Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 06 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
12.9°C
1.7° 

Cape Mendocino surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SW swell with 565 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period with SSE 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 (Sep 08) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period. 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 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) 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 2.1m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Tue 8th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf 8AM (Thu 10th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 17s
Most Powerful11AM (Fri 11th Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Cape Mendocino. It’s a familiar story for this exposed stretch of coast – the ocean’s got some energy, but the wind is the real boss around here, and it’s been a grumpy one.

Right now, we’re looking at a pretty tough run. The swell is hanging around a modest 3 ft from the SSW, with a nice long period between 14 and 17 seconds, which screams groundswell. But the problem is the wind. It’s hammering from the North and NNW at 9 to 15 mph, all cross-shore, and that’s putting a nasty chop on everything. The water temperature is sitting at 55°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget a good hood.

That sea breeze from the North keeps building through the afternoon, and the wave energy is moderate (615 to 726). It’s surfable for the advanced crew, but it’s scratchy and messy. This pattern locks in right through the first week. Monday and Tuesday (the 7th and 8th) are a bit smaller, dropping to 3 ft, still with that cross-shore wind. It’s the kind of stuff that will keep you frustrated.

The real opportunity doesn’t show up until Monday, the 21st of September. That’s the standout. Early morning, the wind drops out completely. We’re talking glassy conditions with a 3 ft SW groundswell rolling in with a 17-second period. The combined energy is moderate (546), and the water will be clean. It’s not a big day, but when you’ve got that long period swell and no wind, the lines will be clean. For a spot that is fairly consistent, this is a great window. A reef set-up like this loves that long period, long wait between sets, but the paddle out will be easier. Just be aware, the crowds can show up sometimes here, so get in early.

What about the week before? The 13th of September sees a spike in swell height to 6 ft, but it’s short period (8 seconds) and the wind is still a solid 15-18 mph cross-shore. That’s junk. It’s a write-off. The following days all have the same problem: wind. The swell sticks around, but the conditions are just poor.

So, to sum it up: the next two weeks are mostly a fight with the wind. The only true stand-out is the morning of Monday, September 21st. Glassy, clean, long period SW groundswell. That’s the one to pencil in. The rest? A lot of chop and frustration.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Wed morning, fresh winds from the N by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
2
1
0
2
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SSW
15
1
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.9
SSE
14
0.9
SSE
13
0.9
SSE
13
0.8
SSE
13
0.9
S
12
1
S
12
1
S
11
0.7
SW
19
0.8
WNW
12
0.9
SW
17
1
SW
17
1
SW
16
1.1
SW
16
1
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
405
400
236
304
295
295
212
239
287
250
368
184
419
553
496
565
465
372
305
301
241
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
25
N
20
N
20
N
25
N
15
N
10
NNW
15
N
5
NNE
10
NW
15
N
15
N
15
N
25
N
20
N
25
NNW
30
N
25
NNE
30
N
30
N
30
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
9:14AM1.37m
7:30PM1.87m
9:58AM1.47m
8:37PM1.91m
10:36AM1.56m
9:37PM1.94m
11:11AM1.64m
10:32PM1.91m
11:44AM1.71m
11:23PM1.85m
12:15PM1.76m
00:14AM1.74m
12:45PM1.78m
1:04AM1.62m
Low Tide
1:56PM0.98m
3:10AM-0.12m
3:02PM0.86m
4:00AM-0.14m
3:59PM0.71m
4:44AM-0.12m
4:49PM0.56m
5:23AM-0.05m
5:37PM0.42m
6:00AM0.06m
6:22PM0.30m
6:36AM0.21m
7:07PM0.22m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:50
6:50
6:52
6:52
6:54
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:40
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:32
7:31
 mm
Temp °C
16
16
14
17
17
15
19
20
18
23
23
21
20
20
16
17
17
13
15
16
14
Feels °C
14
12
11
14
13
14
17
18
15
21
21
18
18
17
13
13
12
8
9
10
9
  • 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 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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