Cape Mendocino surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 pm Tuesday 16 Dec 2025 PST
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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 12 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Friday (Dec 19) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Wed 17th Dec)8ft (2.5m) 11s
Best Surf 1AM (Fri 19th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 7AM (Fri 19th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 60mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Wed afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the SSE by Thu night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
3
2
3
2
1
!
!
3
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
1
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.2
W
2.3
WSW
2.3
W
2.3
NW
2.1
W
1.7
W
1.9
WNW
3
W
3.5
W
2.2
W
2.1
NW
2.1
NW
1.8
NW
1.6
NW
1.4
NW
1.3
NW
1.4
NW
1.6
NW
1.6
NW
1.9
NW
2
NW
Period(s) (?)121212111111101111111212111110101010101212
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)134614131447132610496397691795255811281341114980758441632440047945010101074
Wind
(km/h)
25
SSE
25
SSW
20
NNE
20
N
15
S
25
SSE
30
SSE
35
SSE
20
SSW
20
N
15
NNE
5
ENE
5
S
10
SE
25
SSE
10
W
10
S
10
N
15
N
10
NNE
15
NNE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
glassglasscross-
off
cross-
off
oncrosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:21PM
1.28
8:34AM
1.81
11:06PM
1.32
9:07AM
1.82
11:47PM
1.35
9:42AM
1.83
12:24AM
1.37
10:19AM
1.83
1:00AM
1.37
10:56AM
1.81
1:35AM
1.38
11:35AM
1.77
2:09AM
1.40
12:16PM
1.70
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:56AM
0.93
4:10PM
-0.12
3:38AM
0.99
4:44PM
-0.18
4:17AM
1.03
5:18PM
-0.21
4:54AM
1.05
5:52PM
-0.22
5:31AM
1.06
6:27PM
-0.22
6:11AM
1.06
7:03PM
-0.20
6:55AM
1.05
Tue
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Sunrise--7:33--7:35--7:35--7:35--7:37--7:37--7:37
Sunset4:52--4:52--4:52--4:52--4:52--4:53--4:53--
heavy rain
mod rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
139-----2315---942------
Temp. °C15151111121313141311101211131412121111910
Feels °C (?)11117667781086111011111098755
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 12 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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