Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 14 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 14 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, WNW swell with 518 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period with WNW 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 (Jul 19) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Sun 19th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Best Surf 8AM (Sun 19th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Most Powerful 5PM (Fri 17th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be honest with you, looking at the 16-day window for Cape Mendocino, it’s a tough stretch. The water is sitting at 51°F which is a solid 5°F colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be wanting a thick wetsuit and booties right from the start.

We’re kicking off with a blank run. The first few days are a write-off. Tuesday the 14th through to Wednesday the 15th have nothing but poor surf conditions with a moderate cross-shore breeze chopping things up. The swell is tiny—around 2ft to 3ft—and the wave energy is weak (280 to 406). It’s not worth paddling out for.

There’s a bit of a tease on Thursday the 16th morning. The swell is still small at 2ft, but the period jumps to 19 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell, and the energy picks up to moderate (622). It’s marginal, but there might be a rare clean wave if you’re desperate. The wind is still cross, though, so it’s not the best.

The most interesting window comes on Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th. Friday morning the swell bumps up to 7ft from the NW with a short period of 8 seconds, and the energy is strong (1244). It’s a bit of a messy beast though—cross-shore winds at 16 mph and only a marginal call. That’s expert territory with that size, and the short period means it’ll be a bit fat and crumbly on the beach. Not the cleanest, but there’s some juice.

Saturday the 18th is similar: 6ft to 6ft from the NW, still short period, strong energy (1099 to 1136). The wind lightens a touch on Saturday afternoon to a moderate breeze, but it’s still cross-shore choppy. It’s a “maybe” for experienced surfers, not a standout.

Sunday the 19th is the best bet in the whole forecast—and it’s still nothing to write home about. The morning brings 5ft from the NW with a light onshore breeze, only 6 mph. It’s marginal, but the wind is light, so the surface might be cleaner than the rest of the week. The energy is still moderate (790). Afternoon sees a drop to 3ft from the SW with a long period of 17 seconds, but it’s cross-onshore again. The morning is your best chance for a few fun ones if you’re an intermediate or above.

After that, it’s a long, frustrating slide into the second week. From Monday the 20th onward, the swell drops to knee-high (3ft to 3ft) with moderate energy (415 to 472) and cross-shore winds picking up again. The period is long (16 to 21 seconds), but the swell is too small to do anything with. The last few days of the forecast (24th to 29th) see the energy climb back up to moderate-to-strong (931 to 1143) with very long periods (20 to 24 seconds) but the swell height stays tiny at 2ft to 3ft. It’s a classic case of a big groundswell passing deep but not wrapping cleanly, and the wind stays fresh cross-shore (19 mph), so it’s lumpy and messy. Not worth a look.

Overall, it’s a lean 16 days. The only real chance is Sunday morning the 19th for a few cleanish waves if you’re an expert. Otherwise, leave the boards in the car and go for a walk.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
W
14
0.5
W
14
0.6
SW
18
0.9
WNW
10
1
WNW
10
0.5
WNW
20
0.6
WNW
19
0.6
WNW
19
0.9
WNW
18
2
NW
8
1
WNW
16
0.9
WNW
16
1.9
NW
8
0.8
SW
18
0.9
WNW
16
1.6
NW
8
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
0.8
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
106
103
194
154
183
218
286
280
438
441
518
463
440
408
400
330
434
419
302
362
367
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
25
NNW
25
N
20
NNE
25
N
30
N
20
N
25
NNW
25
NNW
15
N
15
NNW
20
NNW
15
N
10
W
10
NW
15
N
10
NW
10
NNW
15
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
High Tide
1:01PM1.50m
11:31PM2.12m
1:42PM1.56m
00:24AM2.04m
2:22PM1.61m
1:16AM1.89m
3:01PM1.66m
2:11AM1.69m
3:40PM1.69m
3:10AM1.48m
4:20PM1.72m
4:18AM1.27m
5:00PM1.73m
Low Tide
5:52PM0.84m
6:56AM-0.48m
6:48PM0.78m
7:41AM-0.39m
7:46PM0.71m
8:23AM-0.23m
8:45PM0.65m
9:05AM-0.04m
9:49PM0.58m
9:47AM0.18m
10:56PM0.49m
10:31AM0.41m
00:05AM0.40m
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
5:58
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:03
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:46
8:45
8:45
8:45
8:44
8:44
8:43
 mm
Temp °C
16
16
14
15
15
14
15
15
13
15
15
14
15
15
14
15
15
13
15
15
14
Feels °C
12
11
10
11
10
10
11
11
9
11
11
11
13
12
11
14
14
12
14
14
13
  • 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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