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SSW
21
0.5
SSW
21
0.3
SSW
12
0.7
SW
16
0.2
S
8
0.7
SW
15
0.2
S
11
0.4
NW
8
0.1
S
20
0.1
W
19
0.1
W
16
0.2
W
18
0.3
S
18
0.3
WNW
16
Energy kJ
260
260
28
258
5
220
9
23
8
7
5
25
55
53
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
NW
8
1.6
NW
8
1.7
NW
11
1.4
NW
7
1.6
NW
7
0.7
N
6
1.5
NW
10
1.7
NW
7
2
NNW
8
2.2
NNW
7
2.2
NW
8
2.1
NW
8
2.2
NW
8
1.7
NW
7
1
NNW
6
1.2
NNW
6
1.2
NNW
6
1.6
NW
10
1.7
NW
10
0.8
N
4
0.9
NNW
5
Energy kJ
381
329
663
189
215
37
415
248
464
518
516
557
544
293
62
87
87
432
569
24
46
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
2
4
3
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
3
Distance (km)
780
437
45
151
437
45
151
436
45
334
437
40
294
437
51
151
54
59
151
436
51
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
4
2
2
2
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
4
2
2
4
3
2
4
3
2
4
4
2
4
3
2
3
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
5
9
8
9
7
7
6
6
6
5
5
4
5
5
4
9
7
5
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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