Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with 759 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period. 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 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – looking at the Cape Mendocino stretch for the next 16 days, and it’s a tough one. The wind is the main problem. It’s almost always a cross-shore breeze, and often a fresh, lumpy one, which is going to chop up the surface. The swell is around, but it’s not combining with the right conditions to give us clean, rideable waves. We’re in for a long run of challenging conditions.
The first real surf we see kicks off Sunday the 23rd of August, but it’s messy. A 2ft SW groundswell with a very long 19-second period is pushing in, giving us moderate energy (442), but that 19 mph north cross-wind is killing it. The water temp is about average for this time of year. By Monday the 24th, the wind swings southwest and stays cross-onshore with a gentle breeze, and the swell mixes up – a weak 2ft SW groundswell (18s) and a short-period 5ft NW windswell (7s). The wave energy is moderate (609), but it’s “fairly choppy”. This pattern of messy, cross-shore wind and mixed swell hangs around for days.
There’s a bit more size on the 28th of August, with a 6ft NW windswell on Friday morning, but with 16 mph cross-winds, it’s not going to be pretty. The energy is moderate (680). The wind stays strong and cross-shore for the next week. Even when the swell bumps up to 7ft on the 2nd and 3rd of September, with strong energy (928 and 1066), the 16-22 mph north cross-winds will have it blown out and lumpy. This is expert-level size (over 8ft on the 3rd) but it’s unsurfable for most.
The real standout on paper, if you’re an expert and don’t mind a battle, is Thursday the 3rd of September. The swell is 7ft from the NW in the morning, with strong energy (1066), and a period of 8 seconds. That’s a lot of power, but it’s a short-period swell, which means it’ll be steep and dumpy. The wind is still a fresh 22 mph cross-shore, so it’s going to be a full-on, choppy, high-energy grind. Not for the faint of heart. The afternoon sees similar size (6ft) and even higher energy (1181), but with the same wind issues.
Honestly, if you’re after a paddle, this forecast is a washout. A setup this exposed, with persistent strong cross-shore winds and mixed swell, looks a lot more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The wind is consistent, and there’s plenty of energy. For us with paddles, it’s going to be a waiting game. The good news is that the swell is here, so if the wind ever decides to ease off or go offshore, we’ll be in for a treat. But based on what I’m seeing, that’s a long way off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 13 | SW 19 | NW 7 | SW 18 | NW 8 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
94 | 231 | 227 | 199 | 255 | 193 | 232 | 326 | 214 | 206 | 203 | 201 | 183 | 143 | 171 | 225 | 284 | 243 | 319 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 10:27AM1.34m | 8:25PM1.72m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:24AM0.11m | 3:09PM1.01m | 4:07AM0.05m | 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 | |||||||
— | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
8:05 | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 12 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 |
90 | 231 | 164 | 337 | 248 | 193 | 91 | 326 | 214 | 206 | 203 | 201 | 183 | 82 | 105 | 104 | 271 | 243 | 319 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | S 16 | S 16 | SW 18 | S 14 | SW 17 | NW 6 | S 13 | S 13 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SW 14 | S 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
47 | 26 | 76 | 124 | 255 | 153 | 232 | 39 | 126 | 125 | 32 | 29 | 24 | 143 | 131 | 164 | 63 | 88 | 84 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | S 14 | SW 18 | S 14 | S 13 | W 15 | WNW 8 | S 12 | W 12 | S 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | W 10 | SW 13 | S 11 | SSE 10 |
94 | 75 | 30 | 199 | 106 | 192 | 146 | 126 | 71 | 38 | 72 | 75 | 109 | 134 | 171 | 35 | 62 | 62 | 35 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | NNW 5 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | N 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 |
104 | 110 | 227 | — | — | — | — | — | 37 | 25 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 19 | 24 | 225 | 284 | 312 | 352 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 54 | 244 | 54 | 21 | 86 | 93 | 21 | 152 | 151 | 51 | 151 | 151 | 51 | 316 | 436 | 40 | 151 | 436 | 40 |
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.











