Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 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 7 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: Sunday 13 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period, NW swell with 664 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period with S 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 2.1m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2AM.

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 Powerful 8AM (Sun 13th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Cape Mendocino over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, this forecast is a bit of a heartbreaker for the first week. The water is sitting at 55°F – that’s a good bit colder than you’d expect for this time of year, a solid 3°F on the chilly side, so don’t forget the good rubber.

Right now and for the next several days, we’re looking at a persistent run of cross-shore winds that are just messing things up. The swell is there, but it’s small and junky, and the wind is putting a chop on it. There’s a bit of energy hanging around with combined energy values in the 700s (711) on Sunday the 6th, but it’s a 3ft SSW swell with a messy cross-breeze. It’s pretty much a write-off for a proper surf until the middle of the second week.

We’ve got a big gap here with no real recommendation. The wind just won’t let up, and the swell quality is poor. It’s not until Thursday the 17th that we see a glimmer of hope. That morning, the wind finally goes glassy – a light NW breeze at 3 mph. The swell is tiny, only 1ft from the SW, but it’s got a very long period of 21 seconds. That kind of groundswell carries a lot of energy for its size (393 combined energy), but it’s going to be super clean. It’s a bit of a sneaky, small-wave day for a patient surfer.

The true standout, the one you want to circle on the calendar, is Friday the 18th. That afternoon, Cape Mendocino should be absolute magic. The wind is going glassy, a light WNW breeze at 3 mph, with a 2ft SW groundswell rolling in at a nice 19-second period. The combined energy bumps up to 534, and the conditions are set to be very clean. This is a classic, long-period groundswell that will wrap in nicely. It’s not big, but it will be beautiful and lined up. Best bet on the whole forecast.

The following Saturday and Sunday the 19th and 20th look promising too, with more glassy windows and a similar 2ft to 3ft SW swell, though the wind might be a little more cross-on at times. Still, a far cry better than the first week. The crowds are listed as “sometimes” here, so you might see a few other souls out there, but it’s likely worth the paddle.

Keep in mind, that big swell on the 13th of September (6ft NW) was a poor-quality, short-period windswell with a strong cross-breeze – that’s more of a kite-surfing day than a paddle session. Let’s just focus on that sweet Friday the 18th.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Fri afternoon).

Sun
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
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
0
1
1
0
2
1
1
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
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
0.8
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.7
SW
19
0.7
SW
18
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SSW
17
1
SW
16
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
400
236
304
295
295
218
239
174
196
368
312
419
493
496
483
465
377
305
301
241
Wind (km/h)
25
N
20
N
20
NNW
25
N
15
N
15
NNW
15
N
10
NNE
10
N
15
N
15
N
20
NNW
25
N
20
N
25
N
30
N
25
NNE
30
N
30
N
25
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
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
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
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
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
14
17
17
15
19
20
20
25
24
22
20
20
16
17
17
13
15
16
13
Feels °C
12
11
14
13
13
17
18
17
22
21
18
17
17
13
13
12
8
10
10
9
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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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