Cape Mendocino surfForecast / CAL – Humboldt / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Tuesday 19 May 2026 PDT
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
8.7° C
(Which is 3.4°C colder than average for this time of year)

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 Saturday (May 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s 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 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 27) at 2AM. 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 9s period and expected on Thursday (May 21) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Sat 23rd May)3ft (0.9m) 10s
Best Surf 5PM (Tue 26th May)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 2AM (Wed 27th May)11ft (3.5m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tue
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
2
1
1
2
!
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)
1.8
WNW
13
1.5
WNW
12
1.5
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
11
0.6
SW
19
0.4
SW
19
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.9
WNW
10
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.7
SW
16
0.8
WNW
16
1.1
NW
15
1.4
WNW
13
1.4
WNW
13
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
17
2.3
NW
12
3
NW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1117
658
585
450
303
112
116
154
154
182
171
201
258
326
489
669
630
417
464
1413
2043
Wind (km/h)
25
N
30
N
35
N
25
N
25
NNW
25
N
25
N
30
NNW
30
N
20
N
10
NNW
15
NNW
5
SSW
15
S
10
SSW
5
SSE
5
NW
15
NNW
25
N
20
NNW
30
N
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
1:37AM1.89m
4:18PM1.41m
2:36AM1.75m
5:15PM1.44m
3:42AM1.58m
6:08PM1.50m
4:56AM1.41m
6:56PM1.57m
6:17AM1.27m
7:39PM1.64m
7:41AM1.19m
8:18PM1.70m
8:59AM1.16m
Low Tide
8:05PM0.89m
9:11AM-0.47m
9:15PM0.90m
10:08AM-0.34m
10:35PM0.85m
11:07AM-0.19m
11:58PM0.75m
12:04PM-0.03m
1:13AM0.58m
12:59PM0.14m
2:19AM0.39m
1:49PM0.30m
3:13AM0.20m
2:37PM0.45m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:56
5:56
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:52
5:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:30
8:30
8:31
8:32
8:34
8:35
8:35
8:36
Temp °C
12
13
13
10
14
15
12
14
14
12
13
13
11
13
13
11
13
14
12
13
13
8
7
6
4
9
10
8
8
8
7
11
10
9
10
11
10
12
11
7
9
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
WNW
13
1.5
WNW
12
1.5
WNW
12
1.4
WNW
11
0.9
WNW
11
0.5
SW
15
3
NNW
9
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.9
WNW
10
1.9
NNW
8
1.7
NNW
8
1.9
NNW
8
1.8
NNW
9
1.3
NNW
8
1.4
WNW
13
1.4
WNW
13
1.2
WNW
12
1.2
NW
12
2.3
NW
12
0.9
SSW
16
Energy kJ
1117
658
585
450
211
112
1473
154
154
182
481
372
493
512
232
669
630
378
407
1413
348
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
16
0.5
SW
21
0.4
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.6
SW
19
0.4
S
13
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.9
WNW
10
0.8
WNW
10
0.7
SW
16
0.8
WNW
16
1.1
NW
15
1
NNW
8
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
15
0.2
S
10
Energy kJ
96
224
89
112
303
55
116
109
110
109
171
120
258
326
489
107
344
417
464
419
8
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
S
15
0.4
S
14
0.4
S
14
0.4
S
14
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
19
0.4
S
13
0.4
S
13
0.4
S
13
0.4
S
12
0.6
SSW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.4
WNW
18
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
WNW
9
0.6
SSW
14
0.8
NNW
7
0.3
S
11
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
10
Energy kJ
38
64
59
58
79
96
54
51
51
49
164
201
123
223
76
140
59
21
9
8
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
NNW
8
2.2
NNW
8
2.5
NNW
8
2.5
NNW
9
2.5
NNW
9
3
NNW
9
3
NNW
9
3
NNW
9
2.1
NNW
8
0.4
SSE
3
0.8
NNW
7
0.9
NNW
5
3
NW
12
Energy kJ
438
589
870
977
1060
1358
1561
1372
597
3
59
44
2043
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
5
3
2
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
Distance (km)
52
244
437
40
219
51
41
191
51
45
219
51
21
170
51
0
75
75
97
151
439
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
3
4
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
2
4
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
5
4
5
5
7
6
5
5
8
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
  • 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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