Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
10.5° C
2.9° 

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 13 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, WNW swell with 518 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 1.0m 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 2.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
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. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next stretch.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough run. The whole 16-day window is lookin’ pretty bleak for anything worth paddling out for. We’ve got a whole lot of cross-shore wind and messy, choppy conditions, and the swell is just not cooperating. For the first few days, from the 13th to the 15th, it’s a complete write-off. The water is a chilly 51° on the 13th, which is 5° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a real shock to the system, and you’ll be feelin’ that even through a thick wetsuit. The combined wave energy is weak (554) and the wind is a solid 16 mph from the NNW, making for a lumpy, cross-chop mess. It’s just poor surf conditions, plain and simple.

We do start to see a bit of a pulse around the 16th and 17th. Thursday the 16th brings a 6 ft NW swell with a short 7-second period, but that cross-shore wind is still messing it up. The energy is moderate (815), but the “marginal” tag is right – it’s not gonna be pretty. Friday the 17th morning is a bit of a tease: a 3 ft WNW swell with a really long 17-second period, giving it a high energy reading (1001). That’s a proper groundswell, but at a beach break like Cape Mendocino, that long period is gonna make it break too straight and close out. Plus, the wind is still cross-shore. It’s the best we’ve got, but it’s a real “if you’re desperate” kind of call.

After that, it’s a long, grinding slide back into nothing. From the 18th all the way through to the 28th, we’re stuck with a mix of tiny swells, long-period junk, and a relentless cross-shore, often a fresh breeze at 19 mph. The energy numbers are all over the place, but the surf quality is just not there. It’s a long stretch of flat to poor conditions. The only flicker of hope is on the morning of Friday the 24th, with a 3 ft SSE swell, but again, it’s marginal at best.

So, what’s the standout? Honestly, there isn’t a proper one. If I had to point to the best on offer, it’s that Friday the 17th morning. The swell energy is high (1001), and the long period means there’s power, but it’s a gamble for the reasons I said. For a more reliable, but still average session, the 16th might be it. But don’t get your hopes up. This is a classic case of a long, quiet period for this area – it happens. The forecasts can change, but right now, I’d say save your energy and check back in a few days.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
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
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
2
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
NW
8
0.6
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
13
1.2
NW
6
1.3
NNW
6
0.6
SW
18
1.6
NW
7
1.1
WNW
10
1.3
WNW
9
1.8
NW
7
1.8
NW
8
0.9
WNW
18
0.9
WNW
17
1
WNW
16
0.9
WNW
16
0.9
WNW
16
0.8
SW
18
0.9
WNW
16
0.8
WNW
15
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
330
118
184
109
111
194
230
235
264
340
350
438
433
518
463
446
375
348
259
439
419
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
25
N
20
NNE
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
15
NNW
20
N
20
N
25
N
25
N
20
N
25
NNW
30
N
20
NNW
25
NNW
30
N
25
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
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
2:11AM1.69m
3:40PM1.69m
3:10AM1.48m
4:20PM1.72m
4:18AM1.27m
Low Tide
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
8:45PM0.65m
9:05AM-0.04m
9:49PM0.58m
9:47AM0.18m
10:56PM0.49m
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
5:58
5:58
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:46
8:46
8:45
8:45
8:45
8:44
8:44
 mm
Temp °C
16
17
14
15
16
13
15
16
13
14
15
14
15
16
14
15
16
14
15
16
14
Feels °C
12
12
10
11
11
9
11
12
9
12
12
10
11
12
10
11
11
10
11
12
10
  • 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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