Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 06 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
13.1°C
1.5° 

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 7 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, NW swell with 825 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period with SSE 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 2.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) 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 2.2m 8s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Tue 8th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 8th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sun 13th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into what’s shaping up for Cape Mendocino over the next couple of weeks.

Right now, and for the first few days, we’re in a bit of a flat spell. There’s some small swell in the water, but it’s getting chopped up by cross-shore winds and the quality just isn’t there for a proper paddle. You’ll see surf around 3 ft from the SSE, but with moderate cross-breezes and lumpy conditions, it’s more of a session for the hardcore or a gear-check day. The combined energy is moderate at best (691). We’re looking at a string of days where the scores are low, so don’t get your hopes up for anything clean.

Now, if you’re patient, the first real standout window arrives on Sunday the 13th of September in the morning. The swell jumps up to 7 ft from the NW, with a short period of 9 seconds. The combined energy jumps into strong territory (839). Now, 7 ft is getting a bit big for beginners – this one’s for the experienced crew. The wind is still cross-shore from the N at 15 mph, so it won’t be glassy, but that’s the best size we’ll see for a while. It’s a fairly consistent spot, so it’s worth a look if you’ve got the chops. The water temp is running about average for this time of year, so no thermal surprises.

After that pulse on the 13th, the swell drops off again. By Tuesday the 15th, we’re back to small, weak surf with a short-period NW windswell and cross-onshore wind. Conditions start looking more interesting for a kite session than a paddle, honestly. The combined energy drops right back (432), so it’s a waiting game again.

The rest of the second week stays pretty quiet. There’s a few marginal moments on the 21st and 22nd of September where the combined energy climbs back up (800-926) with 3 ft to 3 ft of SW swell and a long 18-second period. That long period means it’s a proper groundswell, so think cleaner lines but wider gaps between sets. A spot like this, exposed to the SW, could show some shape. Still, the wind stays cross-shore, so it’s not a slam dunk. It’s promising, but with it being more than a week out, keep an eye on it.

So, overall: the best bet for a bit of size is Sunday morning, September 13th at Cape Mendocino. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only time the numbers stack up for a proper session. After that, keep watching the 21st and 22nd. For now, the board’s staying in the car a bit longer.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed night, min 12°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
1
1
0
2
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
2
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)
0.8
SSW
14
0.9
SSE
14
0.9
SSE
13
0.9
SSE
13
0.9
SSE
13
0.9
S
12
0.8
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.7
SW
19
0.7
SW
18
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
1
SW
16
1
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.7
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
236
304
295
290
273
247
174
196
368
312
419
493
441
483
465
372
305
301
206
Wind (km/h)
15
NNE
20
N
25
N
15
N
15
N
15
N
10
NNE
15
NNW
20
N
20
N
20
NNW
30
N
25
N
30
N
30
N
20
NNE
30
N
35
N
25
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
9:58AM1.47m
8:37PM1.91m
10:36AM1.56m
9:37PM1.94m
11:11AM1.64m
10:32PM1.91m
11:44AM1.71m
11:23PM1.85m
12:15PM1.76m
00:14AM1.74m
12:45PM1.78m
1:04AM1.62m
Low Tide
3:10AM-0.12m
3:02PM0.86m
4:00AM-0.14m
3:59PM0.71m
4:44AM-0.12m
4:49PM0.56m
5:23AM-0.05m
5:37PM0.42m
6:00AM0.06m
6:22PM0.30m
6:36AM0.21m
7:07PM0.22m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
6:50
6:52
6:52
6:54
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:32
7:31
 mm
Temp °C
14
17
18
15
20
20
19
24
24
19
19
18
14
15
16
13
15
16
14
Feels °C
11
13
14
14
18
18
16
20
21
15
16
14
10
10
11
9
10
11
9
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  • 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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