Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 589 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period with SW 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 24) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period. 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 1.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 1.8m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – this Cape Mendocino outlook is a tough one. We’re looking at a long, dry spell of cross-shore winds and small, messy energy that just isn’t going to deliver anything worth paddling out for. The water is sitting at about 55°F at the start, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year.
The first real sniff of anything *close* to surfable doesn't show up until Monday the 24th of August, and even then it's only marginal. We're talking 2ft of 18-second groundswell from the SW in the morning, but it's cross-shore and the energy is moderate. It's a tough call to even wet a suit for that. The whole first week is plagued by persistent cross-shore winds, mainly from the N and NNW, with speeds often around 12-16 mph. This keeps the ocean lumpy and chopped up. The swell heights rarely crack 3ft, and while the periods are long (16-19 seconds), suggesting better shape potential, the constant wind smear ruins any chance of a clean face.
We see a slight uptick in energy on the 4th and 5th of September, but it's paired with those same fresh cross-shore winds (19 mph). The waves are still only around 3ft to 4ft. It's a tease.
The one glimmer of something interesting, and the only true standout, hits on Sunday the 6th of September. The morning shows an 8ft swell from the NW, but with a short period of only 11 seconds. The wave energy is massive. Now, that size is pushing into expert-only territory. The crowd profile at Cape Mendocino is listed as "sometimes" busy, so on a rare day like this, you might find a few others with the same idea. The big caveat here is that 8ft is a heavy wave, and with a shorter period, it's going to be bowling and powerful. Not a day for the faint of heart. The wind is still cross-shore, so it won't be glassy, but it's the only day in the whole 16-day window that brings any real size and power.
Honestly, for most of the next two weeks, you're looking at poor conditions. Kite surfers might find some fun in the consistent cross-shore winds, but for a paddle surfer, the setup is a no-go. Don't hold your breath.
Stay patient. Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 17 | SSE 14 | S 13 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 99 | 111 | 94 | 231 | 164 | 199 | 311 | 204 | 232 | 326 | 214 | 206 | 203 | 201 | 183 | 210 | 322 | 225 | 271 | 243 | 315 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:48AM1.27m | 7:30PM1.67m | 10:27AM1.34m | 8:25PM1.72m | 10:58AM1.38m | 9:14PM1.77m | 11:24AM1.42m | 9:58PM1.81m | 11:48AM1.47m | 10:40PM1.82m | 12:11PM1.52m | 11:21PM1.80m | 12:34PM1.58m | 00:03AM1.74m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:14PM1.05m | 3:24AM0.11m | 3:09PM1.01m | 4:07AM0.05m | 3:54PM0.95m | 4:43AM0.01m | 4:33PM0.87m | 5:15AM-0.01m | 5:10PM0.79m | 5:45AM-0.01m | 5:45PM0.69m | 6:14AM0.03m | 6:22PM0.59m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | S 13 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 |
| kJ | 48 | 54 | 90 | 231 | 164 | 368 | 283 | 204 | 106 | 52 | 214 | 206 | 203 | 201 | 183 | 207 | 322 | 225 | 271 | 243 | 315 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | S 16 | S 16 | SW 18 | S 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | W 13 | WNW 8 | W 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
| kJ | 54 | 98 | 47 | 26 | 76 | 124 | 311 | 153 | 232 | 326 | 126 | 125 | 85 | 19 | 69 | 134 | 171 | 167 | 146 | 103 | 37 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | S 14 | SW 18 | S 14 | S 13 | W 15 | W 8 | S 12 | W 12 | WNW 7 | S 17 | W 12 | W 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 12 |
| kJ | 99 | 111 | 94 | 75 | 30 | 199 | 106 | 192 | 146 | 126 | 71 | 35 | 72 | 75 | 18 | 210 | 98 | 35 | 62 | 88 | 44 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | — | 64 | 114 | 175 | 312 | — | — | — | — | — | 39 | 29 | 13 | 19 | 9 | 14 | 34 | 115 | 229 | 282 | 230 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 59 | 436 | 54 | 244 | 54 | 21 | 211 | 86 | 21 | 86 | 134 | 51 | 151 | 151 | 40 | 211 | 436 | 40 | 151 | 211 | 51 |
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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