
Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 21s period, SSW swell with 1,221 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period with NW 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 (Jul 20) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 16s. 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 1.2m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) 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 2.0m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cookin’ for the Cape Mendocino area over the next 16 days. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but we’ve got a couple of windows to get excited about.
Right off the bat, the water is a shocker. We’re talking a current temperature of just 51°F with a massive 6°F anomaly below normal, meaning it’s much colder than usual for this time of year. So, don’t forget the thickest wetsuit you’ve got.
The first real chance to paddle out comes Monday morning, July 20th. The conditions are looking glassy with a slight whisper of wind from the WNW at 9 mph. That’s a major positive. You’ll find a 6 ft swell coming from the NW with a short period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 792. It’s a fairly consistent spot, so it’s worth a look. The swell direction is SW optimum, and this NW is a bit off, but the glassy conditions will make it clean.
The afternoon of the 20th drops off to a 3 ft SW groundswell with a long 16-second period. The energy jumps up a bit (881), but it switches to a light cross-onshore. Still, a long-period SW groundswell is exactly what this exposed break wants to see.
After that, the week turns into a bit of a write-off. From Tuesday the 21st right through until the end of the month, we are looking at persistent cross-shore winds, mostly from the N and NNW at 12 to 19 mph, with choppy, lumpy conditions. The swell heights hover around 2 ft to 4 ft, and the energy is moderate to low. The guidance calls it poor surf, so you’re better off taking a walk or fixing a ding. There’s a solid 10-day gap here with no real recommendations.
Now, if you’re looking for a standout, keep your eye on Saturday, July 26th. The morning shows a 4 ft SSW swell with a very long 19-second period. The combined energy is strong at 1308. This is a proper groundswell. The wind is still cross from the N at 16 mph, which is a shame, but the long-period swell will have plenty of power. Since it’s a fairly consistent exposed break, the shape could be there despite the chop. This is a point where the long-period swell hitting a point or reef setup would be ideal, but at an exposed beach it might close out a bit. It’s the best on offer in the second week, but it’s a long-range call, so keep your fingers crossed for a wind shift.
The very end of the forecast on Friday, August 1st, and the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd, looks like another rough patch of strong winds and small, messy swell. Not much to get excited about there.
Overall, Monday the 20th is your best bet for clean conditions. Everything else is a gamble on the wind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 8 | SW 17 | SW 17 | NW 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SW 24 | SW 23 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
398 | 434 | 419 | 371 | 362 | 367 | 248 | 220 | 214 | 191 | 133 | 170 | 236 | 236 | 447 | 374 | 801 | 558 | 1221 | 898 | 872 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:20PM1.72m | 4:18AM1.27m | 5:00PM1.73m | 5:43AM1.12m | 5:42PM1.73m | 7:28AM1.07m | 6:27PM1.73m | 9:03AM1.12m | 7:14PM1.74m | 10:11AM1.21m | 8:03PM1.75m | 11:00AM1.28m | 8:50PM1.78m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:47AM0.18m | 10:56PM0.49m | 10:31AM0.41m | 00:05AM0.40m | 11:20AM0.62m | 1:13AM0.29m | 12:16PM0.80m | 2:16AM0.19m | 1:21PM0.93m | 3:10AM0.09m | 2:25PM1.00m | 3:58AM0.01m | 3:21PM1.02m | 4:39AM-0.05m | |||||||
6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 8:44 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | SW 17 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | S 11 | NW 8 | SSW 15 | S 10 | NNW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 24 | SW 23 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 |
398 | 434 | 469 | 371 | 346 | 232 | 178 | 205 | 136 | 191 | 100 | 117 | 236 | 236 | 173 | 158 | 801 | 558 | 1221 | 898 | 872 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 12 | SW 15 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SSW 13 | SSE 13 | SSW 13 | S 14 | S 13 |
259 | 239 | 419 | 261 | 362 | 367 | 177 | 220 | 187 | 114 | 133 | 170 | 64 | 64 | 447 | 374 | 156 | 129 | 96 | 179 | 166 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSE 12 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 16 | WNW 13 | SW 14 | WNW 11 | NW 11 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | NW 9 | S 13 | SSE 13 | SSW 13 | S 14 | SSW 12 | SW 12 |
245 | 27 | 163 | 160 | 173 | 272 | 248 | 64 | 214 | 51 | 63 | 61 | 35 | 21 | 21 | 92 | 141 | 137 | 103 | 58 | 37 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | — | NW 8 | NNW 8 | — | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 |
— | 497 | — | — | — | — | — | 178 | — | 140 | 179 | — | 147 | 179 | 184 | 212 | 338 | 300 | 302 | 300 | 214 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 294 | 151 | 45 | 0 | 51 | 40 | 151 | 211 | 51 | 54 | 51 | 51 | 151 | 51 | 51 | 151 | 51 | 51 | 151 | 54 | 51 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










