Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 10 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
10.8° C
2.6° 

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 11 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 12 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, NW swell with 638 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cape Mendocino this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 1.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) 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 3.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 8AM (Sun 12th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 10s

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


Hey crew, Rusty back at it. For the Cape Mendocino stretch, the next 16 days are looking like a bit of a bust. We’ve got a long, wind-chopped run ahead with barely any real surf to get excited about.

The only half-decent window is on Friday, July 17th, in the morning. The wind swings offshore from the WNW at just 6 mph, which will clean things right up. Swell is small at 3 ft from the WNW, with a long 17-second period – that’s quality groundswell energy, but it might not wrap into the beach breaks perfectly. The combined energy is rated at 575 (moderate). It’s not perfect, but if you want the best wave of the period, that’s your shot.

From there, it’s a grind. Saturday the 18th through to the 26th of July is mostly cross-shore wind from the NNW or N, blowing 12 to 22 mph. Swell heights are mostly 1 ft to 3 ft, and it’s just messy. The combined wave energy drops off a cliff, often under 400, and the raw scores are terrible. There’s a slight tease on the morning of July 26th: a 2 ft swell from the SW with a super long 20-second period, and the wind finally drops to a light 3 mph cross-on breeze. The energy is 394 (still moderate), but it’s tiny and weak – a longboard day if you’re desperate.

Water temps are about average for the season around here. You might see a few other surfers at this spot because crowds are listed as "sometimes," but honestly, there won’t be much competition for these small, grovelly waves. This setup is more suited to a kite than a paddle for most of the forecast.

For the next two weeks, you’ve got one morning that might be worth pulling the wetsuit on for. Otherwise, it’s a classic summer lull.
Keep your chin up,
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Fri
17
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
15
1.8
NW
10
1.9
NW
10
1.9
NW
7
1.7
NW
9
0.6
SSW
14
1.7
NW
8
0.6
SSW
13
0.4
WNW
14
0.5
W
14
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.4
WNW
20
0.5
WNW
20
0.6
WNW
19
0.6
WNW
19
0.8
WNW
18
0.8
WNW
17
0.9
WNW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
334
330
334
597
625
323
449
127
326
139
69
104
194
194
160
218
286
280
348
344
394
Wind (km/h)
20
NNE
25
N
30
N
25
N
25
N
30
N
20
N
25
NNW
30
N
20
N
25
NNW
30
N
20
N
30
NNW
30
N
30
N
35
NNW
30
N
15
N
10
WNW
15
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
on
cross-on
High Tide
10:39AM1.25m
8:48PM2.06m
11:31AM1.36m
9:44PM2.12m
12:18PM1.44m
10:38PM2.15m
1:01PM1.50m
11:31PM2.12m
1:42PM1.56m
00:24AM2.04m
2:22PM1.61m
1:16AM1.89m
3:01PM1.66m
Low Tide
3:40AM-0.25m
2:56PM0.92m
4:33AM-0.40m
3:57PM0.93m
5:23AM-0.49m
4:56PM0.90m
6:11AM-0.52m
5:52PM0.84m
6:56AM-0.48m
6:48PM0.78m
7:41AM-0.39m
7:46PM0.71m
8:23AM-0.23m
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:56
5:56
5:58
5:58
5:58
6:00
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:49
8:47
8:47
8:46
8:46
8:45
8:45
8:45
 mm
Temp °C
14
16
16
14
15
15
13
15
16
13
16
16
13
15
15
13
14
15
13
14
14
Feels °C
10
12
11
9
10
10
8
10
11
8
12
11
8
9
9
8
8
9
9
12
12
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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