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Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA
Forecast update in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Cape Mendocino surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
9.8° C
(Which is 2.5°C colder than average for this time of year)Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 29 May 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 31 May, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 29 May, 11AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, WNW swell with 2,212 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 31 May, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period with NW 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 Sunday (May 31) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 21s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 2.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 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 2.5m 8s period and expected on Saturday (May 30) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 31st May) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 31st May) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 29th May) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 29 | Saturday 30 | Sunday 31 | Monday 1 | Tuesday 2 | Wednesday 3 | Thursday 4 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
WNW 14 | NW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | NW 11 | NW 9 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | WNW 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | |
2212 | 1895 | 824 | 353 | 436 | 458 | 1299 | 455 | 485 | 637 | 497 | 637 | 566 | 539 | 525 | 430 | 353 | 527 | 503 | 1123 | 766 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | |
High Tide | 12:00PM1.24m | 10:24PM1.76m | 12:47PM1.26m | 10:55PM1.75m | 1:30PM1.27m | 11:28PM1.73m | 2:11PM1.27m | 00:03AM1.70m | 2:50PM1.27m | 00:41AM1.66m | 3:30PM1.27m | 1:21AM1.60m | 4:09PM1.29m | 2:04AM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:44PM0.82m | 5:53AM-0.24m | 5:23PM0.89m | 6:27AM-0.27m | 6:02PM0.94m | 7:01AM-0.27m | 6:40PM0.98m | 7:37AM-0.26m | 7:19PM1.00m | 8:14AM-0.23m | 8:03PM1.01m | 8:53AM-0.18m | 8:55PM1.01m | ||||||||
5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
— | 8:38 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:43 | — | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
10 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 14 | NW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | NW 11 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 18 | WNW 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 9 | SSW 19 | W 10 |
2212 | 1895 | 824 | 353 | 436 | 458 | 260 | 455 | 302 | 284 | 497 | 199 | 566 | 539 | 525 | 430 | 191 | 527 | 202 | 1123 | 270 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | NW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NNW 6 | W 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | W 12 | SSW 19 |
105 | 110 | 306 | 105 | 73 | 70 | 124 | 67 | 485 | 637 | 87 | 637 | 94 | 70 | 71 | 180 | 353 | 368 | 503 | 330 | 766 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 21 | SSW 14 | SSW 19 | SSW 24 | SSW 22 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 14 | S 15 | WNW 8 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 12 | SSW 16 |
— | 9 | 115 | 37 | 54 | 186 | 33 | 32 | 105 | 4 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 45 | 149 | 214 | 211 | 211 | 3 | 322 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 4 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 |
68 | 49 | 302 | 869 | 508 | 850 | 1299 | 1198 | 1098 | 689 | 807 | 298 | 211 | 118 | 116 | 32 | 38 | 81 | 93 | 87 | 51 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 151 | 438 | 54 | 334 | 436 | 54 | 262 | 437 | 41 | 294 | 80 | 40 | 151 | 437 | 40 | 149 | 438 | 59 | 262 | 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.











