Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, NW swell with 1,100 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 18s. 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 2.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Yo, what’s up, it’s Rusty. Alright, let’s be real, looking at the Cape Mendocino region, this 16-day stretch is pretty quiet. There’s no real energy out there for a while, and the forecast is pretty flat with a sprinkle of “meh” thrown in. Most of the period is filled with marginal surf, with small, inconsistent waves and funky winds. There’s a big gap of poor to marginal conditions from the 4th right through to the 11th, with nothing worth getting excited about.
The first real standout I see shaping up is on Saturday, September 12th. We’ve got clean conditions at Cape Mendocino with a tiny 3-ft swell from the SW, with a period of 14 seconds, and the wind is going glassy in the afternoon. The water energy is moderate (543). That’s the one to keep an eye on. It’s not big, but it’ll be clean. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
After that, it’s back to a mixed bag. There’s a short window on Tuesday, September 15th in the afternoon where the wind goes glassy again with 3.5-ft from the NW, but the period drops to 8 seconds, so it’s not going to have much push. The energy is pretty weak (367). Then we’re back to poor to marginal conditions right through to the end of the forecast.
So, bottom line: if you’re a beginner, most of this is too small and sloppy to bother with. The 12th is your best bet if you’ve got a longboard and just want some clean little rollers. For anyone else, keep the waxed board ready and wait for the next system. It’s a quiet one.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed night, min 13°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | NW 11 | NW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 928 | 742 | 659 | 627 | 589 | 653 | 405 | 400 | 296 | 322 | 299 | 299 | 411 | 442 | 477 | 448 | 493 | 477 | 419 | 567 | 367 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:06PM1.83m | 8:17AM1.27m | 6:17PM1.84m | 9:14AM1.37m | 7:30PM1.87m | 9:58AM1.47m | 8:37PM1.91m | 10:36AM1.56m | 9:37PM1.94m | 11:11AM1.64m | 10:32PM1.91m | 11:44AM1.71m | 11:23PM1.85m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:07AM1.00m | 1:00AM0.02m | 12:35PM1.04m | 2:10AM-0.05m | 1:56PM0.98m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 25 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | NW 8 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | NNW 7 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 928 | 716 | 492 | 287 | 230 | 653 | 405 | 400 | 149 | 322 | 299 | 299 | 145 | 442 | 477 | 448 | 493 | 477 | 396 | 240 | 208 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NW 9 | SSW 11 | NW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 14 | SSW 13 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 651 | 742 | 659 | 627 | 589 | 194 | 68 | 91 | 264 | 233 | 223 | 118 | 411 | 118 | 109 | 69 | 70 | 65 | 419 | 567 | 367 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSE 14 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | NW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | NW 11 | NW 11 | S 10 |
| kJ | 125 | 78 | 144 | 142 | 86 | 37 | 49 | 138 | 296 | 38 | 56 | 49 | 118 | 111 | 162 | 132 | 290 | 366 | 130 | 119 | 171 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NW 9 | NW 5 | — | NW 6 | NW 5 | NNW 7 | — | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 11 | 28 | 186 | 33 | — | 86 | 82 | 142 | — | 145 | — | — | — | — | 43 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 86 | 152 | 0 | 151 | 151 | 0 | 152 | 149 | 0 | 80 | 262 | 0 | 151 | 439 | 0 | 152 | 114 | 0 | 68 | 122 |
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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