Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with 877 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Cape Mendocino. Over the next couple weeks, it’s gonna be a grind. The swell is showing up, but the wind is going to be a constant headache. We’re looking at a lot of cross-shore breeze making things choppy and difficult.
The water temperature is about 57°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. The overall combined wave energy is kicking off around 572 (moderate) and it stays in that moderate range for most of the first week. The main issue starting Monday the 24th is we’ve got a small 2ft groundswell from the SSW with a crazy long 18-second period. That’s a lot of energy, but it’s hitting with a cross wind that’s going to mess up the surface. That clean potential is getting ruined.
Your best window in this tough stretch is probably Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th. The swell bumps up to about 4ft from the SSW, with solid energy hitting right at 999. The period drops a bit to 16 seconds, so still a nice groundswell. But once again, we’re dealing with a moderate cross breeze. It’s not the clean surf we want, but it will be the most push you’ll see in the water.
As we move into the first week of September, things change a little. On Tuesday the 1st, we see a shift in the wind to an onshore flow from the West, and the swell period drops way off to 9-10 seconds. It’s a weaker, crummier feeling. Then Wednesday the 2nd, the combined energy jumps past 1000 (strong) with a 4ft S swell, but it’s still that same story of cross-winds. That energy is impressive, but the conditions won’t let you enjoy it. For the more experienced surfers, keep an eye on Thursday the 3rd. There’s a long-period SSW groundswell at 19 seconds with energy over 1100. The size is only about 3ft, but that extreme period means the waves could have great shape. You’d just need a lucky break in that persistent cross wind.
For a spot that’s fairly consistent, this stretch of ugly wind is a bummer. You can get wet if you’re keen, but there are no perfect, glassy days to get stoked about.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 255 | 246 | 232 | 326 | 214 | 206 | 203 | 201 | 183 | 139 | 171 | 164 | 339 | 281 | 315 | 759 | 751 | 487 | 582 | 463 | 334 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 12:58PM1.65m | 00:47AM1.65m | 1:25PM1.71m | 1:37AM1.53m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:43AM0.11m | 7:01PM0.47m | 7:13AM0.23m | 7:44PM0.37m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSE 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 211 | 158 | 91 | 326 | 214 | 206 | 203 | 201 | 183 | 139 | 71 | 120 | 339 | 281 | 315 | 759 | 751 | 487 | 582 | 463 | 334 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | NW 6 | S 13 | S 13 | W 13 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 15 | SSE 13 | SW 14 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 13 | SSE 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 |
| kJ | 255 | 246 | 232 | 39 | 126 | 125 | 89 | 27 | 24 | 134 | 125 | 164 | 99 | 65 | 88 | 33 | 32 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | W 15 | WNW 8 | S 12 | WSW 12 | S 14 | W 11 | SW 15 | S 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 11 | W 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | 106 | 153 | 146 | 126 | 71 | 36 | 75 | 49 | 104 | 39 | 171 | 103 | 62 | 88 | 59 | 21 | 17 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 3 | N 5 | NW 8 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 32 | 18 | 16 | 5 | 5 | 115 | 19 | 6 | 205 | 187 | 165 | 186 | 105 | 145 | 303 | 342 | 175 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 86 | 262 | 0 | 152 | 151 | 0 | 262 | 134 | 51 | 211 | 436 | 40 | 151 | 436 | 51 | 151 | 800 | 45 | 151 | 437 | 21 |
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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