Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NW swell with 1,275 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 14s. 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) 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 3.5m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
Right off the bat, I’ll be straight with you: Cape Mendocino is not looking good for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long stretch of poor conditions ahead, so don’t get your hopes up for any clean, rideable waves for a while.
The first chance of anything surfable is on Friday, July 31st, but even then it’s marginal. We’re looking at a small 3 ft swell from the SSW with a period of 14 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate (562). The wind is a problem though – a moderate breeze from the north at 15 mph, blowing cross-shore, making for a lumpy cross-chop. The water is a bit colder than normal at 54°F, with an anomaly of -3°F. Conditions are tough, and the quality is rated low.
After that, things go downhill fast. From Saturday, August 1st, all the way through to Thursday, August 14th, it’s a complete blank run. Every single session is rated as “poor surf conditions” with a score of 0. The wind stays stubbornly cross-shore, mostly from the north or NNW, and it’s fresh to strong, between 15 and 25 mph. The swell is small, mostly around 1 ft to 2 ft, with a mix of short and long period swells, but none of it matters because the wind keeps the surface a mess. There’s a couple of spots where the swell period goes over 15 seconds, but with the strong cross-shore wind and the exposed nature of the break, it’ll just be a washing machine.
The only glimmer of hope comes on Saturday, August 15th, over two weeks away. The morning session is rated marginal, with a 3 ft SSW swell (18 seconds period) and the wind easing to a moderate 12 mph from the NNW, still cross-shore. The combined energy is strong (585), but the wind is still not ideal. It’s a long way out, so don’t bank on it, but it’s the only spot that might offer a few rideable waves if the wind co-operates.
Honestly, this is a classic Cape Mendocino summer shut-down. The wind pattern is relentless, and the swell is too small to work with the cross-shore breeze. With the wind as strong as it is, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. If you’re desperate for a surf, wait and see what that Saturday the 15th brings, but for now, don’t paddle out expecting much.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | NW 6 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 239 | 183 | 134 | 165 | 99 | 92 | 70 | 49 | 44 | 43 | 41 | 86 | 79 | 36 | 73 | 72 | 96 | 47 | 45 | 82 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 00:53AM1.70m | 2:22PM1.56m | 1:37AM1.58m | 2:50PM1.63m | 2:28AM1.44m | 3:22PM1.69m | 3:30AM1.28m | 3:58PM1.75m | 4:51AM1.14m | 4:41PM1.81m | 6:35AM1.09m | 5:33PM1.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:23PM0.78m | 7:50AM-0.01m | 8:07PM0.70m | 8:22AM0.12m | 8:57PM0.60m | 8:56AM0.27m | 9:54PM0.50m | 9:34AM0.46m | 10:58PM0.37m | 10:18AM0.65m | 00:08AM0.24m | 11:14AM0.82m | 1:20AM0.09m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | 8:32 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 138 | 116 | 88 | 136 | 99 | 92 | 70 | 44 | 44 | 43 | 41 | 86 | 79 | 34 | 73 | 72 | 96 | 47 | 45 | 44 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 11 | S 13 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 239 | 183 | 134 | 55 | 75 | 46 | 45 | 49 | 44 | 41 | 15 | 14 | 28 | 36 | 14 | 12 | 31 | 37 | 37 | 82 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | S 14 | SSE 11 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 13 | SW 20 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 152 | 135 | 91 | 25 | 15 | 13 | 49 | 29 | 12 | 12 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 3 | 11 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | N 4 | NNW 5 | NW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 |
| kJ | 33 | 15 | 48 | 165 | 972 | 1087 | 1337 | 2490 | 1821 | 1808 | 2022 | 1380 | 1151 | 990 | 1351 | 1411 | 1823 | 1591 | 1194 | 1514 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 437 | 54 | 262 | 436 | 68 | 294 | 780 | 54 | 289 | 54 | 54 | 104 | 51 | 40 | 170 | 54 | 41 | 722 | 80 | 41 |
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.
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