Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let's be straight with you – the outlook for the next couple weeks is a proper bummer. There's nothing stand-out to shout about, so keep your expectations low.

There's a little bump of energy on Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th with some 4ft to 5ft of SSW swell, running with a long period around 17-18 seconds, giving moderate wave energy. But the wind is a cross-shore from the NNW to N at 12 to 16 mph, churning up a cross-chop and making it messy. The water temp is about average for the time of year, but that doesn't help the quality. The only spot in the mix is Cape Mendocino, an advanced, fairly consistent break. But with these winds and the marginal conditions, it’s not a session to drive for. By Wednesday the 29th, the energy fades fast, with combined swell energy dropping from 1152 down to next to nothing. Winds stay fresh and cross-shore through Saturday the 1st of August, then on Sunday the 2nd, it goes to a strong breeze at 25 mph. That’s more kite-surfing weather than paddle-surfing weather.

After those first couple days, there's a real long dry spell for over a week with no good recommendations at all. There’s a tiny whisper around the 7th and 8th of August with some 2ft to 3ft of SSW groundswell, period hitting 21 seconds on the 7th morning, but the energy is still weak, and the wind stays cross-shore. That’s not going to be much fun. The swell direction also isn't playing ball with the optimum SW direction for Cape Mendocino.

So, what's the best in this poor lot? The pick is Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th. If you're desperate, dawn on Monday will have the most size with 4ft of SSW swell and the lightest wind. But clean it is not. It’s a tough stretch, but forecasts can always change. For now, it's looking like the ocean is taking a long break.

Rusty.

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