
Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, NW swell with 766 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 14s. 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 2.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this 16-day window for Cape Mendocino is a frustrating one. For the first several days, we’re looking at a real dry spell. From Friday the 31st of July all the way through Tuesday the 4th of August, it’s a washout. The wind is a persistent cross-shore, mostly from the north, blowing at 15 to 25 mph, making a mess of things. The swell is tiny, around 2 ft to 3 ft, and the ocean is just lumpy and chopped. Don’t bother paddling out; you’ll be fighting the wind and the current for nothing.
We finally get a pulse of energy on the 5th of August. Wednesday morning brings a 7 ft swell from the NW with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (853). That’s a decent size, but the wind is a light cross-onshore from the SW at 6 mph, so it’s a bit bumpy. The afternoon is the real standout here. The wind goes glassy, and the swell is still there, dropping to 1 ft from the SW with a 14-second period. The energy is low (86), but it’s glassy. On a day like that, Cape Mendocino can be a quiet, clean little wave. It’s an advanced spot, so don’t expect a learner wave.
After that, from the 6th of August all the way through to the 15th of August, it’s back to the same old story. The wind is a strong cross-shore, the swell is tiny and weak, and the ocean is a mess. The only real blip is on the 14th of August when the swell gets to 4 ft and 5 ft from the NW, with strong energy (1057 and 988), but the wind is a fresh cross-shore. It’s too blown out for good surfing. The 15th of August has a 5 ft swell, but it’s a short period 7-second wind swell, right on the choppy side.
So, the only real, honest-to-goodness surfable moment is the Wednesday afternoon glass-off on the 5th of August. Get out there if you can. The rest of the window is a write-off. It’s a tough run for a spot that can be world-class, but that’s the coast for you. We’ll get another one soon.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu night, strong winds from the N by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Sun night, calm by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | NW 9 | SW 14 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
171 | 301 | 239 | 183 | 134 | 136 | 99 | 92 | 70 | 49 | 44 | 43 | 41 | 86 | 79 | 55 | 766 | 72 | 322 | |
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 | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross |
High Tide | 00:13AM1.79m | 1:56PM1.51m | 00:53AM1.70m | 2:22PM1.56m | 1:37AM1.58m | 2:50PM1.63m | 2:28AM1.44m | 3:22PM1.69m | 3:30AM1.28m | 3:58PM1.75m | 4:51AM1.14m | 4:41PM1.81m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:20AM-0.09m | 7:23PM0.78m | 7:50AM-0.01m | 8:07PM0.70m | 8:22AM0.12m | 8:57PM0.60m | 8:56AM0.27m | 9:54PM0.50m | 9:34AM0.46m | 10:58PM0.37m | 10:18AM0.65m | 00:08AM0.24m | |||||||
— | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
8:34 | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | SSW 14 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | NNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
95 | 301 | 138 | 116 | 108 | 136 | 99 | 92 | 70 | 44 | 44 | 43 | 41 | 86 | 79 | 904 | 766 | 534 | 322 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
159 | 112 | 239 | 183 | 134 | 55 | 75 | 46 | 45 | 49 | 44 | 41 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 55 | 73 | 72 | 69 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | S 8 | SSE 14 | S 13 | S 14 | SSE 11 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
171 | 1 | 152 | 125 | 91 | 25 | 15 | 13 | 49 | 29 | 12 | 12 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 37 | 14 | 14 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | NW 6 | NNW 5 | N 4 | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | — | — | — | — |
38 | 95 | 42 | 14 | 32 | 115 | 843 | 1060 | 1276 | 2504 | 1781 | 1908 | 2135 | 1126 | 926 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 40 | 211 | 437 | 40 | 262 | 436 | 80 | 262 | 437 | 54 | 289 | 54 | 54 | 80 | 51 | 21 | 152 | 0 | 40 |
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.











